Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
City of Hornell, NY
Steuben County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994[1]]
A. 
The Mayor shall appoint members to the Board of Overseers, which members shall be confirmed by the Common Council. The Board shall be made up of five voting members consisting of two members of the Board of Health, the Superintendent of Public Works, one registered plumber and one Common Council member. The Mayor and the Code Enforcement Officer shall be nonvoting members of the Board.
B. 
Each appointee to the Board shall serve a three-year term to be computed from the first day of January following his/her appointment. The terms shall be staggered so that one new member shall be appointed each year. The terms of office at the time of inception of the Board shall vary in order to effectuate yearly vacancies.
C. 
Vacancies occurring by expiration of a term shall be filled by the Mayor for a full term. All other vacancies occurring during the term of office shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term.
D. 
Each voting member shall be entitled to remuneration in the amount of $100 per annum.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law superseded former § 228-1, Applicability of state law, which referred to Article 4 of the General City Law. Chapter 661 of the Laws of 1993 exempted the City of Hornell from the provisions of Article 4 of the General City Law.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
The Board of Overseers shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
To meet at regular intervals and as requested by the Superintendent of Public Works or any two members of the Board.
B. 
To have jurisdiction over and to examine all persons desiring or intending to engage in the trade, business or calling of plumbing as discussed herein.
C. 
To issue certificates of examination to all persons who shall have passed the examinations as required herein and to issue certificates of experience to all persons who shall meet the qualifications and requisites promulgated by the Board and as further set forth herein.
D. 
To formulate administrative rules regulating the work of plumbing and drainage and to set additional qualifications as deemed necessary.
The plumbing and drainage of all buildings, both public and private, in the city shall be executed in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Overseers [1] in conjunction with the Board of Health for plumbing and drainage, and all repairs and alterations in the plumbing and drainage of all buildings heretofore constructed shall also be executed in accordance with such rules and regulations; but this section shall not be construed to repeal any existing provision of law requiring plans for the plumbing and drainage of new buildings to be filed with the Local Board of Health and to be previously approved, in writing, by such Board of Health and to be executed in accordance therewith, except that, in case of any conflict with such plans, rules and regulations of the Board of Overseers, the latter shall govern.
[1]
Editor's Note: The words "Local Board of Examining Plumbers" have been changed here and throughout this chapter, at the request of the city, to "Board of Overseers," in accordance with L.L. No. 2-1994.
[Amended 12-28-1992 by L.L. No. 4-1992]
A. 
In the event of any conflict between this chapter and the plumbing standards of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the provisions of this chapter shall remain in full force and effect.
B. 
In the event of any conflict between this chapter and the plumbing standards of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the terms, conditions and requirements which are the most restrictive shall take precedence and apply.
C. 
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to impair any provision of state law to the extent such law is applicable.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
The definitions given herein deal only with certain terms used in this chapter in the sense that they are used herein. These definitions are not of a general nature and are not generally applicable beyond the sense used in this chapter.
APPROVED
Acceptable to or accepted by the Inspector of Plumbing.
BRANCH
The "branch" of any system of piping is that part of the system which extends horizontally at a slight grade, with or without lateral or vertical extensions or vertical arms, from the main to receive fixture outlets not directly connected to the main.
DEAD END
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent house drain or house sewer which is terminated at a developed distance of two feet or more by means of a cap, plug or other fitting not used for admitting water to the pipe.
HOMEOWNER IN RESIDENCE
A person who holds title to and resides in a residential dwelling.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
HOUSE DRAIN
That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a house drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside the walls of any building and conveys the same to the house sewer beginning five feet outside of the inner face of the building wall.
HOUSE SEWER
That part of the horizontal piping of a house drainage system extending from the house drain five feet outside of the inner face of the building wall to its connection with the public sewer or private disposal plant and conveying the drainage of but one building site.
INTERCONNECTION
A water supply connection to a fixture or a drainage, soil or waste pipe so installed that the contents of the fixture or the drain may enter the water supply line.
JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER
A plumber who has completed an approved apprenticeship program registered with the United States Department of Labor or the New York State Department of Labor or who has had five years' experience under the supervision of the master plumber.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
LABORER
A person who supplies labor under a plumbing contract which does not entail laying or connecting of pipes or any job for which a knowledge of plumbing is required. Such labor shall include but not be limited to digging, lifting, driving, carrying, etc.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
LOCAL VENTILATING PIPE
A pipe through which foul air is removed from a room or fixture.
MAIN
That part of any system of horizontal, vertical or continuous piping which receives the waste, vent or back vents from fixture outlets or traps, directly or through branch pipes.
PERSON
Individual, sole proprietor, partnership or corporation.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
PLUMBING
The art of installing in buildings the pipes, fixtures and other apparatus for bringing in the water supply and removing liquid and water-carried wastes.
PLUMBING FIXTURES
Receptacles intended to receive and discharge water, liquid or water-carried wastes into a drainage system with which they are connected.
PLUMBING SYSTEM
Includes the water supply distributing pipes, the fixtures and fixture traps, the soil, waste and vent pipes, the house drain and the stormwater drainage, with their devices, appurtenances and connections, all within or adjacent to the building.
PROTECTED WASTE PIPE
One from a fixture which is not directly connected to a drain, soil, vent or waste pipe.
RECOGNIZED PROGRAM
A program registered with the United States Department of Labor or the New York State Department of Labor.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
REGISTERED PLUMBER
A plumber registered in accordance with the provisions hereof.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
SIZE AND LENGTH
The given caliber or "size" of a pipe is for a nominal internal diameter, except that, other than iron pipe size, tubing is measured by its outside diameter. The developed "length" of a pipe is its length along the center line of pipe and fittings.
SOIL PIPE
Any pipe which conveys the discharge of water closets, with or without the discharge from other fixtures, to the house drain.
STACK
A general term for any vertical line of soil, waste or vent piping.
TRAP
A fitting or device so constructed as to prevent the passage of air or gas through a pipe without materially affecting the flow of sewage or wastewater through it.
TRAP SEAL
The vertical distance between the crown weir and the dip of the trap.
VENT PIPE
Any pipe provided to ventilate the plumbing system and to prevent trap siphonage and back pressure.
WASTE PIPE and SPECIAL WASTE
A "waste pipe" is any pipe which receives the discharge of any fixture, except water closets and urinals, and conveys the same to the house drain or soil or waste stacks. When such pipe does not connect directly with a house drain or soil stack, it is termed a "special waste."
WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPES
Those which convey water from the service pipe to the plumbing fixtures.
WATER SERVICE PIPE
That pipe from the water main to the building served.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
A. 
Except as provided in § 228-4.5, no person shall engage in the trade, business or calling of plumbing unless he shall first apply for registration with the City of Hornell. Such application for registration shall consist of name, home address (if any), home telephone number (if any), business address (if any), business telephone number (if any) and a summary of the experience and credentials of each prospective registrant.
B. 
No application for registration shall be accepted unless the prospective registrant shall file, together with the aforesaid information, a valid certificate of examination or a valid certificate of experience issued by the Board of Overseers, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
C. 
A registration must be renewed annually and shall be nontransferable.
D. 
A homeowner in residence may not hire any persons under the provisions of this chapter to circumvent the mandatory registration provisions hereof.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
A. 
No person shall undertake a plumbing contract or job in the City of Hornell unless a valid permit is issued by the Code Enforcement Office and is in full force and effect during the execution of said contract or job.
B. 
Except as provided in § 228-4.5, no permit shall be issued unless each and every person who will work under such permit contract or on such job will be directly supervised by a registered plumber.
C. 
No permit shall be issued unless and until a plumber shall first obtain and provide proof of insurance in an amount acceptable to the City Attorney. Said insurance shall consist of general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance and disability insurance as required by law. All policies of insurance shall remain in full force and effect during the effective period of the permit. A lapse in any required policy of insurance shall subject a permit or registration to revocation.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
A. 
The Board of Overseers shall examine or cause to have examined all qualified applicants desiring to obtain a certificate of examination. The Board shall issue a certificate of examination to any person who takes said examination and achieves a passing score.
B. 
The Board of Overseers shall issue a certificate of experience to any person who was a licensed plumber in good standing under the provisions of Article 4 of the General City Law on or before the enactment of L.L. No. 2-1994. [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Local Law No. 2-1994, appearing in this chapter, was adopted under the authority of Ch. 661 of the Laws of 1993, which exempted the City of Hornell from the provisions of Article 4 of the General City Law.
C. 
The Board of Overseers may issue a certificate of experience to any person who can demonstrate an acceptable level of competence in the field of plumbing by virtue of his years of experience under the supervision of a journeyman plumber or a plumber licensed under the provisions of Article 4 of the General City Law on or before the date of enactment of L.L. No. 2-1994. The issuance of a certificate of experience under this subsection is wholly within the discretion of the Board. In no event shall a certificate of experience be issued unless a plumber has at least five years of experience in the field of plumbing.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
A. 
The Board of Overseers shall establish the amount which is to be the annual registration fee to be collected by the City of Hornell from persons applying for registration under this chapter. Fees shall run on a calendar-year basis terminating on December 31 of each year. The registration fee amount may be reviewed annually and amended as the Board deems to be appropriate.
B. 
The registration fee shall be a lump sum amount and shall not prorated for a portion of calendar year, nor shall it be returned in whole or any part should registration terminate prior to completion of the calendar year.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
A. 
A homeowner in residence may perform plumbing work in his or her home without registration, provided that the work does not extend beyond the exterior walls of the structure, excepting that the homeowner in residence may perform excavations and laying of pipes for water and sewer services to his residence. In no case shall the homeowner in residence perform connections to the main sewers or to the city's waterlines.
B. 
A homeowner in residence must possess a valid permit pursuant to § 228-4.2A.
C. 
A laborer shall be exempt from the registration requirements hereof.
D. 
A journeyman plumber may work under a contract and not be registered, provided that:
(1) 
The person is a journeyman; and
(2) 
A valid permit has been issued to a registered plumber.
E. 
An apprentice may work under a contract and not be registered, provided that:
(1) 
The person is an apprentice; and
(2) 
A valid permit has been issued to a registered plumber.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
A. 
The city shall appoint a qualified Plumbing Inspector to conduct inspections on new construction and other plumbing work and for the purpose of enforcing this chapter and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
B. 
Costs of correcting errors pursuant to a follow-up inspection shall be borne by the plumber who performed the work.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
A. 
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or any rules or regulations of the Department of Health or any provisions of the Plumbing Code regulating the plumbing and drainage of buildings in the City of Hornell shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, if a master or employing plumber, shall in addition forfeit his registration.
B. 
Violations of the Plumbing Code shall be prosecuted as an offense against the law. Upon conviction, the penalty shall be a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each offense; and further, the offender shall be compelled to make immediate corrections to the work as necessary to comply with the Plumbing Code.
[Added 6-27-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]
This chapter shall apply to persons who perform plumbing work on sewer and water mains on the city system, even though such lines may be located outside of the corporate limits of the City of Hornell.
There shall be appointed as provided by law an Inspector or Inspectors of Plumbing, whose duties, in addition to those prescribed by law and those which may be enjoined or required by the Board of Health, shall be to inspect the construction and alteration of all plumbing work performed in the city and to report, in writing, the results of such inspections to the Board of Health. Said Inspector or Inspectors shall also report in like manner any person engaged in or carrying on the business of employing plumber without having the certificate provided for in Article II of this chapter. Such Inspector or Inspectors shall be citizens and actual residents of the city in which they are appointed, and before entering upon the discharge of their duties as such Inspector or Inspectors, they shall each be required to obtain a certificate of competency from the Board of Overseers.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The words "Local Board of Examining Plumbers" have been changed here and throughout this chapter, at the request of the city, to "Board of Overseers," in accordance with L.L. No. 2-1994.
Whenever the Plumbing Inspector or other person reports a violation of any rules and regulations for plumbing and drainage or a deviation from any officially approved plan or specification for plumbing and drainage filed with any board or department, the Local Board of Health shall first serve a notice of the violation thereof upon the master plumber doing the work, if a registered plumber.
The notice provided for in § 228-6 may be served personally or by mail, and if by mail, it may be addressed to such master plumber at the address registered by him with the Local Board of Health, but the failure of a master plumber to register will relieve the Board of Health from the requirement of giving notice of violation. Unless the violation is removed within three days after the day of serving or mailing such notice, exclusive of the day of serving or mailing, the Board of Health may proceed according to law.