1981-020 NO gl-20
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 17 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF
THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS IN ITS ENTIRETY BY PROVIDING A SHORT
TITLE, ADOPTING THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE (1979 EDITION) WITH
CERTAIN DELETIONS AND AMENDMENTS, PROVIDING FOR PURPOSE AND
INTENT, APPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS, DEFINING ADMINISTRATIVE
AUTHORITY, PLUMBING INSPECTIONS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST,
LIABILITY OF INSPECTIONS, AUTHORITY AND ENFORCEMENT, REGULATING
THE INSTALLATION, ALTERATION, OR REPAIRS OF PIPES, FITTINGS AND
FIXTURES FOR WATER, SEWERAGE, GAS AND GENERAL "PLUMBING" IN ALL
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES WITHIN THE CITY, PROVIDING FOR PERMITS
AND FEES PROVIDING FOR ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS, ESTABLISHING
A PLUMMING AND MECHANICAL CODE BOARD, ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES
FOR APPEAL TO SAID BOARD, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF
PRIOR ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF NOT IN CONFLICT THEREWITH,
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING A PENALTY AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, HEREBY ORDAINS
PART I
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Denton, Texas is
hereby amended by repealing in its entirety Chapter 17 of said
Code Artlcle 1-4 Sections 17-1 through and including 17-29, and
by enacting in place of sa~d repealed provisions of said
Chapter 17, the following Articles, which shall hereafter read
as follows
CHAPTER 17
PLUMBING CODE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
SECTION 17-1 SHORT TITLE 2
SECTION 17-2 ADOPTING UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE 2-6
SECTION 17-5 PURPOSE, INTENT ~ SCOPE 6
SECTION 17-4 APPLICABILITY 6
SECTION 17-5 ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 6
SECTION 17-6 PLUMBING INSPECTORS 6
SECTION 17-7 DUTIES 7
SECTION 17-8 CONFLICT OF INTEREST 7
SECTION 17-9 LIABILITY OF INSPECTORS 8
SECTION 17-10 AUTHORITY § ENFORCEMENT 8
SECTION 17-11 INSTALLATION REGULATIONS GENERALLY 8-9
SECTION 17-12 DANGEROUS ~ INSANITARY CONSTRUCTION 10
SECTION 17-15 VIOLATIONS ~ PENALTIES 10-11
SECTION 17-14 APPEALS FROM DECISIONS OF INSPECTORS 11
SECTION 17-15 HEARINGS BY THE BOARD 11
SECTION 17-16 TAGS ~ SEALS 11
SECTION 17-17 PERMIT REQUIRED 11
SECTION 17-18 WORK NOT REQUIRING A PERMIT 11-12
SECTION 17-19 PERSONS TO WHOM PERMITS MAY BE ISSUED 12
SECTION 17-20 NOTIFICATION 12
SECTION 17-21 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT 13
SECTION 17-22 FEES (COST OF PERMIT) 13-14
SECTION 17-25 GENERAL VARIANCES 14-15
SECTION 17-24 SPECIFIC VARIANCES 1S
SECTION 17-2S REVIEW BY BOARD 1S
SECTION 17-26 CREATION 15
SECTION 17-27 PROCEDURE IN REMOVAL OF MEMBERS
FROM OFFICE 1S
SECTION 17-28 CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY, QUORUM, OFFICE
SUPPLIES, POWERS § DUTIES GENERALLY 15-16
SECTION 17-29 APPEAL TO PLUMBING ~ MECHANICAL CODE BOARD 16-17
ARTICLE I GENERAL
SECTION 17-1 SHORT TITLE
Thls Chapter may be cited as the Denton Plumbing Code
SECTION 17-2 ADOPTING UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE
{a) The Uniform Plumbing Code, 1979 Ed~txon, as recommended
by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials and adopted at the Forty-Ninth Annual Conference,
September of 1978, is hereby adopted and designated as the
Plumbing Code of the City of Denton, Texas, the same as though
said volume of such code were copied at length here~n, subject
to the deletions and amendments enumerated hereinafter
el} Delete Part 1, Administration
Amend Section 317Ca) to read (a) No Requirements
Add Section 317Ce) to read Ce) Ail underground
lines shall be run in separate ditches except
that water and gas lines or water and sewer l~nes
may be run in the same ditch when all the
following conditions are met
(1) Ditches are dug at lease 18 inches w~de
C2} Water and gas lines or water and sewer
l~nes shall be at least 12 ~nches apart
measured horizontally between outside
surfaces
C3} When gas lines are steel, wrapped or
extrusion coated to prevent corrosion
C4) The bottom of water lines at all points
shall be at least 12 inches above the
top of the sewer line and the water
servxce shall be placed on a solid shelf
excavated at one s~de of the common
dxtch
CS} Bach llne must rest on undisturbed or
compact earth
[4) Amend Section 318 2lb} to read as follows
Media - The p~plng of the plumbing, drainage and
venting systems shall be tested with water or
air The Administrative Authority may require
the removal of any cleanouts, etc , to ascertain
if the pressure has reached all parts of the
system After the plumbing fixtures have been
set and their traps filled with water, they shall
be submtted to a final test Ail fixtures
designed to retain water, such as lavatories,
s~nks, bathtubs, laundry trays, etc , shall be
f~lled w~th water to the overflow level and shall
retain same for f~fteen (1~) m~nutes w~thout
leakage
CS) Amend Section 401Ca) to read as follows Ca)
Drainage pipe shall be cast iron, galvanized
steel, galvanized wrought iron, lead, copper,
brass, ABS, PVC or other approved materials
having a smooth and uniform bore, except 1
That no galvanized wrought ~ron or galvanized
steel p~pe shall be used underground and shall be
kept at least slx C6) Inches (152 4mm) above
ground 2 ABS and PVC ~nstallatlons are
PAGE 2
permitted in buildings not exceeding three (3)
stories in height
(6) Amend Section 406(1) to read as follows
Cleanout fittings shall be not less in size than
those given in Table 2-5, Cleanouts serving
residential buildings of not more than four (4)
family units, where located outside the building
in unpaved areas and within three (3) feet of the
building exterior wall line, may be terminated
SlX (6) inches below finished grade, and all such
cleanouts shall be provided with a brass disk,
not less than one (1) inch in diameter, stamped
"CO", and attached to the building wall with a
concrete nail twelve (12) inches above the
finished grade directly in line with the
cleanout Cleanouts located under cover plates
shall be so installed as to provide the
clearances and accessibility required by this
section Cleanout cover plates in floors shall
be two-piece cast brass type, arranged for flush
mounting
(7) Amend Section 608(c) to read as follows No
domestic dlshwashlng machine shall be directly
connected to a drainage system or food waste
disposer without
(1) An approved dishwasher air-gap fitting
on the discharge side of the dishwasher,
or
(2) The waste line from the dlshwashlng
machine shall be looped upward as high
as possible beneath the dralnboard
either internally or externally to the
machine and provided with a brass
horizontal swing check valve at the
point of connection to the sink waste or
garbage disposal outlet
(8) Amend Section 805(b) to read No Requirements
(9) Amend Section 1003(h) to read as follows (h)
Lawn sprinkler systems shall have a cut-off valve
at each point where the sprinkler system is
connected to the potable water supply and shall
be further equipped with an approved vacuum
breaker on the discharge side of each cut-off
valve Each vacuum breaker shall be installed at
least six (6) inches above the surrounding ground
and in no case lower than the highest sprinkler
head served by it Systems with zone control
valves which allow the vacuum breaker to remain
under pressure shall be provided with a pressure
type vacuum breaker which has been approved for
this type of application
(10) Add Section 1010 as follows
Section 1010 Size of Potable Water Piping in
Residential and Small Commercial Installations
(a) The size of water service lines to buildings
in this category shall conform to Table
10-3 The water service line shall extend
undiminished in size from the water meter to
the water heater or if no water heater exists
to the first opening
PAGE 3
TABLE 10- 3
~/ATER SERVICE LINE SIZES
NUMBER OF LENGTH OF RUN, METER TO BUILDING
FIXTURES 0' S0 Sl' - 100 101' ~ UP
I-OS 3/4" 314" 3/4"
6-10 3/4" 3/4" 1"
ll-lS 1" 1" 1"
16-20 1" 1" 1-1/4"
21-40 1-1/4" 1-1/4" 2"
(b) The size of water piping w~thln bulldxngs in
this category, or branch lines connected to
water service lines, shall conform to Table
10-4
TABLE 10-4
BRANCH WATER LINE SIZES
[MINIMUM)
NUMBER OF LENGTH OF RUN OF BRANCH
FIXTURES 0' 2S 26' - S0 Si' ~ UP
I 112" 112" 112"
2 1/2" 1/2" 3/4"
3-06 3/4" 3/4" 3/4"
7-10 3/4" 3/4" 1"
11-18 1" 1" 1"
19-40 1-1/4" 1-1/2" 1-1/Z"
(c) For the purposes of Tables 10-3 and 10-4, any
fixture with a flushometer valve shall be
counted as four fixtures, and any fixture or
equipment item other than a water closet,
lavatory, sink, bathtub, shower, urinal,
service sink, or drinking fountain shall be
considered as that number of fixtures
corresponding to the lower limit of any
fixture range matching in the 0-25' category
the connection size to such fixture
(d) Potable water systems serving in excess of
forty (40) fixtures, or their equivalent as
defined herein, shall be sized in accordance
with Section 1009
(11) Amend Section 1201 as follows Sec 1201 General
The regulations of this Chapter shall govern the
installation of all fuel gas piping in or in
connection with any building or structure or
within the property lines of any premises, other
than service pipe All service piping or serwce
lines shall be installed in accordance with the
Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials
Regulations Board Specifications, Subpart H, as
written in the Federal Register Volume 3S, No
161, Part II, August 19, 1970 or as amended
thereafter and as specified under Subpart I, as
added August 1, 1971
(12) Add Section 1203(c) to read as follows (c) It
shall be unlawful for the gas service to be turned
on in any building which has been damaged by f~re
PAGB 4
without the owner or h~s plumbing contractor f~rst
obtaining a plumbing permit and testing the gas
piping in accordance with Section 1206 of this
code
Amend Section 1210 to read as follows Sec 1210
- Temporary Use of Gas
Where temporary use of gas ~s desired and the
Administrative Authority deems the use necessary,
a permit may be issued for such use for a period
of time not to exceed s~xty (60) days, prowded
that such gas piping system otherwise conforms to
the requirements of this code regarding mater~al,
sizing and safety
Amend Section 1507 to read as follows Section
1507 - Enclosures and Combustion A~r
(a) No water heater shall be placed more than four
(4) feet and six (6) inches above the floor of
the room or closet ~n which the heater ~s
located
(b) Provide ventilation and combustion a~r supply
openings ~n each room or enclosure ~n which a
water heater is located Each opening shall
have a minimum free area of twelve (12) square
inches However, appliances of more than
40,000 B T U H input shall have one (1)
square inch of free area per 1,000 B T U H
(c) The method of supplying air shall be as
follows
(1) From ventilated attic, provide one 26
gauge galvanized ~ron alcove through
ceiling to two (2) inches above top
of 3olnts and with 1/4 ~nch mesh
screen over top end Also prowde a
separate galvanized iron duct from
attic space as described above to
within twelve (12) inches of the
floor Stud space may be used for
lower opening provided a suitable box
is furnished to connect top of stud
space to attic as d~rected ~n (1)
aeove and m~nlmum area ~s
maintained A galvanized ~ron box
shall be installed ~n lower opening,
open at the bottom, to prevent lower
opening from being blocked by storage
if stud space is used
(2) From outside, prowde upper and lower
openings screened w~th 1/4 ~nch mesh
screen, of free area outlined ~n (1)
above Lower open~ngs may also
connect to crawl space provided it is
ventilated Bach lower opening
method shall be provided with a
galvanized ~ron box to prevent
storage blocking Any combination of
upper and lower openings w~ll be
permitted
(5) Ventilation and combustion a~r
openings shall xn no case be
connected to the occupied space ~n a
buildxng
{b} All plumbing pipes, fittings and f~xtures for water and
sewerage, and methods of Installation shall comply with the
requirements of the Uniform Plumbing Code, 1979 Edition, and
the deletions and amendments enumerated under subsection {a) of
this section
(c) It shall be unlawful for any ~nd~vldual, corporation or
association to wolate any provision of th~s ordinance
SECTION 17-3 PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE
[a} For the protection and preservation of lxfe and of the
public health, safety, property and general welfare of the
people, the following provisions are enacted relating to the
~nstallat~on, alteration, or repairs of pipes, f~ttlngs and
fixtures for water, sewerage, gas and general "plumbing" in all
buildings and structures and on all property now erected, to be
erected, altered, moved, replaced, repaired, converted or
maintained w~th~n the legal ~ur~sdlct~on of the City of Denton
and outside this jurisdiction ~f the same be connected to
e~ther the City water or sewerage systems
{b} Further, it ~s the intent of this Chapter to assure
that "plumbing" is kept ~n a safe and sanitary condition, and
shall not become a menace to public health, safety or welfare
[c} The scope of the Chapter ~s to prowde m~nlmum safety
and health requirements for design, Installation, inspection
and performance of plumbing equipment and systems, Including
water supply and d~strlbut~on, gas, drainage and venting
systems
[d) Existing "plumbing" hereafter altered, moved or
converted to a new use or connected to the water or sewage
systems of the City of Denton and shall be made sanitary and
safe according to the standards set forth in this Chapter
{e) Rxlstlng "plumbing" that has been damaged by fire or
has become unsafe or unsanitary to such an extent as to be
deemed a nuisance shall be removed, abated, or repaired to
conform to the standards of this Chapter
If) Ail "plumbing" work shall be done by competent persons
working under the authority of permits ~ssued by the Plumbing
Inspector of the C~ty of Denton
SECTION 17-4 APPLICABILITY
{a) The provisions hereof shall apply with equal force to
all buildings, structures, and premises, whether public or
private within the legal 3ur~sd~ct~on of the City of Denton and
to those located outside when connected to the water or sewage
system of the City of Denton Only buildings owned and
occupied by the United States Government or the State of Texas
shall be exempt
SECTION 17-5 ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY
The administration and enforcement of this Chapter is
hereby assigned to and shall be the responsibility of the
Director of Public Works for the City of Denton
SECTION 17-6 PLUMBING INSPBCTORS
The person chosen to perform the duties of Plumbing
Inspector shall be of good moral character, shall be possessed
of such executive ability as is required for the performance of
his duties and shall hold and keep in force a Plumbing
Inspector's L~cense ~ssued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing
Examiners
PAGE
SECTION 17-7 DUTIES
It shall be the duty of a plumbing inspector under the
Building Official to enforce the provisions of this Chapter and
any amendments thereto and to investigate promptly any
complaints concerning violations He shall also perform the
following duties
(a) Require submission of, examine and check plans and
specifications, drawings, descriptions and/or
diagrams as deemed necessary to show clearly the
character, kind and extent of work covered by
applications for a permit and upon approval
thereof shall issue the permit applied for
(b) Prepare the necessary documents for the collection
of fees for permits issued and other monies to be
collected and received as provided by this
Chapter, obtain the names of the persons upon
whose account the same are to be paid, the date
and amount thereof, together with the location of
the premises to which they relate
(c) Administer and enforce the provisions of this
Chapter in a manner consistent with the intent
thereof and shall inspect all plumbing and
drainage work authorized by any permit to assure
compliance herewith or amendments approving or
condemning said work in whole or in part as
conditions require
(d) Issue upon request a Certificate of Approval for
any work approved by him
(e) Condemn and re3ect all work done or being done or
materials used or being used which do not in all
respects comply with the provisions of this
Chapter and amendments
(f) Order changes in workmanship and/or materials
essential to obtain compliance with all provisions
of this Chapter
(g) Investigate any construction or work regulated by
this Chapter and issue such notices and orders as
provided herein
(h) Keep a complete record of all essential
transactions of his office
(1) Maintain an official register of all persons,
firms or corporations lawfully entitled to carry
on or engage in the business of plumbing in the
City and to keep on file a current roster of
licensed plumbers doing work in the legal
3urlsdlctlon of the City as furnished by persons,
firms, or corporations doing plumbing work
SECTION 17-8 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
It shall be unlawful for the person or persons performing
plumbing inspections to engage in the business of selling,
installing, or maintenance of plumbing fixtures, devices,
services, equipment, or materials and they shall have no
financial interest in any concern engaged ~n such business at
any time while in the employ of the City
PAGE 7
SECTION 17-9 LIABILITY OF INSPECTORS
Where action zs taken by the Chief Plumbing Inspector or
any Plumbing Inspector to enforce the provisions of th~s
Chapter, such action shall be in the name of, and on behalf of
the C~ty, and the ~nspectors ~n so acting for the Czty shall
not render themselves personally l~able for any damage which
may accrue to persons or property as a result of such action
committed ~n good faith in the d~scharge of their duties
SECTION 17-10 AUTHORITY AND ENFORCEMENT
(a) The Plumbing Inspectors shall have the authority to
~ssue c~tatlons to any person who wolates any prows~on of
th~s Chapter
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person upon
being ~ssued a c~tat~on to ~ntent~onally
or knowingly g~ve the Plumbing Inspector
other than h~s true name and address
(2) It shall be unlawful to ~ntent~onally or
knowingly fail to appear ~n accordance
w~th the terms of a c~tat~on ~ssued by
the Plumbing Inspector
(b) Wzth the approval of the D~rector of Public Works and
upon adwce of the C~ty Attorney, a Plumbing Inspector may call
upon the Pohce Department for a~d and assistance ~n stopping
the work or arresting persons who wolate any prows~ons of
th~s Chapter and if proper cause exists ~t shall be the duty of
the Police Department to make such arrests and render such a~d
and assistance promptly
(c) Plumbing Inspectors, upon presentation of proper
credentials during usual bus~ness hours, shall have the r~ght
to enter any building or premises of public accommodation ~n
the discharge of their official duties, or for the purpose of
making any inspection, re-~nspect~on, or test required by th~s
Chapter, subject to prevailing law
(d) Each Plumbing Inspector shall have the authorization
to ~nspect and re~nspect plumbing, to prevent the connection
of plumbing to C~ty mains and sewers, to prevent the covering
up of plumbing which has not been approved, to ~ssue notices or
affix them to plumbing or structures, and to condemn plumbing,
and shall have such other powers as are prowded ~n this
Chapter
SECTION 17-11 INSTALLATION REGULATIONS GENERALLY
All plumbing, plumbing f~xtures, gas p~p~ng, gas f~red
appliances, and all p~p~ng or other elements of plumbing
systems shall be ~nstalled so as to prowde
(a) Protection of potable water
(b) D~sposal of water-borne wastes ~n such a manner as
to ~nsure protection against hazards to health
(c) Installation of gas p~p~ng and gas fired
appl~cances ~n a manner that w~ll ~nsure
protection of hfe and property
(d) Successful operation and performance, and
(e) Conformance to the m~n~mum standards as set out ~n
th~s Chapter
PAGE 8
PROTECTION OF DENTON WATERWORKS SYSTEM
(a) Ail meters, curb cocks~ valves, and meter boxes
connected with the C~ty mains and service pipes,
including those furnished at the expense of the
consuuners or property owners shall remain under
the direct control of the Department of Public
Utilities and ~t shall be unlawful for any person
or persons other than those l~censed to do
plumbing or those with special permission from the
C~ty Otlllty Department to connect, d~sconnect
move or tamper with any such meter or to turn on
or off the water at the curb cock, valve, or meter
box in any way except w~th a regulation meter
brass key
(b) No by-pass or connection between the meter and the
main shall be made, maintained or permitted except
upon written permission from the City of Denton,
Department of Public Utilities
OTHER CITY ORDINANCES
Ordinances dealing w~th building construction,
standards of housing, and all other provisions of the
Code of Ordinances, insofar as they apply shall govern
the ~nstallatxon of plumbing in the same manner as if
such regulations were set forth in this Chapter
Throughout this Chapter references are made to other
codes and ordinances wherever applicable
WORKMANSHIP
Workmanship shall be of a character to fully secure
the results sought in all of the sections of this
Chapter and same shall be done in a workmanlike manner
PROTECTION OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND WIRING
No water or drainage p~pxng shall be located over
electrical machxnery, wiring or equipment which is
readily susceptible to water damage, unless adequate
protection is provided against drip from such pxplng
P~p~ng which is ~n such poslt~on or condition that
there exists a possibility that potable water or food,
medical, or surgical supplies or equipment may be
contaminated shall be relocated
TEMPORARY TOILET FACILITIES
Where to~let facilities are made available for the use
of workmen during the construction of any building
they shall be maintained in a sanitary condition
PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS FROM RAT INFESTATION
(a) Upon completion of the plumbing system, holes made
in exterior walls for installation of plumbing
p~pes shall be f~lled with a three (3") inch
thickness of concrete or if twelve (12") ~nches
above ground, may be covered with solid galvanized
sheet metal of twenty-four (24) gauge or heavier
(b) For re-~nspect~on purposes, ~nsanltary conditions
shall be deemed to exist if there ~s a one-half
(1/2") inch or larger opening around plumbing in
the exterior walls or floors of buildings
PAGE 9
SECTION 17-1Z DANGEROUS AND INSANITARY CONSTRUCTION
(a) Any portion of a plumbing system found by the Plumbing
Inspector or by the Chief Building Official to be ~nsanltary as
defined herein is hereby declared to be a nuisance and unlawful
(b) Whenever brought to the attention of the department
hawng 3ur~sdlctlon that any ~nsan~tary conditions ex~st or
that any construction or work regulated by this Chapter ~s
dangerous, unsafe, insanitary, a nuisance or a menace to llfe,
health or property or otherwise ~n wolat~on of th~s Chapter,
the sa~d department may request an investigation by the
Bu~ld,ng 0fflc~al, who, upon determining such ~nformat~on to be
fact, shall order any person, f~rm or corporation using or
maintaining any such condition or responsible for the use or
maintenance thereof to d~scontlnue the use or maintenance
thereof or to repair, alter, change, remove or demolish same as
he may consider necessary for the proper protection of life,
health or property, and in the case of any gas piping or gas
appliance may order any person, f~rm or corporation, supplying
gas to such piping or appliance to d~scont~nue supplying gas
thereto until such piping or appliance ~s made safe to life,
health or property
Every such order shall be in writing, addressed to the
owner, agent or person responsible for the premises in which
such condition exists and shall specify the date or t~me for
compliance with such order
(c) Refusal, failure or neglect to comply w~th any such
notice or order shall be considered a wolat~on of th~s
Chapter, and ~s declared to be a misdemeanor
(d) When any plumbing system is maintained in wolat~on of
this Chapter and in wolatlon of any not~ce or citation ~ssued
pursuant to the provisions contained herein, or where a
nuisance exists in any building or habitation or on a lot which
a building or habitation is s~tuated, or any ground under which
there is plumbing, the Plumbing Inspector, with the advice and
consent of the Director of Public Works and the City Attorney,
shall institute any appropriate action or proceeding in any
Court Of competent 3urlsdlctlon to prevent, restrain, correct
or abate the violation or nuisance
(e) In cases of emergency, when necessary for safety to
persons or property or when plumbing or gas connections may
interfere w~th the work of the F~re Department, the Sen~or
Officer of the Fire Department at the s~te at the time, shall
have the authority to Immediately d~sconnect any plumbing,
water service or gas service
SECTION 17-13 VIOLATIONS ~ PENALTIES
Any person, f~rm or corporation wolat~ng any provision of
th~s Chapter shall be deemed guilty of a m~sdemeanor and upon
conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed
Two Hundred ($200 00) Dollars for each offense
The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans
and specifications shall not be deemed or construed to be a
permit, or an approval of, any wolat~on of any prowslons of
th~s Chapter No permit presuming to give authority to wolate
or cancel any provision of this Chapter shall be valid, except
~nsofar as the work or use which ~t authorized ~s lawful The
~ssuance or grant~ng of a permit or approval of plans shall not
prevent the Plumbing Inspector from thereafter requiring the
correction of error ~n said plans and specifications or from
preventing construction operations being carried on thereunder
when in violation of this Chapter or of any other ordinance or
from revoking any Certificate of Approval when issued in error
PAGE 10
Every permit issued under the prows~ons of this Chapter
shall expzre by limitation and become null and void, ~f the
work authorized by such permzt ~s not commenced w~thln sixty
(60] days from date of such permit, or ~f the work authorized
by such permit ~s suspended or abandoned at any t~me after the
work ~s commenced for a period of one hundred twenty (120)
days Before such work can be recommenced a new permit shall
be first obtained to do so, and the fee therefore shall be
one-half (1/2) the amount required for a new permit for such
work provided no changes have been made, or w~11 be made ~n the
original plans and specifications for such work, and provided,
further, that such suspens,on or abandonment has not exceeded
one (1) year
SECTION 17-14 APPEALS FROM DECISIONS OF INSPECTORS
Any person, f~rm or corporation aggrieved by any
~nterpretatlon of th~s Chapter or by any ruling or decision by
a plumbing ~nspector, may w~th~n f~ve (S) days f~le w~th the
Bulld~ng Official a petition ~n writing requesting a rewew of
the plumbing ~nspectors decision The Building Official shall
personally determine the facts and w~thln a reasonable perxod
thereafter he shall make a ruling ~n accordance w~th his
f~nd~ngs H~s ruling shall be f~nal and b~nd~ng on all
part~es, prowded, however, that appeal may be taken to the
Plumbing and Mechanical Code Board as prowded ~n th,s Chapter
SECTION 17-1S HEARINGS BY THE BOARD
W~th~n a per~od of ten (10) days from the f~l~ng of an
appeal the board shall hear the appeal, together w~th testimony
of all part~es concerned, and render a f~nal decision thereon
within three (5} days from the close of the hearing
SECTION 17~16 TAGS ~ SEALS
Plumb,ng Inspectors are hereby empowered to attach to
plumbing f~xtures, equipment, pipes, and other parts of the
plumbing system or premises any official not~ce or seal, and ~t
shall be unlawful for any other person to place or attach such
not~ce, tag or seal or to remove, break, change, destroy, tear
alter, mutilate, cover or otherwise deface or ~n3ure any such
official not~ce or seal
ARTICLE II PERMITS ~ FEES
SECTION 17-17 PERMIT REQUIRED
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, f~rm or
corporation to install, remove, alter, repair or replace any
plumbing, gas or drainage piping work, or any f~xture or water
heating or treating equipment in a building or premises,
swimming pool, lawn sprinkling system, or lnstallat~on where
cross connection m~ght occur, without f~rst obtaining a permit
to do such work
[b] A separate permit shall be obtained for each building
or structure
(c] No person shall allow any other person to do or cause
to be done any work under a permit secured by a Perm~ttee
except persons ~n h~s employ
SECTION 17-18 WORK NOT REQUIRING A PERMIT
No plumbing permit ~s required to do the work specified ~n
the following paragraphs
(a] The maintenance, repair or replacement ~n k~nd of
PAGE 11
(1) Yard hydrants and house spigots,
(2) Gravity flush valves and float-balls
in water closet tanks,
(3) Accessible traps on lavatories or
sinks,
[4) Replacing of plumbing fixtures where
no change in "roughing-in" is
involved, except that a permit shall
be required for the replacement of
water heaters and boilers
(b) The removal of plumbing from a building or structure or
port,on thereof being razed, when the water supply and drainage
lines have been disconnected under a permit in an approved
manner
(c) Work involved ~n the manufacture of plumbing suppliers
plumbing £1xtures, plumbing apparatus such as repair,
adjusting, or testing of the same ~n the course of manufacture
(d) Work involved in the setting up for display of plumbing
or plumbing fixtures when not connected to supply or drainage
lines in plumbing sales establishment
(e) The installation of storm water drains for single
family and two family dwellings prowded, however, that such
installations conform to the requirements of th~s Chapter
SECTION 17-19 PERSONS TO WHOM PERMITS MAY BE ISSUED
(a) Any Master Plumber currently l~censed by the State
Board of Plumbing Examiners, registered with the City as a
contractor or in the employ of a registered plumbing contractor
(b) A homeowner to make repairs or modifications to a
single family dwelling owned and occupied by him as his home
and when all materials are purchased by him and all labor
performed by him or by a person not employed as a plumber for
the general public
(c) Any appliance dealer or employee of an appliance dealer
who is acting as an appliance installation man or appliance
service man in connecting appliances to ex~st~ng piping
properly installed to service an appliance
(d) Any maintenance man or maintenance engineer, for work
~ncldental to and in connection with the bus~ness in which he
is employed and who does not engage in the occupation of a
plumber for the general public
SECTION 17~20 NOTIFICATION
It shall be the duty of the person, firm or corporation
doing the work authorized by the permit to notify the Plumbing
Inspector orally or in writing, that sa~d work is ready for
inspection Such notification shall be given not less than
twenty-four (24) hours before the work is to be inspected
Inspections shall be made within twenty-four (24) hours,
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excluded
It shall be the responsibility of the person doing the work
authorized by the permit to make sure that the work will stand
the tests prescribed in this Chapter before g~vlng the above
notification
PAGE 12
SECTION 17-21 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT
(a) An application for a plumblpg describing the
work to be 5one, shall be made to the ~f~f of the Plumbing
Inspector by the Licensed Master Plumber or authorized person
who proposes to do the plumbing work The application shall be
accompanied by such information, plans, specifications,
drawings and descriptions as deemed necessary or required to
determine whether the installation described will conform to
the requirements of this Chapter
(b) When the installation as described conforms with the
legal requirements and the applicant has complied with the
provisions of this Chapter, a permit shall be issued upon
payment of the required fee as hereinafter fixed
(c) No permit shall be issued or be valid for the
installation of any plumbing or plumbing system which causes a
violation of the Mechanical Code, Building Code, Zoning
Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Requirements of the Texas
Water Quality Control Board or other applicable provisions of
the Code of Ordinances of the City of Denton
SECTION 17-22 FEES (COST OF PERMIT)
Every applicant for a permit to do work regulated by this
Chapter shall state in writing, on the application form
provided for that purpose, the character of work proposed to be
done and the amount and kind in connection therewith, together
with such information, pertinent thereto as may be required
Such applicant shall pay for each permit issued at the time
of issuance, a fee in accordance with the following schedule,
and at the rate provided for each classification shown herein
Any person who shall commence any work for which a permit
is required by this Chapter without first having obtained a
permit therefor shall, if subsequently permitted to obtain a
permit, pay double the permit fee fixed by this section for
such work, provided, however, that this provision shall not
apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the
satisfaction of the Plumbing Inspector that such work was
urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a
permit therefor before the commencement of the work In all
such cases a permit must be obtained as soon as It is practical
to do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining
such permit, a double fee as herein provided shall be charged
For the purpose of this section a sanitary plumbing outlet
on or to which a plumbing fixture or appliance may be set or
attached shall be construed to be a fixture The fee for
reconnectlon of existing plumbing fixtures, gas systems, water
heaters, etc , which require testing shall be the same as
indicated in the plumbing fee schedule
When interceptor traps or house trailer site traps are
installed at the same time as a building sewer on any lot, no
sewer permit shall be required for the connection of any such
trap to an appropriate inlet fitting provided in the building
sewer by the permlttee constructing such sewer
When a permit has been obtained to connect an existing
building or existing work to the public sewer or to connect a
new private disposal facility, backfilling of private sewage
disposal facilities abandoned consequent to such connection is
included in the building sewer permit
PAGE 15
PLHMBING PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE
Water Closets Farst F~xture $ S 00
Next Nane $ 1 60 each
Over Ten $ 1 40 each
Water Heaters $ 1 60
Lavatories $ 1 60
K~tchen Sanks $ 1 60
Bar S~nks $ 1 60
Slop Sinks $ 1 60
Bathtub $ 1 60
Shower $ 1 60
Dasposal $ 1 60
Grease Trap $ 1 60
Urinals $ 1 60
Floor Draans $ 1 60
Temporary Gas $10 00
Washing Machines $ 1 60
Drxnk~ng Fountaxns $ 1 60
Sand Traps $ 1 60
Hose Bxbbs $ 1 60
Septic Tanks $ 8 00
Lawn Sprinkler $ 8 00
Gas $ 4 00 each
Sewer $ 6 00 each
Gasolane Tanks $ 8 00
Water Serwce $ 4 00
Man,mum Fee $10 00
Re~nspectzon $10 00
ARTICLE III ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 17-23 GENERAL VARIANCES
(a) The provas~ons of thas Chapter are not ~ntended to
prevent the use of types of alternate types of construction or
materials not spec~facally reqmred by thas Chapter, but such
alternate types of constructaon or materaals to be g~ven
consideration shall be offered for approval as sufficient,
safe, sanitary, and equal to the standards set out an thas
Chapter
(b) Any person desiring to use types of construction or
materaals not specaf~cally authorized by thas Chapter shall
f~le w~th the Plumbing Inspector competent and reliable
ewdence ~n support of claims that may be made regardang the
sufficIency of such types of construction and materials and
request approval and permission for their use
(c) Whenever the Plumbing Inspector f~nds that any mater~al
or method of construction does not conform to the requirements
of th~s Chapter, or that there ~s not suffac~ent evadence to
substantiate claims for alternate materials or methods of
constructaon, he may requare tests by an approved agency as
proof of compliance or equality as provaded here~n
(d) Tests shall be made ~n accordance w~th generally
recognized standards for the mater~al or construction ~n
questxon, but xn the absence of such standards, the Plumbang
Inspector shall specafy the test procedure Duly authentacated
tests by a competent person or laboratory may be accepted by
h~m ~n lxeu of such tests under has own superws~on Copxes of
the results of all such tests shall be kept on f~le xn the
offxce of the Plumbxng Inspector for a perxod of not less than
two years after acceptance
(e) Materxals and constructxon whxch have been approved
shall be used and xnstalled xn accordance wath the terms of
approval Ail such approvals and the condxtxons under whxch
PAGE 14
they are issued shall be specific, shall be reasonable, shall
not create an in3ustice, and shall be made a matter of public
record
Special ruling necessary to cover future construction or
installation not specifically covered by this Chapter shall be
made by the Plumbing Inspector and future construction shall
conform to such ruling The ruling shall be effective after
approval by the Plumbing and Mechanical Code Board A copy
shall be filed in the permanent records of the Chief Plumbing
Inspector
SECTION 17-24 SPECIFIC VARIANCES
Specific variances to cope with unusual construction
problems may be made by the Plumbing Inspector in the following
particular cases
(a) To reconstruct existing plumbing
(b) To install new plumbing in old buildings
The variances shall be specific, shall be reasonable and
shall not create an ln3ustlce and shall be in keeping w~th the
purpose and intent of this Chapter Such variances shall be
obtained in writing from the Chief Plumbing Inspector prior to
the starting of the work
SECTION 17-25 REVIEW BY BOARD
All variances granted by the Plumbing Inspector shall be
reviewed by the Plumbing and Mechanical Code Board for possible
revision, at the Board's discretion
ARTICLE IV PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL CODE BOARD
SECTION 17-26 CREATION
There is hereby created a Plumbing and Mechanical Code
Board consisting of seven members, each to be appointed by the
City Council for a term of two years, and removable for cause
by said Council Initially, however, three members shall be
appointed for a term of one year and four members shall be
appointed for two year terms To the extent that persons are
available within this City, the said Board shall consist of two
licensed master plumbers, two mechanical contractors, two
mechanical engineers, and one layman, who shall all reside
within the City The initial terms for the members shall be
staggered whereby one master plumber, one mechanical engineer,
and one mechanical contractor shall have terms expiring on the
odd number years, and one master plumber, one mechanical
engineer, one mechanical contractor, and the layman shall have
terms expiring on the even number years No appointed member
shall serve more than three consecutive terms The City
Council may appoint ex officio members to this Board, to have a
voice in all matters before it, but who shall have no vote
SECTION 17-27 PROCEDURE IN REMOVAL OF MEMBERS FROM OFFICE
The City Council may remove any member of the Plumbing and
Mechanical Code Board during the term for which he was
appointed if cause be found The action of the City Council in
such matters shall be final
SECTION 17-28 CHAIRMAN, SECRBTARY, QUORUM, OFFICE
SUPPLIES, POWERS ~ DUTIBS GENERALLY
It shall be the duty of the Plumbing and Mechanical Code
Board to meet as soon after their appointment as is practicable
and organized by selecting one of their members as Chairman and
PAGE 15
another as Secretary Regular meetings of the Board thereafter
shall be scheduled on a monthly bas~s~ except that meetings
be cancelled when there ~s no bus~ness to come before the
Board Special meetings may be called at any t~me by the
Chairman, or by the Secretary The Secretary shall keep a
complete record and m~nutes of the actions of the Board to be
filed w~th the C~ty Secretary
Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of bus~ness
M~scellaneous off~ce supplies may be furnished to the Board
by the Bu~ld~ng Inspection D~wslon From t~me to t~me as may
be deemed proper, the Board shall submt written suggestions
and recommendations for the ~mprovement of the Plumbing and
Mechanical Ordinances of the C~ty to the C~ty Council
It shall also be the duty of the Board to hear any written
complaints made by any plumber, crt~zen, or otherwise, that may
have a bearing upon the efficient enforcement of the Plumbing
and Mechanical Codes, and the Board shall take such action
thereon as may be deemed proper and w~th~n ~ts authority,
prowded, that the same shall not be ~ncons~stent w~th any laws
of the State, of th~s Chapter, or other Ordinances of the
C~ty The Board ~s authorized to adopt rules and regulations
for the ~ssuance of apprentice plumbers' permits
SECTION 17-29 APPEAL TO PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL CODE BOARD
(a) Any person, f~rm, company, or corporation aggrieved by
any decision of the Plumbing Inspector under th~s Chapter may
appeal such decision or order to the Plumbing and Mechanical
Code Board as set out here~n
(b) The powers of the Board are hereby extended so as to
authorize the Board to make reasonable ~nterpretat~ons or
rulings ~n matters properly before ~t as to the Plumbing and
Mechanical Code Board as set out here~n
(c) The appeal procedure shall be as follows
(1) Time ~very appeal must be f~led ~n
writing w~th~n ten (10) days from the
date of the decision or order appealed
from and shall be filed ~n duplicate w~th
the Building Official Such not~ce shall
contain appropriate reference to the
decision or order appealed from as well
as the grounds of the appeal It shall
be the duty of the Building Official to
not~fy the Chairman of the Plumbing and
Mechanical Code Board and the Plumbing
Inspector
(2) Fee The amount of the fee for appeals
shall be held consistent w~th other
boards of the C~ty of Denton
(5) Record The Bu~ldxng Official shall
transmit to the Board all relevant
records and data upon which the appeal
was taken
(4) Stay of Proceedings An appeal shall
stay all proceedings ~n connection w~th
the decision or order appealed from
unless and until the Plumbing Inspector
shall have certified to the Board after
not~ce of appeal has been f~led that a
stay would cause hazard to l~fe or
PAGE 16
property In such case, proceedings
pursuant to the decision or order of the
Plumbing Inspector shall not be stayed
except by order of the Board or by a
restraining order issued by a court of
competent 3urlsdlct~on
(S) Hearings The Board shall fix a
reasonable time for the hearing of an
appeal, giving notice ~n writing to the
partzes ~n interest and shall reach its
decision within three (3) days from the
close of the hearing Appellant may
appear before the Board in person, by
agent, or by attorney and may present
material witnesses The Board may
require additional data and tests
necessary for adequate decision of the
appeal, and continue the hearing therefor
(6) Authority The Plumbing and Mechanical
Code Board shall have the power ~n all
cases appealed to it from decision or
orders of the Plumbing Inspector to
reverse or affirm or modify in whole or
in part, the decision or order appealed
from No decision of the Board shall
vary or be inconsistent with the terms or
provision of this Chapter
(7) Bnforcement The Plumbing Inspector
shall enforce and execute all decisions
and orders of the Plumbing and Mechanical
Code Board
(8) Approval of Materials ~ Methods The
Plumbing and Mechanical Code Board shall
have the power to approve alternate and
new materials, methods, devices, etc , in
accordance with the applicable prowslons
of this Chapter
It shall be the duty of the Board to make
an annual review of the provisions of
th~s Chapter, and to recommend any
necessary changes and/or xmprovements to
the City Council This review shall
~nclude consideration of suggestions from
plumbers and the public at large, which
may be obtained by means of open hearings
as well as through the regular channels
PART II
That this ordinance shall repeal every prior ordinance and
provision of the C~ty of Denton Code of Ordinances in conflict
herewith specifically Chapter 17, and as to all other
ordinances or provisions of the Code of Ordinances of the C~ty
of Denton not in direct conflict herewith, th~s ordinance shall
be and is hereby made cumulative
PART III
That if any section, part of section or provision of any
section of this ordinance shall be held to be void, ineffective
or unconstitutional by a court of competent 3urlsd~ct~on, the
holding of such section, part of a section or prows~on of any
sectlen to be void, xneffectlve or unconstitutional for any
cause whatsoever shall in no way effect the validity of the
PAGE 17
remaining sections and provisions of this ordinance, which
shall remain ~n full force and effect The City Council would
not have passed any sections, parts of sections or provisions
of any section of this ordinance that were unconstitutional,
void or ineffective if it had known that they were
unconstitutional, void or ineffective at the time of adopting
this ordinance
PART IV
That the wolat~on of any prowslon of th~s ordinance or of
the Clty of Denton Code relating to the installation,
alteration or repair of pipes, fittings, and fixtures for
water, sewage, gas and general "plumbing" in all buildings and
structures w~th~n the legal 3unsdlctlon of the City of Denton,
shall be deemed an offense punishable by a fine not exceeding
Two Hundred ($200 00) Dollars, and each violation thereof, and
each day on which there is a failure to apply with the terms of
this ordinance shall be and is hereby deemed to be a distinct
and separate offense and punishable as such
PART V
That this ordinance shall be effective March 15, 1981 and
the City Secretary is hereby directed to cause the caption of
this ordinance to be published twice ~n the Denton Record-
Chronicle, the official newspaper of the City of Denton, Texas,
ten (10) days after its date of passage
PASSED AND APPROVED this the~_~ day of /7'f~rcc~'~ ,7981
D STB~u~.T ~ MAYO~
C~IT~OF ~NTON, TEXAS
ATTEST
CITY OF DENTON, TI~XAS
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM
C J TAYLOR, JR , CITY ATTORNEY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
PAGE 18