Plumbing permits in Greeley, CO: what the city says

Plumbing permit requirements in Greeley: the city's rule

The City of Greeley says an owner or authorized agent who plans to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building or structure must first get a permit from the building official.

The same rule covers installing or changing electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems that the city's adopted code regulates. The city has adopted the 2021 International Plumbing Code and the 2021 International Residential Code.

That is a general rule. The city's permit page does not say how it applies to each kind of plumbing job, and this guide does not guess. Where the page is silent, the next section points you to the city.

Job by job: what to ask Building Inspection

These are the jobs homeowners ask about most. For each one, the city's page gives the general rule above and no job-level answer, so the question goes to the city.

• Water heaterReplacing or installing

  The rule reaches installing plumbing, gas and mechanical systems. The city's page does not say how it applies to a water heater swap. Ask City Building Inspection. A gas water heater also connects to gas piping, which makes the question worth asking before work starts. Water heater replacement

• Faucets, toilets, sinks, tubsReplacing a fixture

  The city's page does not say how the rule applies to fixture replacements. You can have the contractor check a specific fixture job directly with City Building Inspection. Another town's list of exempt jobs does not settle the question for Greeley.

• Sewer service lineRepair or replacement

  The city's page does not say how the rule applies to a sewer line repair or replacement. Ask City Building Inspection before digging or opening a slab. Sewer line repair

• RepipingReplacing supply or drain pipes

  Replacing pipes is altering a plumbing system. Whether the rule applies to your scope is a question for the city. Whole-house repiping

• Gas pipingNew lines or changes

  The rule names gas systems as well as plumbing. Ask the city about your job. If you smell gas, leave and use the emergency page first. Gas line services

Who applies for the permit

The city's rule names two people: the owner or an authorized agent. On a larger job, such as a sewer line or a water heater replacement, the authorized agent can be the plumber doing the work. That keeps the city paperwork with the person who knows the scope.

Do not assume it, though. Ask before work starts:

• Who is applying for the permit, if one is needed?
• Who will arrange the inspection?
• Is the permit part of the written scope?

This guide does not cover doing plumbing work yourself. If you are thinking about that, start with a call to Building Inspection.

Hiring first? Hiring a plumber in Greeley covers what to check before you agree to work.

Inspections

The city has adopted a plumbing code, and its Building Inspection division exists to check work against the codes it adopts. The permit page does not lay out inspection steps, so this guide states none.

Good questions for the city or the plumber:

• Does this job need an inspection?
• Should anything stay uncovered until it is inspected?
• Who calls to schedule it?

Fees and timelines are set by the city and are not stated here. Ask Building Inspection.

How to ask the city

City Building Inspection is a city department, not a plumbing contractor. Questions about a specific job go to it through the contractor, who deals with the permit and the inspection.

Have these ready:

• The address of the property.
• The job in plain words: replace a water heater, swap a faucet, repair a sewer line.
• The fixture or appliance involved, and whether it is gas or electric.

Related pages

• Hiring a plumber in GreeleyWhat to check before you hire.
• Water heater replacementTank, fuel and fit decisions.
• Gas line servicesGas piping work and safety.
• Sewer line repairHow a damaged line is repaired or replaced.
• Whole-house repipingWhen pipes are replaced throughout.