Plumbing notes · before a renovation
Which plumbing jobs need a permit in Oakville
Plenty of plumbing work goes ahead without paperwork, but a good deal does not. New fixtures, relocated drains and certain devices generally call for a Town of Oakville building permit and staged inspections.
Usually permitted work
- New washrooms or added fixtures
- Moving or adding drains
- Backwater valve installs
- Major repiping
Usually exempt
Swapping a faucet, toilet or fixture in the same spot, or clearing a drain, typically needs no permit. Confirm with the Town if unsure.
Why it matters
Permits bring inspections, which protect you, future buyers and your insurer. Unpermitted work can complicate a sale.
One more thing
The permit process usually starts with drawings or a description of the work submitted to the Town’s building services. Once issued, inspections happen at set stages: commonly once the drains are exposed, again ahead of drywall, and a last visit when the job wraps up.
If you hire a plumber, ask who is pulling the permit. In many cases the contractor handles it, but it should be clear from the start. If you are acting as your own general contractor, you may need to apply yourself.
Work done without a permit can cause problems when selling the house, with insurance claims, or if the work needs to be inspected later. Opening finished walls to prove work was done correctly is far more expensive than getting the permit in the first place.
Keep copies of permits and inspection records with your house papers.
Read next
- Meter test for leakswhen the bill jumps
- Hiring a licensed plumberany time
- Testing your sump pumpMarch and October
- Basement bathroom rough-instubs, slab cuts and venting
- Backwater valve installationstops sewer flowing back in
Questions about your own house? Call (365) 517-8536.