Pittsburgh permit guide
Pittsburgh Plumbing Permits: Allegheny County Guide
For a Pittsburgh project, coordinate the Allegheny County Health Department plumbing process separately from any City PLI permits. Use this workflow to prepare the plan and preserve inspection records.
Prepare the plan before starting work
ACHD requires approval of the plumbing plan and a permit before installation or alteration begins. Article XV governs the county process. Landlords must hire a Master Plumber for repairs or modifications in rental units.
Submission checklist
Document the plumbing work together rather than treating each fixture as an unrelated task.
- List every fixture being installed or altered, plus water service and building sewer details.
- Prepare the plan abstract drawing with locations, connections, and material types.
- Check the current ACHD forms and fee schedule for the selected project.
- For commercial work, obtain commercial plan reviewer approval before filing the commercial plan.
File and retain the approval trail
The county Citizen Access Portal accepts plans and permit filings. Record the application number, submitted plan version, reviewer comments, and approval. Coordinate any City building or other trade permits as separate records.
Keep inspections in the handoff
ACHD inspections occur as work proceeds, and each plumbing permit requires a final inspection. Assign responsibility for inspection arrangements and keep the final record with the job.
Example: a remodel with plumbing changes
Make one scope list for the changed fixtures and connections. Give the county plumbing plan and City permit records separate owners and reference numbers. Use the handoff checklist below to capture the next action for each agency. This example illustrates coordination, not a property-specific approval.
Official sources and next steps
Sources checked . Confirm the current requirements for your project before filing.
Keep scope, application records, owners, and inspections together with the permit handoff checklist (CSV). This planning worksheet does not replace an agency application or approval.
How PermitOps helps contractors estimate faster
PermitOps turns job inputs into permit requirement guidance, fee-estimate signals, zoning context, and compliance-risk indicators in one workflow. This helps teams avoid missed permit scope and price jobs with better confidence before submission.
FAQ: Pittsburgh plumbing permits
Where do I file plumbing permits in Pittsburgh?
Plumbing permits are filed with the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) rather than the City PLI office.