Plumbing plan review

For general inquiries, call (651) 284-5063.

DLI reviews proposed plumbing projects to ensure compliance with the Minnesota Plumbing Code (Minnesota Rules Chapter 4715). Plumbing plans and a fee must be submitted for modification or installation of all plumbing systems that serve the public or that serve a considerable number of persons. This includes, but is not limited to, restaurants, grocery stores, department stores, offices, warehouses, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and housing with five units or more (excluding townhomes built to the International Residential Code (IRC) with individual water and sewer services to each dwelling unit). The fees for plan review are required by Minnesota Statutes 326B.49 Subd. 2.

Plan review includes all interior plumbing, building sewer and water service connections within the property line, and storm water drainage systems. A few of the specific items DLI reviews include adequate pipe sizing, proper pipe connections, approved pipe material, fixture specifications and backflow prevention devices. Complete plan approval must be given before installation of any portion of the plumbing system may begin.

Cities of First Class (Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth) all have their own plumbing programs. A number of other cities have plan review agreements with DLI, and take responsibility for plan review on most plumbing projects. However, there are some projects in the Cities of the First Class and cities with plan review agreements that still require state review. Projects in these cities that still require plumbing plan review by DLI are:

• Buildings owned by federal or state government;
• Projects of a special nature for which review by DLI is requested by either the city or other state agencies; and
• Hospitals, nursing homes, supervised living facilities and similar health care related facilities regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).