Plumbing Codes By State and Territory

Louisiana House Bill 1048 was signed by the Governor on June 23rd, 2014 and enacted as Act Number 836 of 2014. With an effective date of January 1st, 2016, this Act repeals the authority of the State Health Officer, acting through the Office of Public Health (OPH) of the Department of Health (DHH), to prepare and promulgate plumbing rules and regulations.

In accordance with the Act, the Louisiana State Plumbing Code [Part XIV (Plumbing) of Title 51 (State Sanitary Code) of the Louisiana Administrative Code (LAC)] will be null, void, and unenforceable on and after January 1, 2016. As required, the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC) will promulgate State plumbing regulations through the evaluation, adoption, and amendment of the following codes as part of the State Uniform Construction Code:

The 2012 International Building Code, Chapter 29-Plumbing Systems;
The 2012 International Residential Code, Part VII-Plumbing; and,
The 2012 International Plumbing Code.

Applicable plumbing provisions of these codes, along with state amendments thereto adopted by the LSUCCC, will become effective January 1, 2016.

The International Codes can be assessed at: http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/index.htm

Louisiana amendments were published as an Emergency Rule in the December 2015 Issue of the Louisiana Register. These amendments can be accessed at: http://www.doa.la.gov/osr/EMR/1512EMR082.pdf

Beginning on January 1st, 2016, all plumbing systems will be required to be designed in accordance with the provisions of these codes, as amended by the LSUCCC. This includes new construction, reconstruction, and the extensive alterations or repair of buildings and other structures. In accordance with the Act, LDH will no longer have enforcement authority over the new plumbing provisions that will become part of the State Uniform Construction Code. Enforcement of such will be handled in accordance with LA R.S. 40:1730.21 which requires all local municipalities and parishes in the State to enforce the State Uniform Construction Code. This includes plan review, conducting of inspections, and the issuance, denial, or revocation of permits.

In addition, the new law amends the Louisiana Building Code (which governs the design of state-owned buildings) by removing compliance with Part XIV (Plumbing) of the State Sanitary Code and replaces it with the above referenced codes, as amended by the LSUCCC. Beginning on January 1st, 2016, the Office of Facility Planning and Control of the Division of Administration will be responsible for ensuring that state-owned buildings comply with these newly adopted plumbing regulations.

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