(A) There is hereby created an Examining Board for examination of plumbers consisting of the Chief Health Officer of the city, the City Engineer, or a representative of the firm acting as City Engineer, one master plumber who shall be licensed in the city, one journeyman plumber who shall be licensed in the city and one member at large who has a plumber’s or sheet metal license in the city, or serves in such position of Public Works Director/City Engineer of Water/Wastewater Superintendent. The master plumber, journeyman plumber, and member at large shall be from different shops. All members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council and shall be residents or live within the zoning jurisdiction of the city. Three members of the Plumbing Board shall constitute a quorum. The Board shall organize by selecting a Chairperson and the Plumbing Inspector shall be the Secretary of said Board. All vacancies in the Board may be filled by the Mayor and Council. Any member of the Board may be removed from office for cause by the District Court of the county. Each member of the Board may give bond in the sum of $1,000 conditioned according to law. The terms of the Chief Health Officer and Plumbing Inspector shall coincide with the term of the Mayor. The term of the master plumber, journeyman plumber, and member at large shall be for three years.
(B) The Plumbing Board shall have power and it shall be its duty, to adopt rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of the state or the ordinances of the city, for the sanitary construction, alteration and inspection of plumbing and sewage connections and drains placed in or in connection with any and every building in the city in which it will prescribe the kind and size of material to be used in such plumbing and the manner in which such work shall be done, which rules and regulations, except such as are adopted for its own convenience only, shall be approved by ordinance by the Mayor and Council of the city. The Board shall have the power to amend or repeal its rules and regulations, subject, except such as relate to its own convenience only, to the approval of the Mayor and Council. The Board shall have power to compel the owner or contractor to first submit the plans and specifications for plumbing that is to be placed in any building or adjoining premises to the Board for approval before it shall be installed in such building or premises. When an owner or contractor submits a request for a variance, the Plumbing Board shall charge a reasonable fee, payable to the General Fund, not to exceed $25.
(C) The Examining Board shall conduct examinations from time to time, at such time and places as the Board may designate, but no applicant shall be compelled to wait more than 14 days following presentation of applications. The Board of Examiners shall propound such examinations to each applicant as to ascertain his or her knowledge of plumbing, gas fitting, steam fitting, house drainage, plumbing, ventilation, sheet metal work for heating, and related subjects and if satisfied of the competency of such applicant, shall thereupon issue a master plumbers, journeyman plumbers, sheet metal or heating workers, gas fitters, or water fitters license, as the case may be, authorizing such applicant to engage in the calling or trade for which he or she has made application.
(D) Application shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the City Clerk’s office and shall state the name of the applicant, the location of his or her place of business or employment and such other information as may be required.
(E) A master plumber’s license or journeyman plumber’s license shall authorize such licensee to engage in the calling or trade of plumber as an artisan to place, replace, install, construct, or reconstruct pipes, fittings, fixtures, or other materials connected with the business of plumbing, intended for the conveying of water, water borne waste, fuels, or gases.
(F) A sheet metal or heating worker’s license shall authorize the holder thereof to construct or install sheet metal conductors for heat distribution and venting of heating equipment in accordance with the applicable sections of this chapter.
(G) A gas fitter’s license shall authorize the holder thereof to engage in the work of installing piping for the transmission of natural or LP gas and gas consuming appliances and shall authorize the holder to install venting for such gas consuming appliances.
(H) (1) A water fitters license shall authorize the holder thereof to install water softeners or other fixtures, devices, appliances and replace water heaters. A water fitter shall confine water line work to within a reasonable distance (normally plus or minus ten feet) of the unit and shall not make or change permanent drain lines; nor shall a water fitter tie directly to the drains; provided, such license shall not authorize the holder to change any piping that is not directly connected to the fixture device or appliance being installed.
(2) A permit and inspection shall be required for all water softener installation and replacements and for water heater replacement.
(I) When an applicant fails to pass the Examining Board, he or she shall be permitted to resubmit his or her application six months after the date of examination. An applicant may resubmit his or her application as often as he or she desires, but in no event in a shorter period than six months after an examination.
(Prior Code, § 116.03) (Ord. 924, passed 12-22-1975; Ord. 1326, passed 6-24-1985; Ord. 1477, passed 7-13-1992; Ord. 1600, passed 1-12-1998; Ord. 1977, passed 2-10-2014)