(A) Permit applications. Applications for a permit shall be made in accordance with § 106.4 of the 2015 Michigan Plumbing Code and as follows: A homeowner who meets the following requirements: A bona fide owner of a single-family residence which is, or will be on completion, his or her place of residence, for two years and no part of which is used for rental or commercial purposes, nor is now contemplated for such purpose, may do his or her own work, providing he or she applies for and secures a permit, pays the fee, does the work himself or herself in accordance with the provisions hereof, applies for inspections and receives approval of the work by the code official. An owner of existing rental property may install garbage disposals and laundry trays, or perform minor repairs for which no permit is required, providing all other requirements of this section and code are complied with. Failure to comply with these requirements will subject the owner’s permit to cancellation.
(B) Permit issuance. Permits shall be issued in accordance with § 106.5 of the 2015 Michigan Plumbing Code and as follows: Plans submitted for approval for hospitals, nursing homes, and homes for the aged shall be approved by the department of public health or the licensing or certifying agency having jurisdiction, or both, prior to submission to the city.
(C) Violation penalties.
(1) Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall design, install and construct plumbing systems in violation of an approved plan or directive of the code official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be cited for a municipal civil infraction in accordance with Chapter 11 of this code of ordinances and the defendant, if found responsible, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500. Additionally, the court may assess costs incurred in compelling the appearance of the defendant and to enforce the terms of this code.
(2) A second offense for the same violation shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 and/or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served, in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, shall be deemed a separate offense.
(D) Stop work orders. Upon notice from the code official that any plumbing work on any building or structure, or plumbing systems therein, or adjacent thereto is being prosecuted contrary to the provisions of this code or in an unsafe and dangerous manner, such work shall be stopped, except for work that the person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition. The stop work order shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property involved, or to the owner’s agent, or to the person doing the work, or shall be posted on entrances to the building or structure where the work is being performed.
(E) Board of Appeals. The Plumbing Board of Appeals shall consist of five members and include the City Engineer, registered plumbing inspector, licensed plumbing contractor, licensed professional engineer or architect. No more than two members shall be from the same profession or occupation.
(F) Size of water service pipe. Water service pipe shall be sized to supply water to the building in the quantities and at the pressures required in this code. The minimum diameter of water service pipe shall be one inch. Three methods for sizing the water service pipe are described in Appendix C of the 2015 Michigan Plumbing Code.
(G) Sewer pipe and tap.
(1) Requirements. A contractor will be permitted to replace or repair only existing sewer pipe from five-foot outside of foundation walls to the main sewer including the replacement of the tap on the main sewer. A homeowner who meets the requirements of division (A) above will be permitted to work on his/her own sewer pipe including the tap on the main sewer.
(2) Permit and inspection. Work shall not commence until a permit for such work has been issued. Inspection is required before any work is covered.
(3) Specifications. A homeowner and contractor will be required to perform all work in accordance with the specifications and applicable requirements as outlined by the City Engineer. Said specifications and requirements are available at the office of the City Engineer.
(4) Bond requirements. Before any contractor (excluding homeowner and master plumbers) performs any work in the city on sewers he or she must provide the city with a bond in the amount of $5,000 which shall be known as a sewer bond and approved by the Department of Legal Affairs.
(5) Street/alley pavement removal. Before any homeowner, contractor, master plumber, or any individual opens any paved street, alley or sidewalk within the city, they are required to file a cash bond set by the City Engineer for the replacement of said pavement, said bond to cover replacement of pavement, in the event the permit holder fails to do so. Said pavement shall be replaced in accordance with the specifications as set forth by the City Engineer.
(6) Alley excavations. When work is performed in an unpaved public alley the excavation shall be backfilled with crushed aggregate and compacted in 12-inch lifts. Aggregate backfill shall be brought level with the surrounding alley grade.
(H) Garbage grinder. All new buildings and all buildings remodeled or altered which are designed, equipped and used for storing or sheltering food or foodstuffs for human consumption including fruits, vegetables and meats which are to be sold either at retail stores, clubs, hotels, restaurants, schools or other food establishments, or at wholesale, or which are prepared at food manufacturing or processing plants, whether such places of business are licensed under the provisions of any city ordinance, or not, and all buildings, including residences, where foods for human consumption are prepared, sold, handled, stored or served in any manner whatsoever, shall be equipped with an appropriate type of garbage grinder, properly connected to the kitchen sink or sewer drain; which grinder and connection shall be of sufficient size to grind all garbage and food processing wastes produced in such building, and shall be suitably located so as to discharge such ground material by flushing it with water through the drain pipes into the sewer.
(Ord. 1510, passed 4-26-2021)