Plumbing inspection

What we do and who to call

For general inquiries, call (651) 284-5067

The proper administrative authority must inspect installations of plumbing for public, commercial and industrial facilities.

This outline explains whom to contact for inspections of these projects.

Please be aware that these projects also have plan review, bond or license requirements. (see special notes)

Contact DLI for inspections for the following projects:

All new plumbing installations for public, commercial and industrial facilities located in areas where the building code has not been adopted by local ordinance. A list of cities and counties that have adopted local building code ordinances is available.
State contract projects where the Department of Labor and Industry and the Plumbing and Engineering unit have completed the building plan review, and inspections have been contracted to the state.

For the projects above, DLI will issue inspections numbers where the Plumbing and Engineering unit (commissioner of Labor and Industry) is the administrative authority and the regional plumbing standards representative cannot make the inspection. The inspection number provides documentation of notification of the department, as required by Minnesota Rules 4715.2810.

NEW: Plumbing plan inspection information

Important notice regarding plumbing inspection fees
Effective June 1, 2009, plumbing plans for licensed health care facilities regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health must be submitted to DLI for review. Read the full announcement ...
Plumbing inspection fee submittal form (fill-in PDF) NOTE: This form does not replace the Plumbing Plan Review Application found here

The regional plumbing standards representative to must be contacted to schedule an on-site inspection.

The Plumbing and Engineering unit does not inspect projects in areas that have a local inspection department and building official. To determine whether the area you are working in is administered under local building code ordinance by local authorities, view this list of communities that have adopted the state building code.

Other inspections and assistance

The DLI Plumbing and Engineering unit will assist city and county code enforcement officials, when possible, with plumbing inspections requested by either the code official for the jurisdiction or the plumbing contractor.

The DLI commissioner retains the authority to audit projects for plan submittal, licensing and bond requirements (see Minnesota Rules 4715.0100 subp. 2).

The Plumbing and Engineering unit will provide assistance to local administrative authorities when requested.

Minnesota Rules about inspection, notification and testing

Minnesota Rules Part 4715.2800 Inspections -- New plumbing systems and parts of existing systems which have been altered, extended or repaired shall be inspected and tested by the proper administrative authority to ensure compliance with all the requirements of this code and the installation and construction of the system in accordance with the approved plan and the permit, except that testing may be waived for work which does not include addition to, replacement, alteration or relocation of any water supply, drainage or vent piping.

All the piping shall be tested and after the plumbing fixtures have been set, and before the system is put into use, the system shall be given a final inspection and test by the proper administrative authority.

The equipment, material, power and labor necessary for the inspection must be furnished by the plumbing contractor.

Minnesota Rules Part 4715.2810 Notifications -- It shall be the duty of the plumbing contractor to notify the proper administrative authority and the owner or the owner's authorized agent orally, by telephone or in writing, not less than eight working hours between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. before the work is to be inspected or tested. It shall be the duty of the plumbing contractor to make sure that the work will stand the test prescribed before giving the above notification. If the proper administrative authority finds that the work will not stand the test, the plumbing contractor shall be required to re-notify as above. If the proper administrative authority does not appear for an inspection within 24 hours of the time set, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the inspection or test shall be deemed to have been made, and the plumbing contractor is required to file an affidavit with the proper administrative authority that the work was installed in accordance with the code, the approved plans and permit, and that it was free from defects and that the required tests had been made and the system found free from leaks; also whether the owner or the owner's authorized agent was present when such inspection or test was made.

Scheduling an inspection

New plumbing systems and parts of existing systems which have been altered must be inspected and tested to ensure compliance with the plumbing code.

It is the responsibility of the plumbing contractor to notify the proper administrative authority not less than eight working hours before the work is to be inspected or tested. State inspections for projects in areas that do not have a local inspection department or building official can be made by contacting the plumbing standards representatives for your region.

Visit the plumbing inspection contact page

Important notes: Plans for all installations of plumbing in public, commercial and industrial facilities must be reviewed and approved in advance of installation. Contact the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) for information about plan review at (651) 284-5067 or www.dli.mn.us/Plumbing.asp. Also, please note that all plumbing contractors working in Minnesota must file and register a $25,000 plumbing code compliance bond annually with DLI in any city that has an ordinance requiring the same. All plumbing must be performed or directly supervised by a plumber licensed by DLI. Visit www.dli.mn.us/Plumbing.asp for additional license and bond information or call (651) 284-5067.