BUILDING CODES;

BUILDING CODE;

Connecticut laws/regulations;

You asked which appliances, systems, or devices require a building permit to install.

The law requires the state building inspector and the Department of Public Safety’s Codes and Standards Committee to adopt and administer a state building code to regulate the design, construction, and use of buildings and structures (CGS § 29-252). The code applies to all buildings, including commercial and residential structures. It incorporates mechanical, electrical and plumbing codes that require homeowners, their authorized agents, or contractors to obtain permits when making substantial changes. There is a separate code for one- and two-family dwellings. Because permits are required for so many installations, these codes specify work that is exempt, rather than what requires permits. We address each code separately below.

MECHANICAL CODE

This code requires a permit to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace a mechanical system (1996 International Mechanical Code, § 106. 1).

No permit is necessary for any:

1. portable heating appliance, ventilation equipment, cooling unit or evaporative cooler;

2. steam, hot water or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by the code;

3. replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe; or

4. self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant, or powered by motors of one horsepower or less (1996 International Mechanical Code, § 106. 2).

PLUMBING CODE

A permit is required to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to build, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any plumbing system (1997 International Plumbing Code, §106. 1).

The permit requirement does not apply to the stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, water or vent pipes, provided that if any concealed trap, drain-pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective, and it is necessary to remove and replace it with new material, such work is considered new work and requires a permit and inspection.

It also does not apply to the clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets (toilets), provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures (1997 International Plumbing Code, §106. 2).

ELECTRICAL CODE

The code requires a permit to (1) install electrical wiring or equipment within or on any building, structure or premises, and (2) alter any such existing installation. It is illegal to use, allow anyone else to use, or supply current for, any electrical system unless the required certificates of inspection and permits have been issued (1996 BOCA National Building Code, § 2703. 1).

The requirement does not apply to:

1. minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles;

2. the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical equipment for the operation of communications and signals, or the transmission of intelligence by wire by public service agencies, except as required for fire alarm systems;

3. the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical equipment of a power or public service company for use in the generation, transmission, distribution, or metering of electricity; or

4. the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus (BOCA National 1996 Building Code, §§ 2703. 2. 1 through 2. 4).

ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLING CODE

The code requires a permit before beginning construction, alteration or repair, other than ordinary repairs, for one- and two-family homes. Ordinary repairs are nonstructural repairs, but do not include adding to, altering, replacing, or relocating, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electrical wiring, or mechanical or other work requiring a permit (1995 CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, § 111. 1).

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