The standards promulgated pursuant to R.S. 40:1730.28 are hereby adopted and shall apply in the town.

The office shall be filled by a qualified individual or business entity approved by the mayor and board of aldermen. There may be deputy plumbing inspectors appointed in the same manner.

(Code 1978, § 12-4004)

The plumbing inspector shall have the authority to inspect plumbing, administer and enforce the provisions of the plumbing and sewerage code as adopted or amended by the rules and regulations of the plumbing board.

(Code 1978, § 12-4005)

(a)

Duties. The plumbing inspector shall:

(1)

Perform all authorities extended to him;

(2)

Make all inspections, required of him, within one working day, after proper notification and fees have been paid;

(3)

Leave notice of findings of such inspection at job site;

(4)

Furnish certificate of approval, should the work meet the requirements of this code as to material, design and workmanship;

(5)

Disapprove, should the work not meet the requirements of the code, as specified in subsection (2) of this section, issuing a certificate citing violations of code;

(6)

Re-inspect, upon proper notice and fees paid, furnishing either a certificate of approval or disapproval;

(7)

Serve written notice and order of discontinuance on persons responsible;

(8)

Serve as ex officio member of the plumbing board and attend all regular and called meetings, recommending called meetings to the chairman when necessary and making full reports to the utilities commissioner, who in turn will make the report available to the plumbing board, pertaining to the office of the plumbing inspector, its activities and recommendations; and

(9)

Present copies of all notices and certificates to the utilities commissioner's office within one working day after notice or certificate issued.

(b)

Notifications. Whenever the plumbing inspector finds that any construction, alteration or repair of any portion of the plumbing work of any building or structure is being erected, constructed or altered in violation of the provisions or requirements of this code, or in violation of any plans and specifications submitted and approved hereunder or of a permit or license issued hereunder, then the official shall serve a written notice or order upon the person responsible therefor, directing discontinuance of such illegal action and the remedying of the condition that is in violation of the provisions or requirements of this code. Whenever the plumbing inspector finds that work is proceeding in violation of the provisions or requirements of this code and the continuance of the plumbing work is contrary to public health and welfare, the official shall order, in writing, all further work to be stopped and may require suspensions of all work until the condition in violation has been corrected.

(Code 1978, § 12-4006)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Master plumber means any person, firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of this plumbing code to do plumbing contracting in the town.

Plumbing inspector means the individual official, authorized by the mayor and board of aldermen of the town to inspect plumbing, administer and enforce the provisions of the plumbing code as adopted or amended.

Plumbing system means and includes the drainage and vent system, the gas and/or water supply distributing pipes, the fixtures and fixture traps; and the stormwater drainage, with their devices, appurtenances and connections, installed in buildings or on the premises. The term does not include the community gas or water supply distributing pipes.

(Code 1978, § 12-4008)

(a)

State license required. No one doing work in the town shall be known or recognized as a master plumber unless he is licensed a master plumber by the state plumbing board.

(b)

Place of business to be maintained. Every licensed master plumber must have and maintain an established place of business within the parish or in an adjoining parish where he may be reached by his patrons, and he must have a sign displayed for identification. There shall be someone in attendance during regular office hours to receive complaints or notices from the municipal building by telephone.

(c)

Tools and equipment. The master plumber shall have an adequate supply of tools and equipment and shall display certification that he has paid all town and state licenses required by law.

(d)

Use of licensee's name by another. No person who has obtained a plumber's license shall allow his name to be used by another person, either for the purpose of obtaining permits, or for doing business or work under the license. Every person licensed shall notify the plumbing inspector immediately upon any change in address or business name.

(Code 1978, § 12-4009)

(a)

No plumbing work, unless excepted in this section, shall be undertaken prior to the issuance of a permit by the plumbing inspector. There shall be four types of permits issued, known as property owner's permit, master plumber's permit, contractor's permit and emergency permit.

(b)

Permits are required on all plumbing work, except removal of stoppages, repair of leaks, broken fixtures, replacing of faucets, and other minor plumbing repairs. In case of doubt as to whether any job is to be considered minor, the plumbing board must be contacted for an official ruling.

(Code 1978, § 12-4010)

(a)

Application for permits shall be made on a proper form and filed with the plumbing inspector. The applications shall be accompanied by the necessary fees in accordance with the schedule of fees.

(b)

In addition, the application must include the necessary plans of the proposed work. The plans must show the type and scope of the work to be done; the exact location of the property by street address or by subdivision, lot and square number; and the connection to any soil or waste pipe, gas line, water line, building sewer or town sewer.

(c)

In the case of new installations, the location of the sewer tie-in must be shown as well as the location, size and type of material of the proposed building sewer tie-in, water service line and gas service line.

(Code 1978, § 12-4011)

It shall be the duty of the plumbing inspector to examine all plans submitted along with the applications for plumbing permits. In case the plans are found to be incomplete, or if a violation of this code is shown on the plans, the licensee shall immediately be contacted and the permit voided until proper plans shall have been submitted.

(Code 1978, § 12-4012)

Permits are cancelled whenever the job is completed and approved by the town plumbing inspector. Other permits expire six months after date of issue or six months after the plumbing work ceases, whichever occurs first. The life of the permit may be extended six months upon written application from the permit holder to the plumbing board.

(Code 1978, § 11-1001)

Every person qualified to do plumbing contracting work shall have displayed a sign in a conspicuous place in front of each and every place at which plumbing work is being done by him. This sign shall give the name, address, and telephone number of the person, firm or corporation doing the plumbing work and shall have the words "licensed master plumber," "property owner's permit," "contractor's permit" or "emergency permit" and shall also include permit number and street address of the job. Failure upon the part of any licensed permittee authorized to do plumbing work, to fulfill this provision shall constitute a violation of this chapter. The plumbing inspector is hereby authorized to revoke the license of the plumber or permit of the permittee for a period not in excess of 60 days for the violation of this section. The display of any sign, as described above, by anyone not duly qualified shall constitute a violation of this chapter and subject to the penalties as prescribed. Failure of permittee to display a sign at job site shall be cause to revoke the permit.

(Code 1978, § 12-4014)

(a)

All plumbing inspection fees shall be in amounts as established by the board of aldermen from time to time.

(b)

The initial fees must be paid to the utilities department at time of application for initial permit. The re-inspection fee must be paid at time of request for re-inspection. These fees are subject to being changed upon the recommendation of the board and approval by simple resolution of the mayor and board of aldermen.

(Code 1978, § 12-4015)

Only those who are licensed by the state plumbing board may apply for a master plumber's permit in accordance with the requirements set forth in this chapter.

(Code 1978, § 12-4016)

(a)

Every property owner shall have the right to secure a plumbing permit to do his own plumbing work; provided the person is a bona fide owner of the property and that the owner shall personally purchase all material and perform all labor in connection therewith. The permit shall state the nature of work to be done and shall terminate upon completion of the work.

(b)

Before being issued a permit, the property owner shall furnish the plumbing board the following:

(1)

A plan or sketch of the proposed work to be done; and

(2)

Information as to the applicant's understanding of the general principles of plumbing work and of the rules and regulations governing plumbing in the town.

(Code 1978, § 12-4017)

One who is neither a licensed master plumber nor a property owner but who is an independent building contractor may secure a contractor's plumbing permit upon the plumbing inspector's approval, providing:

(1)

He satisfies the inspector of his understanding of the general principles of the plumbing work to be performed;

(2)

He informs the inspector of the estimated cost to the property owner of the work to be performed;

(3)

He submits the proper application fees, plans, sketches, and other information required to the plumbing board;

(4)

He agrees that for the cost stated in subsection (2) of this section, he will install all plumbing to the satisfaction of the plumbing inspector, and should there be necessary deletions, additions or changes, the same will be done at his cost;

(5)

No work will be covered or connected prior to inspection; and

(6)

He certifies this work is an integral part of a contract of remodeling or construction for which he is the building contractor.

(Code 1978, § 12-4018)

In the event of an emergency to be declared by the mayor and board of aldermen, which may include earthquakes, storms, construction or reconstruction of new municipal systems, assistance to needy homeowners, and other needy property owners, shortage of master plumbers in the town, for other causes as may be declared by the mayor and board of aldermen, a state of emergency shall exist and the plumbing inspector shall issue emergency permits, waiving certain requirements, according to rules set forth by the mayor and board of aldermen. However, the plumbing inspector may never waive its inspection and approval prior to the connection of any private line with a public line, nor may it ever waive the requirement that a water line not be in the same trench in which a sewer line is located.

(Code 1978, § 12-4019)

New construction or remodeling when the permittee shall request separate inspections as follows:

(1)

Rough-in. Includes all plumbing work below floor level including test stacks for water test.

(2)

Top-out. Includes all plumbing work above floor level and inside walls and ceiling.

(3)

Final. Includes all plumbing not covered under subsection (1) or (2) of this section.

(Code 1978, § 12-4020)

The plumbing inspector and other duly authorized personnel of the town, bearing proper credentials and identification or known to be authorized, shall be permitted to enter upon all properties for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Code 1978, § 12-4021)

(a)

Any person found to be violating any provision of this chapter shall be served by the town, with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in the notice, permanently cease all violations.

(b)

Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $200.00 for each violation and confined in jail not more than 30 days for each violation. Each day in which any such violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate offense.

(c)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall become liable to the town for any expense, loss or damage occasioned the town by reason of the violation.

(d)

The imposition of penalties herein prescribed shall not preclude the institution of an appropriate action or proceeding to prevent an unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use; to restrain, correct and abate a violation; to prevent the occupancy of the building, structure or premises; or to prevent an illegal act, conduct, business or use in or about any premises.

(e)

In addition to these penalties, the licensee shall be ineligible to receive any permit for any plumbing work, until such time as all the defective or illegal work has been corrected; and the utility commissioner or his representative is hereby directed not to issue any such permit until the defective or illegal work has been corrected.

(Code 1978, § 12-4022)

Any person, firm, or corporation aggrieved by the decision or ruling of the office of the utilities commissioner or plumbing inspector, in ordering discontinuance of any plumbing work or issuance of plumbing permits, may devolutively appeal therefrom to the board of aldermen within ten days of written notification of the decision or ruling. The appeal must be taken by submitting a written request therefor to the plumbing board, which shall hear the appeal within 15 days of receipt of the notice of appeal. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as to deprive any person, firm or corporation of a right of appeal to the courts of the state, in accordance with the constitution and laws thereof.

(Code 1978, § 12-4023)

Any officer or employee, or member of any board, charged with the enforcement of this code, acting for the local governing body in the discharge of his duties, shall not thereby render himself liable personally; and he is hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damage that may occur to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties. Any suit brought against any officer or employee because of such act performed by him in the enforcement of any provision of this code shall be defended by the department of law until the final termination of the liabilities.

(Code 1978, § 12-4024)

(a)

Commercial business establishments with meat markets or cooking facilities of any type shall have an approved grease interceptor as established by state law.

(b)

Grease interceptors shall be cleaned on a regular basis, whereby grease shall not be permitted to enter the sewage line.

(c)

Grease interceptors shall be inspected on a monthly basis by the plumbing inspector.

(d)

Any person or establishment found in violation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable as provided in section 105.10.180(b).

(Code 1978, § 12-4025; Ord. of 4-13-1989)