Permits
Portland plumbing permits: water heaters, fixtures and leaks
Portland requires a plumbing permit for more jobs than most people expect, including a water heater swap. The exceptions are narrow.
Needs a permit
- Replacing a water heater. (Portland PP&D)
- Repairing, replacing, relocating or adding piping. (Portland PP&D)
- Installing new fixtures, or replacing fixtures with concealed connections. (Portland PP&D)
- Sewer and water lines, rain drains, and backflow assemblies for lawn sprinklers. (Portland PP&D)
No permit needed
- Pulling and resetting a toilet for new flooring. (Portland PP&D)
- Replacing accessible fixtures for an emergency repair. (Portland PP&D)
- Replacing freeze-damaged or leaking concealed pipe, five feet or less. (Portland PP&D)
Who may do the work
In Oregon, nobody may work as a journeyman plumber without a journeyman plumber license, and a plumbing contractor may not let unlicensed people do journeyman work. (ORS 693.030) A plumbing business needs a CCB license and a Building Codes Division plumbing contractor license. (Oregon BCD) For a broken sewer line, see the Oregon license check.
Sources
We read each source on October 18, 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the linked page before you rely on a number.
Written by the Portland Emergency Plumbers team. We list businesses; we do not employ, bond or insure them. Spot a mistake? Use the claim page to tell us.