Minn. R. 1300 § 1300.0215
PLUMBING.
Operative Text
Subpart 1. Inspections, testing, and permits. A. For purposes of this part, "administrative authority" is defined in part 4714.0203. B. Except as provided in item C, new plumbing systems or parts of existing plumbing systems that have been altered, extended, or repaired shall be tested and approved by the administrative authority before the plumbing system is put into use. The administrative authority shall perform the final inspection and witness the test. The administrative authority shall approve the plumbing system if the system complies with the requirements of this code, any permit requirements, and the requirements of any plan approved pursuant to subpart 6. Plumbing system tests shall comply with chapter 4714. C. Unless the plumbing work poses an unsanitary or hazardous condition, the administrative authority is authorized to waive the permit, inspection, and testing requirements for the following plumbing work performed in one- and two-family dwellings: (1) the reconnection of an existing water supply line to a replacement appliance that does not involve the replacement or alteration of the existing water supply line; (2) replacement of the internal working components of existing water closets, faucets, or valves; (3) replacement of sink faucets when the work does not include alterations to the existing plumbing piping system; or (4) replacement or resetting of water closets when the work does not include alterations to the existing plumbing piping systems. D. The administrative authority is permitted to waive testing requirements for plumbing work that does not include any addition to or replacement, alteration, or relocation of any water supply, drainage, or vent piping, if it does not create a hazardous or unsanitary condition. Subp. 2. [Repealed, 39 SR 91] Subp. 3. Covering of work. No building drainage or plumbing system or part thereof shall be covered until it has been inspected, tested, and approved as herein prescribed. If any building drainage or plumbing system or part thereof is covered before being regularly inspected, tested, and approved, as herein prescribed, it shall be uncovered upon the direction of the proper administrative authority. Subp. 4. Building sewer. The building sewer shall be inspected by the proper administrative authority to ensure compliance with the provisions of the code. Subp. 5. Certificate of approval. Upon the satisfactory completion and final inspection of the plumbing system, a certificate of approval shall be issued by the proper administrative authority. Subp. 6. Plans and specifications. Prior to the installation by any person, corporation, or public agency, of a system of plumbing that serves the public or that serves any considerable number of persons, or any plumbing system that shall affect the public health in any manner, complete plans and specifications, together with any additional information that the commissioner of labor and industry may require, shall be submitted and approved by the commissioner. The appraisal of the commissioner shall reflect the degree to which these plans and specifications affect the public health and conform to the provisions of the Minnesota Plumbing Code. No construction shall proceed except in accordance with approved plans and specifications. Any material alteration or extension of the existing system shall be subject to these same requirements. This rule shall not apply to cities of the first class, except those plumbing installations in state-licensed health care facilities or in buildings in these cities owned by the state government. Except as approved in chapter 4714, there shall be no physical connection between water supply systems that are safe for domestic use and those that are unsafe for domestic use. There shall be no apparatus through which unsafe water may be discharged or drawn into a safe water supply system.
Minn. R. 1300 § 1300.0215 establishes a framework for how plumbing systems in Minnesota must be inspected, tested, and approved before they can be put into use. New plumbing installations and alterations to existing systems generally require a permit, a witnessed test, and sign-off from the administrative authority, with a certificate of approval issued upon satisfactory completion. Certain minor repairs in one- and two-family dwellings—such as replacing faucet components or resetting a toilet without altering the piping—may be exempt from permit and inspection requirements, provided the work does not create a hazardous or unsanitary condition. Plumbing work must not be covered or concealed before it has been inspected and approved, and any work covered prematurely may be ordered uncovered by the administrative authority.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minn. R. 1300 § 1300.0215, property owners and managers generally ensure that any new plumbing installation or alteration to an existing system is permitted, tested, and inspected by the administrative authority before the system is placed into service. Compliant operators do not allow plumbing work to be covered or concealed prior to receiving inspection approval, and they obtain a certificate of approval upon satisfactory final inspection. For larger or public-serving systems, plans and specifications are submitted to the Minnesota Commissioner of Labor and Industry before construction begins, and no material alteration proceeds without approved plans in hand.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minn. R. 1300 § 1300.0215 provides tenants with assurance that plumbing systems in their homes are subject to inspection, testing, and approval requirements before being put into use. If a tenant has reason to believe that plumbing work in their unit was covered or placed into service without the required inspection or certificate of approval, they may contact the local administrative authority or the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to inquire about compliance. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how this provision interacts with habitability standards and what options may be available when plumbing work appears to have bypassed required oversight.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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