[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of South
Milwaukee. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This Chapter shall be know as the "Plumbing Code of the City
of South Milwaukee." It will be referred to hereinafter as "this code."
A.
This Code shall apply in full to all new plumbing installations,
except where conformance therewith is shown to be impracticable, provided
that in any event the installation must be reasonably safe and sanitary.
B.
This Code shall apply to all existing permanent plumbing installations,
except where the existing installation is reasonably safe and sanitary.
This Code shall not be construed to relieve in whole or part
the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling
or installing any plumbing for damages to anyone injured or any property
destroyed by any defect therein, nor shall the City be held to assume
any such liability by reason of any inspection authorized herein,
or any certificates of inspection or permit issued as herein provided.
All terms defined in the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code and any
amendments thereto shall, when used in this Code, be construed to
have the same meaning as in the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code.
A.
All plumbing work in the City of South Milwaukee shall conform with
the standards and provisions of this Code.
B.
All plumbing materials, piping, fittings, fixtures, appliances, or
equipment used or installed for use in the City of South Milwaukee
shall conform with the standards and provisions of this Code and shall
be installed, maintained, and operated in conformity with such standards
and provisions.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2226]
The provisions and regulations of Wis. Adm. Code § SPS
381 through 387 and § SPS 305, Sec. 145, Wis. Stats.,
and NR812 and all future amendments, revisions or modifications thereto,
are hereby made a part of this chapter by reference, and shall govern
the installation of all plumbing installed, altered or repaired in
the City.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2226]
A.
When permits are required.
(1)
No plumbing work shall be performed in the City of South Milwaukee
unless a permit for such work shall have been first issued to a licensed
master plumber, or to a property owner for work to be done by him/her
in a single-family building owned and occupied by him/her as his/her
or their home for a minimum of one year, by the City Plumbing Inspector
as herein provided, except that no permit shall be required.
(a)
For minor repair work required for proper maintenance of an
existing installation.
(b)
For removing stoppages, provided such removal does not entail
dismantling the existing installation.
(c)
For emergency work, but such work shall be reported to the City
Plumbing Inspector immediately after it is started and shall, if practicable,
otherwise conform with the standards and provisions of this Code.
(2)
Notwithstanding the above exceptions, a permit shall be obtained
in all cases before starting any plumbing work that replaces work
condemned by the City Plumbing Inspector.
B.
Applications. Applications for permits shall be made to the City
Plumbing Inspector on forms supplied by the City. Each application
shall indicate the nature and extent of the plumbing work and the
time same will be completed. A plan may be required to accompany the
application in the discretion of the City Plumbing Inspector.
[Amended 7-6-1976 by Ord.
No. 1039; 4-21-1998 by Ord. No. 1705]
Before receiving any permit required in this chapter, the owner
or his agent shall pay the fee determined by resolution of the Common
Council and/or Water Utility as may be appropriate. In the event work
is commenced before a permit is obtained, the fees shall be double
the fee otherwise designated.
[Amended 7-6-1976 by Ord.
No. 1039; 4-21-1998 by Ord. No. 1705]
A.
The fee due for plumbing work performed or to be performed by the
Utility shall be as determined by the Water Utility Commissioners.
B.
Taps into the water main are to be made only by or under the supervision
of the Water Utility.
C.
Charges for materials furnished or to be furnished by the City or
the Water Utility in connection with any work shall be as determined
by the Water Utility or City Department furnishing the materials.
D.
Connections to a main of a size which, in the opinion of the City
Engineer, require a fitting connection may be made only upon special
permission of the City Engineer and under the direct supervision or
by the Water Utility. All materials used in such connection shall
meet the specifications of the Water Utility.
E.
Payment for all charges shall be made before a permit is issued.
A.
The office of City Plumbing Inspector shall be filled by appointment
by the City Engineer subject to approval by the Common Council.
[Amended 5-26-1960 by Ord. No. 644; 4-21-1998 by Ord. No. 1705]
B.
The City Plumbing Inspector shall serve under the direction of the
City Engineer, shall perform plumbing inspections and have such powers
and duties as are herein contained, or such as the Common Council
or the City Engineer shall from time to time specify.
[Amended 5-26-1960 by Ord. No. 644]
C.
The City Plumbing Inspector shall enforce the provisions of this
Code. He/she shall make all inspections, keep a complete record of
applications for permits, permits issued, inspections made, and any
other official work performed, under the provisions of this Code,
and report all violations to the City Engineer.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2227]
D.
The City Plumbing Inspector shall have the right during reasonable
hours to enter with the permission of the owner any public or private
building in the discharge of his official duties, and shall have the
authority to require production of permit for plumbing work being
done. Any person who shall resist or obstruct the City Plumbing Inspector
in the lawful discharge of his official duties shall be guilty of
a violation of this Code.
E.
It shall be unlawful for the City Plumbing Inspector to engage in
the business of plumbing either directly or indirectly and he shall
have no financial interest in any concern engaged in such business
in the City of South Milwaukee while holding office as City Plumbing
Inspector.
A.
No plumbing installation for which a permit is required shall be
covered up or concealed in any manner whatsoever unless the City Plumbing
Inspector has been notified and given 48 hours in which to inspect
same; nor shall any such installation be covered up or concealed if
the City Plumbing Inspector, upon inspection, finds it has been installed
in violation of this Code, until the necessary corrections have been
made and approved by the City Plumbing Inspector.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2227]
B.
When roughing-in and final inspections have been made and the plumbing
installation has been found to be fully in compliance with this Code,
the City Plumbing Inspector shall issued a certificate of inspection.
No certificate of inspection shall be issued unless the installation
conforms strictly with the provisions of the Code.
C.
Whenever it shall be reported to the City Health Officer that the
plumbing in or connected to any building violates this Code, or is
of faulty construction and liable to breed disease or sickness, or
is a menace to health, then the Health Officer shall direct the Plumbing
Inspector to examine said plumbing and report his findings in writing
to the Health Officer, suggesting such changes as are necessary to
put the same in proper sanitary condition. The Health Officer shall,
upon receipt of said report, deliver to the property owner or his
authorized agent or attorney a written order requiring said owner
to make such changes specified in said order as the Health Officer
deems necessary to put the plumbing in proper condition and fixing
a time for completion of such changes. The property owner's failure
or refusal to comply with such order shall constitute a violation
of this Code, and each day's continuance of such failure or refusal
shall constitute a separate offense.
When the City Plumbing Inspector refuses to issue a permit or
certificate of inspection for all or part of a plumbing installation,
he shall give written notice of such refusal to the plumber in charge,
if any, and to the property owner or his authorized agent or attorney.
Such plumber or owner may, within five days after receiving such notice,
file with the City Engineer a petition in writing for a review of
such refusal, and the City Engineer shall thereupon determine forthwith
whether the installation complies with the requirements of this Code
and shall cause his written findings and decision to be filed with
the City Clerk, and a copy thereof to be delivered to such plumber
and owner; and the City Plumbing Inspector shall be bound by such
findings and decision.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2226]
A.
Only a master plumber licensed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services may apply for and be issued a plumbing permit except as otherwise stated in Subsection B or elsewhere in this Code. A plumbing contracting firm applying for a permit shall have a properly licensed State of Wisconsin master plumber employed by the firm. The master plumber shall be responsible for code compliance regarding all plumbing work and shall submit a plumbing permit that includes the signature of the master plumber responsible for code compliance.
B.
A property owner of a single-family dwelling, owned and occupied
by him or her as his or her home, may apply for and be issued a plumbing
permit for replacement of fixtures at the same dwelling only. The
owner may replace the following fixtures: toilets, sinks, faucets,
sump pumps, hose bibs, shower stalls, bath tubs, laundry sinks, dishwashers,
garbage disposals, gas water heaters and refrigerators with water
lines. An owner may not relocate fixtures in a manner that requires
relocation, alteration, removal or addition to existing hard-piped
drains, vents or water lines. An owner may not repair or install underfloor
sewer, drain stacks or install their own plumbing in a new construction
home. The owner shall be responsible to ensure that all work is installed
in compliance with this Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 18.14, Registration of plumbers,
was repealed 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2226.
A.
Each such person, firm or corporation shall execute and furnish to
the City of South Milwaukee an indemnity bond in the penal sum of
$5,000 or a certificate of insurance in a penal sum of $50,000, with
good and sufficient sureties, conditioned that the applicant will
indemnify and save harmless the City of South Milwaukee, its officers
and agents against any and all damages, costs, expenses and claims
of every nature and kind resulting from or arising out of any negligence
on the part of the obligor, his agents, employees or subcontractors.
Such bond shall remain in force until the expiration of the license
or permit, if any, of the obligor, except that on such expiration
it shall remain in force as to all penalties, claims and demands that
may have accrued thereunder prior to such expiration.
[Amended 2-20-1968 by Ord. No. 841]
B.
Performance bond. Each such person, firm or corporation shall execute
and furnish to the City of South Milwaukee, a performance bond in
the penal sum of $1,000, with good and sufficient sureties, conditioned
that the applicant will perform and sufficiently complete all work
for which a permit or permits are issued in accordance with the plumbing
codes of the State of Wisconsin and the City of South Milwaukee, together
with all other applicable ordinances of the City of South Milwaukee,
within a reasonable time so as to fully protect the public health,
safety and welfare. In addition, such bond shall provide that the
applicant will backfill and maintain any street, alley or public grounds
in which he makes any openings or excavation as directed by and to
the satisfaction of the City Engineer for a period of six months after
initially backfilling the same, and shall pay the cost of restoring
the surface of the street, alley or public grounds by the City; that
the applicant shall reimburse the City for all damages to any City
property resulting from his work operations, regardless of whether
such damage is done by himself, his agents, employees or subcontractors.
Such bond shall remain in force until the expiration of the license
or permit, if any, of the obligor, except that on such expiration
it shall remain in force as to all penalties, claims and demands or
rights of action that may have accrued thereunder prior to such expiration.
[Amended 12-19-1957 by Ord. No. 583]
C.
The Common Council may, in its discretion, approve the filing of one performance bond by an association or group of persons, firms or corporations on behalf of each member of such association, or each such person, firm or corporation which is required to file such bond under the provisions of Subsection B hereof, provided that the same must first be approved as to form by the City Attorney.
[Added 1-30-1958 by Ord.
No. 586]
A.
Sewer improvement tax. No person shall be allowed to connect with
the public sewerage system in any manner unless a sewer improvement
tax, if any, has been duly paid on the frontage of the property to
which sewer connection is to be made, unless permission to do so has
been duly given by the Common Council.
B.
Record of sewer connections. The City Engineer shall keep a record
of all sewer connections, and the positions of all house drains, connections,
junctions and other data necessary for the efficient services of the
Sewer Department.
C.
Connection by licensed plumber. No persons except licensed plumbers
or licensed utility contractors as herein provided shall be permitted
to tap or make connections with the public sewerage system or any
part thereof. Should for any reason it become necessary, the City
may install or cause the sewer connection to be installed and assess
the cost thereof against the property requiring the connection.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2227]
D.
Information on location of drain junctions. Any information which
the City Engineer may have with regard to the location of sewer connections,
shall be furnished to plumbers, but the City of South Milwaukee shall
assume no risk as to the accuracy of the same. When, in accordance
with the measurements furnished by the City Engineer, the junction
is not found within three feet of the location given, a connection
may be made directly into the sewer in a manner prescribed by and
under the direction of the City Engineer.
E.
Connection into brick or concrete sewer. In breaking in a connection
into a brick or concrete main sewer, a hole the exact outside diameter
of the pipe to be connected shall be made by means of a sharp point
chisel. A sleeve shall be set into the opening. The bell or hub of
the sleeve shall rest on the outside of the sewer, and shall not protrude
inwardly beyond the inside surface of the main sewer. A substantial
joint of cement mortar shall then be made to strengthen the cut sewer.
F.
Angle of entry. All junctions or connections shall enter the main
sewer above the flow line and at a forty-five-degree angle to the
horizontal.
G.
Risers.
(1)
The City shall be responsible for maintenance and repair of the public
(main) sewer including risers from the public (main) sewer. The property
owner shall be responsible for maintaining the building sewer (lateral).
The public sewer ends and the building sewer begins at either of the
following:
(2)
Riser is that portion of pipe connected directly to the main which
is at an angle greater than 60° from horizontal.
[Added 11-20-1984 by Ord.
No. 1280]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 18.17, Building sewers and
drains, was repealed 8-1-2000 by Ord. No. 1775.
Any person who shall intentionally, willfully, or maliciously
injure or obstruct any sewer, drain, cesspool, catch basin or any
plumbing fixture or apparatus, pipes or other part of any plumbing
in actual use, or under construction, or any sewer, drain, or water
pipes or any parts or apparatus connected therewith, laid or constructed
in the streets, alleys, or other public places or under any sidewalks
of the City of South Milwaukee shall be subject to the penalty hereinafter
provided for violating this Code.
A.
No connections of drain spouts, drain tiles, foundation drains or
other connections to convey surface or clear water to sanitary sewers
shall be permitted in the City of South Milwaukee. Such connections
may be made to any storm sewer or other surface drainage facility
serving the property.
B.
All buildings hereinafter erected or structurally altered on any
lands within the City of South Milwaukee zoned for commercial or manufacturing
uses, when such lands are served by a storm sewer or other surface
drainage facility in the abutting street or alley, shall have all
drain spouts, drain tiles, foundation drains or other drains to convey
surface or clear water connected to such sewer facility.
C.
Any storm sewer connections permitted or required herein must be
made pursuant to the specifications of the Wastewater Commission and
an inspection of each connection is required to insure compliance
with those specifications. The fee for such inspection shall be established
by the Wastewater Commission.
[Amended 4-21-1998 by Ord. No. 1705]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 18.20, Relief valves, was
repealed 8-1-2000 by Ord. No. 1775.
A.
Lot size. No septic tank or other private sewage treatment and disposal
system shall be installed on any lot in a subdivision or other parcel
of land where public sewer is not available unless such lot or parcel
of land shall have a minimum area of 14,000 square feet. A smaller
lot area may be used only when the subsoil is a loose gravel and its
absorption qualities have been determined by actual test of a certified
soil sample furnished by the owner and tested by an independent firm
at the owner's expense, and the results of such test and the proposed
installation have been approved by the City Engineer.
B.
State code. The provisions of the Wis. Adm. Code SPS 381 through
387 and SPS 305, as adopted by the Wisconsin State Board of Health,
together with any future amendments thereto and revisions thereof,
are hereby adopted and made a part of this ordinance and shall have
full force and effect, where applicable, as if fully set forth herein.
[Amended 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2226]
C.
No septic tank shall be placed closer than 10 feet from the main
building on any lot or parcel of land, nor closer than five feet from
any accessory building.
E.
All household wastes, including all floor drains, shall be piped
to the septic tank. Footing, foundation or roof drains shall not be
connected to the septic tank.
F.
Within one year from the time that the public sewers are made available
to any parcel of land, private systems for sewage disposal on said
land shall be abandoned and house sewers shall be connected to the
public sewer and all abandoned septic tanks and seepage pits shall
be filled.
[Added 10-13-1955 by Ord.
No. 537]
It shall be the duty of the Police Officers, City Engineer and
Health Officer, or either or any of them, to inquire into violations
of this Code and report same to the Common Council for investigation
and prosecution.
If any provision of this Code or the application of such provision
to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this
Code shall not be affected thereby.
A.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provisions
of this Code shall be punished by a fine of not less than $10 nor
more than $200, and shall also be assessed costs of prosecution; and
upon default in payment of said fine or costs, such person shall be
imprisoned in the House of Correction or County Jail of Milwaukee
County for not more than 60 days. Fines collected under this Section
shall be paid, after receipt, to the City Treasurer.
B.
In addition to the other penalties provided herein, the City Engineer
may, when he finds a person, firm or corporation has violated the
provisions of this Code, revoke all permits issued to such person,
firm or corporation, and prohibit such person, firm or corporation
from doing further work in the City of South Milwaukee until such
violations have been corrected.
