GAS PIPING REGULATIONS AND LICENSURE

SEA-MC tit. 6, subtit. IV, ch. 6.430

in effect

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.010 Scope, purpose, and authority.

6.430.010 - Scope, purpose, and authority. The regulation and licensing of those who install, alter, extend and repair gas piping is governed by this Chapter 6.430. The purpose of this Chapter 6.430 is to provide standards for safe installation, alteration and repair of gas piping. The Director of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections and the Director of Public Health are authorized to implement and enforce all the provisions of this Chapter 6.430. (Ord. 124919, § 26, 2015; Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.020 Unlawful activities.

6.430.020 - Unlawful activities. A. It is unlawful to engage in the installation, alteration, extension, or repair of gas piping without first obtaining a gas piping mechanic license from SDCI, except for: 1. Unlicensed gas piping workers pursuant to Section 6.430.050; and 2. Property owners who may install, alter, extend, or repair gas piping at property owned by them without obtaining a license required by this Chapter 6.430. Property owners may install, alter, extend, or repair gas piping in residential property owned by them and comprised of no more than four dwelling units if the owner will occupy one of the units as the owner's principal residence. Property owners' regular employees may install, alter, extend, or repair gas piping at the owners' property under the same circumstances, provided the employee has worked for the owner for at least one year. A gas piping permit is required, whether or not a license is required. B. It is unlawful to hire or contract with a person to install, alter, extend or repair gas piping who is not a licensed gas piping mechanic or an unlicensed gas piping worker according to Section 6.430.050. C. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly: 1. Prevent or attempt to prevent any licensed gas piping mechanic from performing any act required to be performed by this chapter; or 2. Require or attempt to require any licensed gas piping mechanic to perform any act prohibited by this chapter. D. It is unlawful to fail to abide by a stop work order issued by the Director of the Health Department. (Ord. 124919, § 27, 2015; Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.030 Definitions.

6.430.030 - Definitions. Words and phrases used in this chapter have the following meanings: "Board" means the Gas Piping Advisory Board created by this chapter. "Director" means either the Director of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections and authorized representatives or the Director of Public Health—Seattle & King County and authorized representatives. "Director of SDCI" means the Director of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections and authorized representatives. "Director of the Health Department" means the Director of Public Health—Seattle & King County and authorized representatives. "Gas piping" means an installation of pipes, valves or fittings used to convey fuel gas, installed on a premise or in a building, but does not include service piping. "Gas piping mechanic" means a person performing installation, alteration, extension or repair of gas piping. "Health Department" means Public Health—Seattle & King County. "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership or association. "SDCI" means the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. "Unlicensed gas piping worker" means a person without a gas piping mechanics license. (Ord. 124919, § 28, 2015; Ord. 123668, § 1, 2011; Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.040 Applications and examinations.

6.430.040 - Applications and examinations. A. Applications. Applications for gas piping mechanic licenses shall be made to SDCI on a form provided by the department, accompanied by the following: 1. Affidavits or declarations made pursuant to chapter 5.50 RCW signed by the applicant and employer(s), documenting that the applicant has one of the following: a. At least 12 months of full-time experience as: (1) A gas piping mechanic; (2) An unlicensed worker under the supervision of a gas piping mechanic; or (3) A combination of subsections 6.430.040.A.1.a(1) and 6.430.040.A.1.a(2); or b. At least six months of full-time experience as: (1) A gas piping mechanic; (2) An unlicensed worker under the supervision of a gas piping mechanic; or (3) A combination of subsections 6.430.040.A.1.b(1) and 6.430.040.A.1.b(2); and (4) A certificate of completion for a Board-approved gas piping mechanic class; or c. A valid plumbers license; 2. Picture identification; and 3. The required examination fee, as specified in the Fee Subtitle, Chapter 22.900E, which fee will be assessed each time the examination is given. B. Examinations. SDCI shall administer a written examination to applicants for gas piping mechanic licenses and shall issue a license to applicants who successfully complete the examination and pay the license fee specified in the Fee Subtitle, Chapter 22.900E. SDCI may examine any applicant for a renewal of a license, and the Health Department may require reexamination of any gas piping mechanic at any time there is evidence of negligence or incompetence. (Ord. 127303, § 1, 2025; Ord. 124919, § 29, 2015; Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.050 Unlicensed gas piping workers.

6.430.050 - Unlicensed gas piping workers. An unlicensed gas piping worker shall, at all times, work under the direct supervision of a licensed gas piping mechanic. A licensed gas piping mechanic may supervise a maximum of one (1) unlicensed gas piping worker on a jobsite. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.095 Reciprocity.

6.430.095 - Reciprocity. The Health Department may establish procedures for recognizing gas piping mechanic licenses issued by other jurisdictions in the State of Washington whose licensing programs satisfy the purposes of this chapter. A person licensed in a jurisdiction outside the State of Washington must obtain a gas piping mechanic license pursuant to this chapter prior to engaging in the business of installing, altering, extending or repairing gas piping. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.200 License expiration and renewal.

6.430.200 - License expiration and renewal. A. All licenses shall expire on March 31 of each year. B. Licenses may be renewed annually upon payment of the license fee. C. If more than one (1) year has elapsed since the expiration of the license, the examination shall be retaken. D. A gas piping mechanic shall not install, alter, extend or repair gas piping with a gas piping mechanic's license that is more than ninety (90) days beyond its renewal date. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.210 Revocation of license.

6.430.210 - Revocation of license. A. Any license issued pursuant to this chapter may be revoked by the Director of the Health Department if any of the following is found: 1. The licensee has misrepresented facts related to installation, alteration, extension or repair of gas piping; 2. The licensee has provided false information on an application for a gas piping license or gas piping permit; 3. The licensee fails an examination administered according to this chapter; or 4. The existence of special circumstances that warrant revocation in the interests of public safety and welfare. B. Whenever the Director of the Health Department determines that there are grounds for revoking a license, the Director may issue a notice of revocation and stop work order. The notice shall be served by personal service in the manner set forth in RCW 4.28.080 for service of a summons or sent by first class mail to the licensee. C. Unless a request for review before the Director of the Health Department is made in accordance with this subsection the notice shall become the final order of the Director. A request for review is an administrative remedy that must be exhausted before judicial review of the decision may be sought. 1. Any person aggrieved by a notice issued by the Director pursuant to this section may obtain a review of the notice by delivering to the Health Department such request in writing within ten (10) days of the date of service of the notice. For purposes of this subsection, service shall be complete at the time of personal service, or if mailed, three (3) days from the date of mailing. When the last day of the period so computed is a Saturday, Sunday or City holiday, the period shall run until five (5:00) p.m. on the next business day. The request shall be in writing, and upon receipt of the request, the Director shall notify any persons served the notice of the deadline for submitting additional information in the form of written material for the review, which shall be within ten (10) days after the request is received. Before the deadline for submission of information, any person aggrieved by or interested in the notice (including any persons served the notice) may submit any additional information in the form of written material to the Director for consideration as part of the review. 2. The review will be made by the Gas Piping Advisory Board. The Board will review all additional information received by the deadline for submission of information. The Board may also request clarification of information received. After review of the additional information, the Board may recommend that the Director: a. Sustain the notice of revocation; b. Withdraw the notice; or c. Continue the review to a date certain for receipt of additional information. 3. Recommendations of the Board shall be in writing; shall be mailed to the Director of the Health Department and the appellant; and shall apply only to the case being heard. 4. The Director shall issue an Order and shall cause the same to be sent by first class mail to the person or persons named on the notice and any other person that has requested notice of the decision. 5. Any person who has standing to file an appeal with the Hearing Examiner may file such an appeal within ten (10) days of issuance of the Order of the Director. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.220 Gas Piping Advisory Board.

6.430.220 - Gas Piping Advisory Board. A. The Director of Public Health shall appoint a Gas Piping Advisory Board. The Gas Piping Advisory Board shall advise and assist the Director on the administration of the gas piping installer license program. The Director is authorized to define the duties of and prescribe the procedure for the Board. The Board may recommend to the Director revisions to this chapter. B. The Board shall consist of five voting members: one member representing gas piping mechanics, one member representing gas piping contractors, one member representing the gas utility, one member representing gas piping manufacturers, and one member representing the general public. Representatives of the Health Department and SDCI shall serve as non-voting members of the Board. The Board shall elect a chair and a secretary who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. (Ord. 124919, § 30, 2015; Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.240 Inspections.

6.430.240 - Inspections. Licensees shall have their license card available while performing gas piping installation, alteration, extension or repair and shall present the card prior to or at the time of inspection of the installation, alteration, extension or repair at the request of the Director of the Health Department. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.250 Stop work orders.

6.430.250 - Stop work orders. If the Director of the Health Department finds any gas piping installation, alteration, extension or repair is being done in violation of this chapter, the Director may issue a stop work order. The order shall describe the violation in writing. It shall be posted on the premises or served on any person responsible for the condition or work. It is unlawful for any person to engage in or to cause any work subject to the order to be done until authorization from the Director is received. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.260 Notice of violation.

6.430.260 - Notice of violation. A. Notice. If, after investigation, the Director of the Health Department determines that there has been a violation of this code not resulting in revocation of a license, the Director may serve a notice of violation upon the person responsible for the action or condition. The notice of violation may state the requirements violated, what corrective action, if any, is necessary to comply with the standards or requirements, and set a reasonable time for compliance. The notice shall be served upon the responsible person by regular first class mail, addressed to the last known address of such person. The notice of violation shall be considered an Order of the Director. B. Other remedies. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to limit or preclude any action or proceeding pursuant to Section 6.430.250 of this code, and nothing in this section shall be deemed to obligate or require the Director to issue a notice of violation prior to the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. C. Review by the Director. Any person affected by a notice of violation issued by the Director of the Health Department pursuant to this chapter may obtain a review of the notice by requesting such review in writing within ten (10) days after service of the notice. Service shall be complete at the time of personal service, or if mailed, on the date of mailing. When the last day of the period computed is a Saturday, Sunday, federal or City holiday, the period shall run until five (5:00) p.m. of the next business day. Upon receipt of a request, the Director shall notify the person requesting the review of the date, time and place of the Director's review. The review shall be not less than ten (10) nor more than twenty (20) days after the request is received, unless otherwise agreed by the person requesting the review. Any person affected by the notice of violation may submit addition information to the Director for consideration on or before the date of the review. A representative of the Director who is familiar with the case and the applicable regulations will conduct the review. The Director's representative will consider any information presented and in the Department's file. After the review, the Director shall issue an Order of the Director that may: 1. Sustain the notice of violation; or 2. Withdraw the notice of violation; or 3. Amend the notice of violation; or 4. Continue the review to a future date. The Director shall issue an order within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the review. The Director shall mail the order by regular first class mail to the person or persons named in the notice of violation. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.270 Penalties.

6.430.270 - Penalties. A. Civil Penalties. Any failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a cumulative civil penalty in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500) per day for each violation from the date the violation occurs or begins until compliance is achieved. In cases where the Director has issued a notice of violation, the violation will be deemed to begin, for purposes of determining the number of days of violation, on the date compliance is required by the notice of violation. B. Alternative Criminal Penalty. Any person who violates or fails to comply with this chapter shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor subject to the provisions of Chapters 12A.02 and 12A.04, except that absolute liability shall be imposed for such a violation nor failure to comply and none of the mental states described in Section 12A.04.030 need be proved. The Director my request the City Attorney to prosecute such violations criminally as an alternative to the civil procedure outlined in this chapter. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.280 Additional relief.

6.430.280 - Additional relief. The Director may seek legal or equitable relief to enjoin any acts or practices and abate any condition which constitutes a violation of this chapter when civil or criminal penalties are inadequate to effect compliance. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.290 Existing licenses continued.

6.430.290 - Existing licenses continued. Anyone holding a license issued according to Chapter 6.235, and in effect at the time the ordinance codified in this chapter becomes effective, shall be entitled to continue to operate under that license subject to all the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.430.300 Application of other provisions.

6.430.300 - Application of other provisions. The licenses provided for in this chapter are subject to the general provisions of the Seattle License Code set forth in Chapters 6.01 and 6.202. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of Chapters 6.01 and 6.202 and this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall control. (Ord. 122108, § 2, 2006.)

Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_IVNELICO_CH6.430GAPIRELIFetched: 11/1/2026