GENERALLY

Gulfport Code of Ordinances ch. 3, art. III, div. 1

in effect

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-56 Plumbing code adopted.

Sec. 3-56. - Plumbing code adopted. (a) That certain document, one (1) copy of which is on file in the office of the Building Official of the City of Gulfport, being marked and designated as the International Plumbing Code, 2018 edition, including Appendices C and E, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Plumbing Code of the City of Gulfport, Mississippi, for regulating and governing the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems in the City of Gulfport; and provide for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the resolutions, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Plumbing Code on file in the office of the Building Official of the City of Gulfport are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this ordinance, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any prescribed in section (b) of this article. (b) [Plumbing code amendment reveisions:] That the following sections are hereby revised: Section 101.1. Insert: "City of Gulfport, Mississippi" Section 103. Department of Plumbing Inspection. Delete in its entirety. Section 106.6.2. Fee schedule. Delete in its entirety. Section 106.6.3. Fee Refunds. Insert at No. 2: "100%;" Insert at No. 3: "100%" Section 108.4. Violation penalties. Delete: "[specify offense], punishable by a fine of not more than [amount] dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding [number of days], or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense." Insert in its place: "misdemeanor in accordance with Section 1-9 General Penalty of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gulfport, MS." Section 108.5. Stop Work Orders. Delete in last portion of last sentence in paragraph: "liable to a fine of not less than (amount) dollars or more than (amount) dollars." Insert in its place: "guilty of a misdemeanor in accordance with Section 1-9 of the code of Ordinances of the City of Gulfport, MS." Section 109.1. Means of Appeal. Delete "board of appeals" and insert in its place "Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals (hereinafter "board of appeals")". Section 305.4.1. Insert: "12 inches" in two places. Section 903.1. Insert: "8 inches" (Code 1963, § 20-01; Ord. No. 1836, § 1, 5-2-89; Ord. No. 1922, §§ 1—3, 3-2-93; Ord. No. 1973, §§ 1—3, 10-18-94; Ord. No. 2111, § 1, 11-5-97; Ord. No. 2497, § 1, 10-4-06; Ord. No. 2653, §§ 1, 3, 11-4-09; Ord. No. 2807, §§ 1, 2, 12-2-14; Ord. No. 2961, §§ 1, 2, 8-7-18)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-57 Definitions and construction of terms.

Sec. 3-57. - Definitions and construction of terms. The following definitions and rules of construction shall be used in interpreting this article. Terms not defined in this section shall have the meanings prescribed in the Standard Plumbing Code: Auxiliary vent is an additional vent stack assisting the main vent which passes through the roof independently. Back vent is that part of a vent line which connects directly with an individual trap near the fixture and extends either to the main or branch vent pipe. Caliber, size; length. The given caliber or size of a pipe is for its standard internal diameter and the length of a pipe is its developed length taken along the centerline. Distance. The distance of pipes from each other or from fixtures is the horizontal distance between centers of pipes or fixture outlets. Fixture or fixtures, when used in general sense, applies to all receptacles which receive the house sewage or waste from which water is used as a flush; when used specifically, it means any of such receptacles, including water closets. It also means any tank or other contrivance or heater or vessel through which water passes to supply hot water to a bathtub, sink, basin or other vessel where hot water is needed. Flow line is the extreme top or overflow point of a fixture. Inspector, when used without prefix or affix, means the chief inspector charged with the enforcement of the provisions of this plumbing article and the rules contained herein. Main drain means a lateral or main drain of the horizontal piping of a house drainage system, extending from the house drain to its connecting with a main or private sewer and conveying the drainage of one (1) or more buildings on the same lot. Outside water closet is any closet that is installed in a building detached from the main building and not inhabited, or on the porch of a house when it is located in a room which has no door or other opening between it and the main house. Seal of the trap is the height of the water column measured between the point of overflow and the dip of diversion level separating the inlet and outlet arms of the trap. Sewer is a general term for a system of horizontal drainage from any building site to main public or private sewer. Soil or waste vent is that part of the main soil or waste pipe above the highest installed branch or fixture outlet connection extending through the roof. (Code 1963, §§ 20-1, 20-3)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-58 Persons authorized to do work.

Sec. 3-58. - Persons authorized to do work. All plumbing work shall be performed under the supervision of a qualified licensed master plumber, occasionally referred to in this article as master contractors, and shall be performed by master plumbers or journeymen plumbers; provided that licensed gasfitters, licensed under this article, may replace (but not initially install) floor furnaces, wall heaters, space heaters or other gas appliances, except those connected to water or electrical services, subject to permit and inspection as provided herein. Any person may do the plumbing in the residence owned and occupied by him as a home provided it meets the requirements of this article. (Code 1963, § 20-1)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-59 Nonconforming fixtures.

Sec. 3-59. - Nonconforming fixtures. No fixtures shall be installed and no fixture shall be reconnected or reinstated where it does not meet with the requirements of this article. (Code 1963, § 20-2)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-60 Plumbers to report unsanitary conditions.

Sec. 3-60. - Plumbers to report unsanitary conditions. It shall be the duty of every plumber doing work in the city to report to the county health department all unsanitary conditions coming to their attention. The failure of any plumber to report such conditions within twenty-four (24) hours after they come to his attention shall be a misdemeanor. (Code 1963, § 20-4)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-61 Regulations applicable to new systems in old buildings.

Sec. 3-61. - Regulations applicable to new systems in old buildings. New systems of plumbing in old buildings are governed by the same rules and regulations as those which govern new systems of plumbing in new buildings. (Code 1963, § 20-5)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-62 Permits, requirements for work in old buildings.

Sec. 3-62. - Permits, requirements for work in old buildings. Applications must be made and permits obtained for all extensions, alterations or other work to be done in connection with the house drain, any plumbing work or water supply in old buildings, except minor repairs, and the work shall be done in the same manner and under the same rules as work in new buildings. By minor repairs are meant leaks in pipes, traps and cocks or faucets; opening up waste pipes, traps and drains through cleanouts only and repairing broken fixtures and broken pipes. All repairs on sewer side of traps must be inspected. (Code 1963, § 20-6)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-63 Plumbing board created; membership, terms, vacancies.

Sec. 3-63. - Plumbing board created; membership, terms, vacancies. The mayor, with the confirmation of the city council, shall appoint five (5) practical and experienced plumbers, one (1) of whom shall be a journeyman plumber, to serve for three-year staggered terms on what shall be known as "the plumbing board," unless sooner removed by the mayor with the confirmation of the council. All vacancies in the board because of resignation, death or removal prior to the expiration of the term of any member shall be filled by appointment made for the unexpired term of such member who has vacated his office. One (1) member of the plumbing board shall be named as chairman on a majority vote of the board, and the members of the board, together with the city engineer, shall constitute and act as a board of examiners. Members of the plumbing board shall receive the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per year in partial reimbursement of expense in connection with performance of their duties. (Code 1963, § 20-8; Ord. No. 1790, § 1, 12-22-87)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-64 Advisory duties of board; duty to require examination and to certify plumbers.

Sec. 3-64. - Advisory duties of board; duty to require examination and to certify plumbers. The duties of the board will be to act as an advisory board in matters pertaining to plumbing and drainage of buildings. It shall be their duty to require all plumbers who wish to engage in the business to pass the Mississippi Standard Contractors Examination in the appropriate category as the only written examination required, and to require the applicant to prove competency by such interviews, references, and practical requirements as the board shall require for all applicants as a prerequisite to issuance of a certificate of competency and authority to engage in the business of plumbing as a master plumber. (Code 1963, § 20-9; Ord. No. 2085, § 2, 6-3-97)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-65 Master contractors to be certified, licensed, post bond.

Sec. 3-65. - Master contractors to be certified, licensed, post bond. Anyone applying to engage in the plumbing business as a master contractor, before being certified, must take the appropriate Mississippi Standard Contractors Examination administered by the Standard Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI), of which Gulfport is a participating jurisdiction, and the board must receive a report from SBCCI that said applicant has received a passing grade on the standard written examination in the required category. The applicant must then secure a privilege license from the city clerk and make bond of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), indemnifying the city against loss or damage caused by the failure of such contractor or employee to comply with the City Code of Ordinances and regulations or caused by any negligence of the contractor. (Code 1963, § 20-10; Ord. No. 2085, § 2, 6-3-97)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-66 Examination fee for master plumber; issuance, renewal of certificates.

Sec. 3-66. - Examination fee for master plumber; issuance, renewal of certificates. Applicant shall pay for all examination fees as required by SBCCI to sit for the standard examination. The contractor's license fee (certificate of competency) shall be issued if the applicant passes the standard written examination and satisfies the practical requirements of the plumbing and mechanical board. The license fee shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00). Such licenses must be renewed annually at the first of October. Each licensed master plumber shall be entitled to renewal of the license at the first of October upon payment of all state, county or city license fees or taxes. A license not renewed prior to October 1 of any year may be renewed thereafter upon payment of the aforesaid license and taxes and payment of an additional fifty (50) percent of the renewal license fee. (Code 1963, § 20-11; Ord. No. 2085, § 2, 6-3-97; Ord. No. 2331, § 9, 9-12-02)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-67 Master to make deposit for street repair; revocation of licenses.

Sec. 3-67. - Master to make deposit for street repair; revocation of licenses. In addition to the three thousand dollar ($3,000.00) bond above enumerated, the applicant for certification as a master contractor shall deposit with the city clerk fifty dollars ($50.00), which sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, may be used under the direction of the street commissioner or the plumbing inspector in repairing any street or other public property where the applicant failed to properly repair the same. Such deposit and the bond provided for in section 3-65 shall be at all times maintained by the applicant. Each plumber's license shall be renewed annually. Plumbers' licenses may be revoked for violation of the plumbing ordinances of the city. (Code 1963, § 20-12)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-68 Examination and certification of journeymen plumber and pipe fitters.

Sec. 3-68. - Examination and certification of journeymen plumber and pipe fitters. Anyone applying to engage in the plumbing business as a journeyman plumber or pipe fitter in the city, before being certified, must take the appropriate Mississippi Standard Contractors Examination administered by SBCCI, of which Gulfport is a participating jurisdiction, and the board must receive a report from SBCCI that said applicant has received a passing grade on the standard written examination in the required category. Applicant shall pay all examination fees as required by SBCCI to sit for the standard examination. The certificate shall be issued if the applicant passes the standard written exam and satisfies the practical requirements of the board. Certificates issued during any year shall expire at the end of the calendar year. Renewal of certificates shall be done without reexamination upon application accompanied by a renewal process fee of ten dollars ($10.00). (Code 1963, § 20-13; Ord. No. 2085, § 2, 6-3-97)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-69 Suspension, revocation of licenses for violations.

Sec. 3-69. - Suspension, revocation of licenses for violations. Any licensed plumber who shall neglect or refuse to comply with these regulations or with the conditions of the permit shall have his license suspended or revoked, shall thereby be debarred from obtaining permits or doing plumbing work by such length of time as the plumbing board shall deem just and proper, and shall also be liable to prosecution. (Code 1963, § 20-14)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-70 Suspension of licenses for bad faith, delay; responsibility for violations by employees.

Sec. 3-70. - Suspension of licenses for bad faith, delay; responsibility for violations by employees. Bad faith or unreasonable delay in plumbing work shall be deemed a sufficient reason for subjecting the plumber so offending to a suspension of his license, and every plumber shall be held responsible for the violation of these regulations by mechanics, laborers and helpers employed by him, as well as mechanics, laborers and helpers themselves. (Code 1963, § 20-15)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-71 Workers to be competent.

Sec. 3-71. - Workers to be competent. All plumbing and drainage work shall be done by competent workers for each particular class of work. (Code 1963, § 20-16)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-72 Inspector may stop incompetent workers.

Sec. 3-72. - Inspector may stop incompetent workers. At the discretion of the plumbing inspector, he may stop any journeyman from performing such work as he deems the worker or mechanic is not competent or sufficiently skillful to perform. (Code 1963, § 20-17)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-73 Qualifications met before beginning work; possession of permit; allowing fraudulent use of name.

Sec. 3-73. - Qualifications met before beginning work; possession of permit; allowing fraudulent use of name. Before beginning any work all of the requirements mentioned for qualifications must be complied with and permit issued for such work must be in possession of that person making application for such permit. No person conducting a plumbing business shall allow his name to be used by any person. (Code 1963, § 20-18)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-74 Inspector's right of entry; enforcement powers and duties.

Sec. 3-74. - Inspector's right of entry; enforcement powers and duties. The plumbing inspector is hereby given police power with authority to enter any and all buildings and places within the city limits for the purpose of inspecting plumbing, drainage and ventilation already constructed or in the course of construction, repair or alteration, and in all cases where the plumbing inspector finds that this article or any other plumbing ordinance of the city has been or is being violated, he shall have the authority, and it shall be his duty, to arrest or cause to be arrested the person so violating the law and shall file the necessary charges against such person, who shall be dealt with subject to punishment as herein provided. (Code 1963, § 20-23)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-75 Submission, approval of plans.

Sec. 3-75. - Submission, approval of plans. (a) Required for new buildings. The plumbing, drainage, and plumbing ventilation in all buildings, both public and private, erected in the city shall be executed in accordance with plans previously approved by the plumbing inspector, in writing, and suitable drawings and descriptions of the plumbing and drainage and means of ventilation shall be in each case submitted and placed on file in the office of the plumbing inspector. (b) Plans for identical systems. Where the buildings are situated together on one (1) street and the plumbing is the same in each, the plan for one (1) building in the block will be sufficient. (c) Standards for plans. Plans of the plumbing and drainage of buildings must be drawn on heavy paper or tracing cloth seven (7) by eleven (11) inches or multiples thereof. One (1) vertical drawing is sufficient for a building when it can be made to show for all work, if not, others must be submitted. (d) Beginning time required. Plans of the plumbing work filed with this department for approval shall state within what time the work therein will begin. If it is not begun under the approved plans within the time therein specified such plans must be again presented to the department for consideration. (e) Details required. Every plan must be accompanied by a clear description thereof, or abstract of the specification, on a blank prescribed and supplied for this purpose by the department showing block and lot numbers of each house, size, kind, and weight of pipes and kind of traps, closets, and fixtures to be used. (f) Expiration of approval. Plans are approved upon the condition that such approval expires by its own limitation within six (6) months from the date of permit, unless work under it is then in progress. (g) Deadline for approval, rejection. Plans and specifications will be approved or rejected within five (5) days from the date of filing with the inspector. (h) Changes, modifications. No change or modification of plans will be permitted unless such change or modification is submitted to the department, approved and placed on file, as in the case of the original work, and no alteration of the original plan will be allowed, except on the written application of the owner of the property or his duly authorized agent. (Code 1963, § 20-24)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-76 Applications for inspections.

Sec. 3-76. - Applications for inspections. (a) Applications for inspections must be filed at the office of the inspector of plumbing by the plumber, on blanks, furnished by the city. (b) Applications for roughing-in inspections must be made when roughing-in is complete and this includes water supply, unless same is exposed on walls or ceilings, and before any of the work is covered up or made inaccessible to the inspector. (c) For sewer inspections applications must be made, stating time when sewer will be complete and before same is covered. (d) For final inspections application must be made when all fixtures are complete and before the house drain is connected or any portion of the system is used. (Code 1963, § 20-29)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-77 Certificate of inspection.

Sec. 3-77. - Certificate of inspection. When any plumbing work for which a permit has been issued is completed and done in accordance with the rules and regulations of this article, it shall be the duty of the plumbing inspector to issue a certificate of inspection to the plumber certifying that the plumbing work has been inspected and approved by him; and water will not be turned on to the premises or meter placed until the plumbing inspector's certificate is in the hands of the water department. (Code 1963, § 20-31)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-78 Testing required.

Sec. 3-78. - Testing required. All plumbing work must be tested by the plumber in the presence of the inspector before it is accepted. When it is inconvenient or impracticable to test the entire work at one time, it can be tested in sections. (Code 1963, § 20-32)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-79 Procedure for roughing-in tests.

Sec. 3-79. - Procedure for roughing-in tests. All roughing-in tests must be made with water. For such testing the iron extension of the soil pipe outside of the house or building shall be securely closed, as shall all branches, inlets and other openings of the work to be tested. The closing of joints and pipes must be sufficiently tight and strong to withstand the pressure of a column of water reaching to the top of the pipe to be tested, with a minimum ten-foot head required. The pipe shall then be filled with water to its top and shall stand so without perceptible lowering. If the water is lowered by leakage, the leakage must be found and made tight by the plumber, and the work shall not be approved by the inspector until the water stands at the top without perceptible lowering. (Code 1963, § 20-33)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-80 Testing extensions, alteration of existing system.

Sec. 3-80. - Testing extensions, alteration of existing system. In case of extension or alteration of any existing plumbing system, the same, if new stacks are run, shall be tested when roughed-in and when completed as hereinbefore provided. (Code 1963, § 20-34)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-81 Fixtures to be open; concealing work before inspection.

Sec. 3-81. - Fixtures to be open; concealing work before inspection. All plumbing fixtures shall be installed as open plumbing and no plumbing or drain laying work shall be covered up until inspected by the inspector or his deputy who shall show his badge of authority on request. (Code 1963, § 20-35)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-82 Inspections, plans when special permits issued.

Sec. 3-82. - Inspections, plans when special permits issued. Where special permits are issued, the location shall be inspected before the work is started and duplicate plans shall be submitted, approved and placed on file. These plans shall show the proposed work in plan and elevation. (Code 1963, § 20-36)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-83 Permit and inspection fees.

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-84 Excavation permit required; charge for repairs.

Sec. 3-84. - Excavation permit required; charge for repairs. It is hereby required that a permit be taken out for each excavation in any street, avenue, alley or sidewalk. Whenever any person making an excavation on the street or alley fails to refill the same in a proper manner as required by this article, or fails to maintain the same for a reasonable period satisfactorily to the city engineer, then the director of public works shall cause such work to be done, and the cost thereof shall be charged against the deposit hereinafter provided. It is further provided that the city shall set up a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) for three-quarter-inch pipe and twenty dollars ($20.00) for one-inch pipe which shall be the normal charge for each repair to streets, avenues, alleys or sidewalks to any person applying therefor, all work and liability involved to rest solely with the city. (Code 1963, § 20-43)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-85 Swimming pools.

Sec. 3-85. - Swimming pools. All plumbing work and related fixtures, fittings or facilities in swimming pools shall be installed by journeymen plumbers under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. No swimming pool may be filled by hose except under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. (Code 1963, § 20-51)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-86 Swimming pool [and spa] code adopted; temporary fence required.

Sec. 3-86. - Swimming pool [and spa] code adopted; temporary fence required. (a) That certain document, one (1) copy of which is on file in the office of the Building Official of the City of Gulfport, being marked and designated as the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2018 edition, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Swimming Pool and Spa Code of the City of Gulfport, Mississippi, for regulating and governing the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, location, removal and demolition of swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, aquatic facilities and related equipment; and each and all of the resolutions, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Swimming Pool and Spa Code on file in the office of the Building Official of the City of Gulfport are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this ordinance, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any prescribed in section 3-87 of this article. (b) Further, all licensed pool contractors shall erect a temporary fence (at least forty-eight (48) inches high) at the beginning of excavation and during construction of the pool; said fence shall be removed only after final inspection by the building official. (c) Throughout the swimming pool code adopted in subsection (a), when reference is made to the duties of a certain official named therein, that designed [designated] official of the city who has duties corresponding to those of the named official in such code shall be deemed to be the responsible official insofar as enforcing the provisions of such code are concerned. (Ord. No. 1808, § 2, 7-5-88; Ord. No. 1924, §§ 1—3, 3-2-93; Ord. No. 1975, §§ 1, 3, 10-18-94; Ord. No. 2815, § 1, 12-2-14; Ord. No. 2964, § 1, 8-7-18)

Gulfport Code of Ordinances § 3-87 [Swimming pool code]—Amendments, revisions.

Sec. 3-87. - [Swimming pool code]—Amendments, revisions. That the following sections are hereby revised: Section 101.1. Insert: City of Gulfport, Mississippi Section 103. Department of Building Safety. Delete in its entirety. Section 105.6.2. Fee Schedule. Delete in its entirety. Section 105.6.3. Fee refunds. Insert 100% in two locations. Section 107.4. Violation penalties. Delete: "[specify offense], punishable by a fine of not more than [amount] dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding [number of days], or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense." Insert in its place: "misdemeanor in accordance with Section 1-9 General Penalty of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gulfport, MS." Section 107.5. Stop Work Orders. Delete in last portion of last sentence in paragraph: "liable to a fine of not less than (amount) dollars or more than (amount) dollars." Insert in its place: "guilty of a misdemeanor in accordance with Section 1-9 of the code of Ordinances of the City of Gulfport, MS." Section 108.1. Application for appeal. Delete "board of appeals" and insert in its place "Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals (hereinafter "board of appeals")". (Ord. No. 2497, § 2, 10-4-06; Ord. No. 2653, §§ 2, 3, 11-4-09; Ord. No. >2815, § 2, 12-2-14; Ord. No. 2964, § 2, 8-7-18)

Source: City of Gulfport, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/gulfport/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH3BU_ARTIIIPLGA_DIV1GEFetched: 11/1/2026