Every existing plumbing and drainage system in any building shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.  When any such system becomes defective or unsanitary in whole or in part such portion as is proved defective and unsanitary shall be made in a manner to meet the requirements and provisions of this Title and the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code.

(Amended by Ordinance No. 168183, effective Nov. 1, 1994.)  All plumbing work in or about buildings or on private property shall be performed under the direction of a plumbing contractor except:

(Amended by Ordinance No. 170576, effective November 1, 1996.)  The Plumbing Inspector has authority to issue a permit for work regulated by this Title to a bona fide owner of a single-family residential structure.  In issuance of the permit, he shall consider where

(Amended by Ordinance Nos. 168183 and 176955, effective October 9, 2002.)  All plumbing work shall be performed either by an owner or by a journeyman plumber holding a valid certificate of competency from the State of Oregon, or a registered and indentured apprentice.  All journeyman plumbers while engaged in plumbing work shall carry with them their Oregon State Certificate of Competency.  All apprentice plumbers shall carry with them their apprentice registration cards and shall produce same at the request of the Plumbing Inspector of the Portland Bureau of Development Services.  It shall be the duty of the Plumbing Inspector of the Bureau of Development Services to require the journeyman plumber and apprentice plumber to show their registration card. 

(Amended by Ordinance No. 168183, effective November. 1, 1994.)  Upon completion of the work covered by the plumbing permit, the person engaged to do such work shall notify the Plumbing Inspector of such completion.  As soon as possible after the receipt of such notice, final inspection shall be made by the Plumbing Inspector.  If corrections are required, the permittee shall be notified in writing, setting forth the nature of the violation or violations.  If a person, plumbing contractor, or sewer contractor is delinquent for more than 10 days in making corrections to plumbing after having been notified by the Plumbing Inspector, further permits to such person, plumbing contractor, or sewer contractor may be refused until the corrections have been made; and if the job is started in violation of this Section, the penalties imposed by this Title shall be enforced.  If it is found that the work complies in all respects with the requirements of this Title, a certificate in writing to that effect shall be issued on demand by the Plumbing Inspector.  No plumbing system shall be placed in service until its formal approval as evidenced by the certificate of final inspection shall have been made.  Provision shall be made to have access to the building and water turned on to all fixtures so that one inspection will cover all the work under plumbing permit.

It is unlawful for any person to engage in, or carry on, or to represent and advertise himself as engaged in or carrying on the business of plumbing contractor, or sewer contractor in the City of Portland, or to use the words “plumbing contractor,” “sewer contractor,” or “plumber,” or “plumbing,” or expose a sign containing similar import for such purpose, implying that the advertiser is so engaged, unless such person has obtained a registration to engage in and carry on a business of plumbing contractor or sewer contractor in the City of Portland.

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to use, employ, or permit the insertion of any mechanical device in any sewer, branch sewer, soil drain, or waste line, for the purpose of cleaning or clearing out the same, unless the person, firm, or corporation is listed with the City of Portland to perform this work.  Exception ‑ a homeowner or qualified maintenance man may clean drains or sewers.