Inspections

Major plumbing projects and the installation of gas furnaces and appliances must be done by a licensed professional and be inspected by WSSC Water.

To ensure that plumbing and gas installations meet minimum Code requirements, WSSC Plumbing and Gasfitting Regulations require that in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, most plumbing projects must be done by a WSSC Water-licensed plumber or gasfitter. This page gives an overview of important information for professionals and homeowners to know.

Requesting emergency inspections

Requests for emergency gas or plumbing inspections (that is, after-hours, weekends or holidays) will be considered only after on-call inspector communicates with plumber during off hours. Examples of emergencies include:

• Gas repairs in multi-family complexes where the residents are without heat, hot water, or cooking facilities
• Water service repairs during freezing weather
• Repairs to deep water/sewer piping in areas where job site conditions pose an imminent threat to public safety.

The most common emergency occurs after an apartment fire. In this situation, the gas utility removes the gas meter to ensure safety. Before restoring service, all gas piping must be pressure-tested and any major health or safety items must be brought up to Code. Each building address requires one short-form permit at the time of inspection.

The procedure for requesting an emergency inspection is as follows:

You must call as soon as your company is contracted to do the work. Provide the job name and location, permit number, contact person and phone numbers, and the estimated time and date that the emergency inspection will be required.  

After a second call to notify us that the work is ready for inspection, a Plumbing Inspector will be dispatched. As a general rule, the inspector will not be sent between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Emergency Inspection Phone Numbers

• During business hours:
  301-206-4004 (Regulatory Services Division)
• After hours:
  301-206-4002 (WSSC Water Emergency Services)

Gas inspection requirements

WSSC Water is charged by the State of Maryland with issuing permits for and inspecting all natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas installations in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. In general, first-time installation of natural gas or LP gas appliances, or replacement work, requires a WSSC Water permit and must be done by a master gasfittter licensee. A WSSC Water plumbing inspector must inspect the work within 10 business days of the installation.

Inspections can be scheduled in advance. Inspections are performed Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (with the exception of holidays or inclement weather).

Homeowners should be aware that the licensee is responsible for notifying WSSC Water if the inspection does not happen within the given timeframe, which can affect your manufacturer's warranty and any warranty provided by the licensee.

Gas Appliances Require Permits, Proper Installations

Information for Homeowners

WSSC Plumbing and Gasfitting Regulations require that in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, most  plumbing projects must be done by a WSSC Water-licensed plumber or gasfitter. This ensures that installations meet minimum Code requirements. Examples of work that must be performed by a licensed plumber or gasfitter include work for construction of a new home; water/sewer service line repairs and replacements; interior re-piping, and all gas work such as furnace replacements and gas water heater replacements.

In selecting a plumber or gasfitter, remember this advice:

• Always inquire before you hire
• Get a contract in writing
• Make them finish half-way before you pay

The plumber or gasfitter must provide you with their WSSC Water license number, which you can verify by calling our Licensing Office at 301-206-8588.

Find a WSSC Water Licensed Plumber

Plumbing & Fuel Gas Inspections

Short-Form Permit Instructions:

Procedure For Scheduling Short-Form Inspections

• It shall be the Master Plumber's/Gasfitter's responsibility, not the homeowner's, to ensure the work performed under this permit has been inspected by WSSC Water within ten (10) calendar days of installation. For the convenience of the homeowner, the homeowner may schedule the inspection his/herself.
• Inspections are scheduled for the next business day. To schedule your inspection call 301-206-4004 between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You can also call the interactive voice response system at 301-206-8383.
• Please have your permit in-hand when you call. View the WSSC Water Holidays for the current year.
• In general, the plumber/gasfitter who performed the work does not have to be present for the inspection. However, the homeowner or their representative must escort the inspector for inside and backyard inspections. Inspectors will not enter yards or homes where dogs/animals are unattended.
• Please alert the scheduler of any special circumstances concerning your inspection.

Have you had a failed inspection on a short-form permit with reinspection fees due or do you have an expired short-form permit? Learn more at the link below.

Short-Form Permit Reinspection Reactivation Tutorial

Get more information for Homeowners

Inspection Services Staff

Shawn Cooper: 301-206-4004
Debra Johnson: 301-206-4004
Deborah Hawthorne: 301-206-4004
Rhoshon Lockhart: 301-206-4004
Luis E. Tapia: 301-206-4004
Inspection Services Supervisor: 301-206-8526

*Inspectors are assigned to four different depot offices. They are in their offices between 6:45 - 7:30 a.m.
and 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Inspection Zones and Staff Contacts

Inspectors are assigned to four different depot offices and are in their offices between 6:45-7:30 a.m. and 2:30-3 p.m.A complete list of inspectors can be viewed here.

Related Topics

• Contact Information
• WSSC Water Plumbing Inspections Virtual Inspections
• WSSC Water Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code
• Guide to Code Consistency for 2018 Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code
• FOG Information for Plumbers
• Sewer Blockage Commitment Form
• WSSC Water Holidays
• How do I get a new Small Meter installed after inspection?