Short answer: Yes, a homeowner may do some plumbing work, including replacing part or all of a plumbing system but under strict conditions.
Florida law, building codes, and local jurisdictions impose requirements related to licensing, permits, inspections, quality standards, liability, and safety. If you attempt to do plumbing work without satisfying those, you risk violation, fines, insurance issues, or unsafe installations.
Below is a detailed breakdown.
What Florida Law Says About Plumbing Contractors & Homeowners
First, you need to know what the statutes and codes require.
Licensing Requirements
- Florida defines a plumbing contractor in Florida Statutes, Chapter 489.105. A plumbing contractor is one whose business involves installing, maintaining, repairing, altering, extending, or designing plumbing systems. This includes water supply, drainage, venting, sewer, etc.
- To legally perform contracting in plumbing trade under that definition, a license (either registered or certified plumbing contractor) is required.
Permits & Inspections
- Under the Florida Building Code, any construction work or plumbing work that involves installing, altering, replacing, or moving plumbing systems generally requires a permit.
- Some minor repairs are exempt from permit requirements e.g. stopping leaks, replacing fixtures without changing pipe routing or size. floridabuilding.org
What “Homeowner” Means (Owner-Builder Rules)
Florida law does provide that property owners (if they live in the home) may do some of their own work, including pulling permits in their name in many cases, but there are limitations:
- The owner must be the occupant (i.e. live in the property) and doing the work themselves, not acting as a hired contractor for others.
- When you act as an “owner-builder,” you assume responsibility for compliance with codes, inspections, and safety.
- Sometimes local jurisdictions have additional restrictions or requirements for owner‐builders.
READ MORE: How to Clean Plumbing Vent
What Kind of Plumbing Work Does and Doesn’t Require a License or Permit
To understand what you, as a homeowner, can or can’t do, here are examples:
| Task | Likely Allowed Without a Licensed Contractor | Likely Restricted / Require Licensed Contractor or Permit |
| Replacing a faucet or showerhead (same location, same connections) | Usually allowed without a contractor’s license; small permit or permit exemption may apply. | If moving pipes, changing water/vent size, or rerouting plumbing, a permit and licensed contractor probably needed. |
| Replacing a toilet in same location (with existing flange, drain unchanged) | Often exempt from permit and contractor license requirement | If the drain line or water supply piping must be changed or rerouted, or if altering the plumbing system layout, then not exempt. |
| Replacing a water heater | Usually requires permit; may need licensed plumber depending on connections (electrical, gas, venting) and local code. | |
| Full replacement of water supply piping, sewer lines, waste/vent piping throughout house | Not something a homeowner should do without being a licensed contractor and pulling permits; inspections are required by code. |
Practical Requirements & Steps for Homeowners Who Want to Replace Plumbing
If you (as a homeowner) decide to replace your plumbing system, here’s a checklist you’ll need to follow to do it legally, safely, and to code:
- Check Local & County Requirements
- Even though state law and the Florida Building Code set the baseline, counties or cities may have additional rules—they might require a licensed plumber for certain work, or have stricter permit rules.
- Even though state law and the Florida Building Code set the baseline, counties or cities may have additional rules—they might require a licensed plumber for certain work, or have stricter permit rules.
- Obtain Necessary Permits
- For work involving more than minor repair or replacement in same place, you’ll very likely need a permit before beginning work. The permit will require submitting plans or drawings showing what you intend to change.
- For work involving more than minor repair or replacement in same place, you’ll very likely need a permit before beginning work. The permit will require submitting plans or drawings showing what you intend to change.
- Comply with Building and Safety Code
- Must meet all applicable plumbing codes: materials, pipe sizes, venting, backflow prevention, water quality, gas connections if any, etc.
- Florida Building Code updates every few years be sure you have the current version.
- Must meet all applicable plumbing codes: materials, pipe sizes, venting, backflow prevention, water quality, gas connections if any, etc.
- Handle Utilities Properly
- Turn off water, gas, electricity safely and properly.
- Use approved materials.
- Turn off water, gas, electricity safely and properly.
- Inspection
- After work is done (sometimes even during stages), inspections by the building department are required to verify code compliance. You cannot just “finish and hope.”
- After work is done (sometimes even during stages), inspections by the building department are required to verify code compliance. You cannot just “finish and hope.”
- Insurance & Liability
- If work is done incorrectly, you could be liable for damage, or your homeowner’s insurance may not cover problems if the work was unpermitted or not inspected.
- If work is done incorrectly, you could be liable for damage, or your homeowner’s insurance may not cover problems if the work was unpermitted or not inspected.
- Quality of Workmanship
- Even if legal, the quality of workmanship matters for safety and longevity (e.g. avoiding leaks, proper drainage, preventing mold or water damage).
- Even if legal, the quality of workmanship matters for safety and longevity (e.g. avoiding leaks, proper drainage, preventing mold or water damage).
READ MORE: How to Plumb a Washing Machine Drain
Risks of DIY Plumbing System Replacement
Replacing a full plumbing system is a large, complex task. Some risks include:
- Code Violations: Might miss updated regulations (venting, slope, backflow, anti-siphon, etc.).
- Structural Damage: Plumbing goes through framing, walls, ceilings; mistakes can cause water damage.
- Health Risks: Improper sewer or venting work can lead to foul gases, contamination, or mold.
- Insurance and resale issues: Unpermitted work can complicate selling the home or getting insurance coverage.
- Cost Overruns: Mistakes cost more to fix than hiring professional up front.
When It’s Better to Hire a Licensed Professional
There are many cases where a homeowner should strongly consider hiring a licensed plumbing contractor:
- Full system replacement (water supply, waste lines, venting, etc.).
- Working with gas lines or moving water heater, especially if gas or venting is involved.
- Rerouting or significantly altering plumbing layout.
- Areas where codes or inspections are strict.
- If you lack experience with plumbing work or tools.
Licensed plumbers are required to carry insurance, follow code, and pass inspections; their work reduces risk.
Case Examples / Local Variations
- In Collier County, Florida, all water heater replacements require a permit and final inspection.
- Many Florida counties follow the Florida Building Code’s exemptions for “minor repairs” (leaks, fixture swaps) without permit when no pipes are altered or rerouted.
The Legal Statutes & Concrete References
Here are key legal references home-owners should review:
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 489.105: Definition of plumbing contractor, licensing requirements.
- Florida Building Code, Section on Permit Exemptions. For example, Section 105.2 lists which plumbing work is exempt.
- Local building department policies (county or city) for permits, inspections, and license enforcement.
Summary: What a Homeowner Can Do and What They Must Not Do
You can do:
- Replacing fixtures (toilets, faucets, shower heads) in the same location, with no changes to pipes.
- Fixing leaks, minor repairs.
- Possibly replacing a water heater if local codes allow, provided you get required permits if needed, and meet safety codes.
You must not do (unless licensed / permitted):
- Move or reroute water supply, waste, vent piping.
- Change pipe sizes or materials in ways not allowed.
- Work on gas plumbing unless properly certified.
- Perform work that violates local building code or safety requirements.
Conclusion
Replacing a plumbing system in Florida as a homeowner is possible, but only under limited conditions. The law is clear that many plumbing functions require a licensed plumbing contractor and permits. Doing without can lead to serious legal, financial, and safety consequences.
If you’re planning to replace part or all of your plumbing system:
- First check your local code and permitting requirements.
- Determine whether what you want to do is exempt or not.
- If not exempt, either get licensed or hire a licensed professional.
- Ensure all work is inspected and compliant.
It can be tempting to save money by doing everything yourself, but with a system as important (and potentially dangerous) as plumbing, the risks are often not worth it unless you are sure of what you’re doing.
