The city of Philadelphia has modernized its plumbing code based on the 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC). The IPC is one of a family of correlated and coordinated codes published by the International Code Council – the International Codes (I-Codes) – that are the most widely used and adopted set of building codes in the world.

Mayor Jim Kenney signed the bill on September 17, completing a process that began in 2017, when he signed an executive order for the reestablishment of the Plumbing Advisory Board to propose substantial updates to the Philadelphia Plumbing Code. The new code helps ensure transparency and consistency in the city’s plumbing infrastructure and incorporates the latest technology to promote cost savings, energy efficiency and water conservation. The updated city code also retains some of the current provisions of the Philadelphia Plumbing Code, such as those related to single stack waste and vent systems, to provide consistency when altering existing buildings.