What is covered in Austin
Commercial plumbing in Austin under a Facility First program covers:
- Leak repair on supply, drain, waste and vent piping
- Restroom fixture, flush valve and faucet repair and replacement
- Drain and sewer line clearing, with camera inspection where needed
- Water heater repair and replacement
- Backflow prevention assembly testing, repair and report filing with Austin Water
- Grease trap and grease interceptor pump-outs by City-permitted haulers, with manifests kept on file
- Freeze protection checks and emergency shutoff support
Licensing and permits in Austin
| Requirement | Agency | Level | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing licenses (Responsible Master Plumber, Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited) and endorsements | Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners | State | TSBPE |
| Contractor registration with the City before applying for a trade permit | City of Austin Development Services Department | City | Austin: Contractor Registration |
| Stand-alone plumbing trade permit for work not tied to a building permit, applied for by a registered trade contractor | City of Austin Development Services Department | City | Austin: Stand-Alone Trade Permits |
| Backflow testing by a licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester registered with the City of Austin | Austin Water | City | Austin Water: Backflow Prevention Overview |
| Grease trap waste removed only by a liquid waste hauler licensed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and permitted by the City of Austin | Austin Water; TCEQ | City and state | Austin Water: Pretreatment FAQ |
Some commercial repairs do not need a permit. The City’s exempt work list includes stopping a leak in a drain, soil, waste or vent pipe where no defective concealed component must be replaced, and repairing or replacing fixtures and faucets where no other department or trade is involved. Burst pipe repairs that are not exempt can use the City’s emergency permit process; once the permit is posted, the contractor can begin the repair and schedule inspections. Sites outside the City of Austin or the Austin Water service area follow their own building department and utility.
Codes and local rules
Plumbing code. Austin enforces the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code with local amendments, effective July 10, 2025. Providers working outside the city confirm which plumbing code applies at each address.
Backflow. Austin Water states that backflow prevention assemblies are subject to initial and periodic testing, and to annual inspection, maintenance, testing and reporting requirements. Assemblies are typically required on connections serving irrigation systems, fertilizers or auxiliary water sources, and on connections involving industrial fluids or chemicals. Test and maintenance reports are filed online. Austin Water has announced that its WEIRS database is being retired and that test submissions move to a new application, Klir, which is set to go live on November 17, 2026.
Grease traps. Under City Code Section 15-10-197, grease traps must be pumped out at least once every 90 days, and sooner when grease and solids reach 50 percent or more of the wetted height of the trap. Hauler manifests must be kept on site for three years. Austin Water’s pretreatment FAQ states that Industrial Waste staff must be present while the trap is serviced to perform the inspection, so pump-outs are coordinated with the hauler and the City. Enzyme and bacteria products are not to be used to break down grease in the trap, and food grinders and disposals have been banned in commercial kitchens in the Austin Water service area since 2008. A restaurant can apply to Austin Water for a reduced cleaning frequency.
Preventive maintenance schedule for plumbing
Plumbing work is mostly on demand, but scheduled testing, pump-outs and drain service keep small problems from becoming closures. At Austin restaurants and stores, planned work reduces backups during trading hours, extends equipment life and produces the test reports and manifests Austin Water asks to see.
| Task | Recommended frequency | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Test backflow prevention assemblies and file the report with Austin Water | At installation and annually | Austin Water |
| Pump and clean grease traps by a City-permitted hauler | At least every 90 days, and sooner at 50 percent of wetted height | Austin City Code Section 15-10-197, as stated by Austin Water |
| Keep grease trap hauler manifests on site | Retain for three years | Austin City Code Section 15-10-165, as stated by Austin Water |
| Activate plumbed emergency eyewash stations | Weekly | ANSI Z358.1, as summarized by the University of Nevada, Reno |
| Flush storage water heaters and check temperature and pressure relief valves | As the manufacturer specifies | Manufacturer instructions |
| Jet or snake high-use kitchen and restroom drain lines | Quarterly to twice a year, based on backup history | Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
| Inspect fixtures, flush valves, supply stops and visible piping for leaks | Quarterly | Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
| Check exposed piping, outdoor faucets and assemblies for freeze protection | Each fall, and before forecast freezes | City of Austin winter weather guidance; Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
| Exercise main and fixture shutoff valves | Annually | Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
The authority having jurisdiction, the manufacturer and the property’s insurer can require more frequent service, and each location’s schedule is set in its program and recorded on every visit.
Seasonal and local conditions
Hard freezes are infrequent in Austin, so exposed piping, outdoor faucets and backflow assemblies are easy to overlook until one is forecast. The City’s winter weather guidance, drawing on Austin Water, advises insulating pipes in unheated and drafty areas, wrapping outdoor faucets, turning off irrigation systems for the winter and keeping the water main shutoff valve clear and easy to reach. Facility First records the shutoff location and exposed assemblies at each site so they can be protected quickly when a freeze is forecast.
Heavy rain is the other seasonal risk. Roof drains and storm lines that run above sales floors and dining rooms are checked before the spring storm season so a blocked line does not back up into the space. In summer, outdoor work such as backflow testing at the street is scheduled for early morning where building rules allow.
Where Facility First works in Austin
Facility First manages plumbing for locations across Austin’s main retail and business areas, including The Domain, South Congress Avenue, the Second Street District, Barton Creek Square, Hill Country Galleria and the Downtown Austin Central Business District. Restaurant kitchens drive most grease trap and drain work; stores and offices drive restroom, fixture and water heater calls. Typical clients are retail and luxury retail, restaurants and corporate offices. Restaurant work is scheduled around service, retail work before opening or after close, and office work under building access rules.
How plumbing requests are handled
- Request. Submitted through the platform or by phone, with photos where available.
- Triage. Facility First confirms scope, priority and warranty, and whether a permit, a backflow report or a grease trap manifest is involved.
- Dispatch. A vetted Austin plumbing provider holding the required Texas license receives the work order.
- Photo close-out. The provider documents the repair, test result or pump-out manifest.
- Verification and invoice. The work is checked against the request and invoiced in one format, with test reports and manifests stored against the location.
Work within the client’s approval limits proceeds directly; anything above a limit, such as a water heater replacement, is quoted first.
Security by McCray in Austin
Where a burst pipe or flood forces a location to close with doors or ceilings open, McCray can post an officer until the work is complete. Security services in Austin
Frequently asked questions
How often must a grease trap be pumped in Austin?
At least once every 90 days under City Code Section 15-10-197, and sooner when grease and solids reach 50 percent of the trap’s wetted height. Only a hauler permitted by the City of Austin may remove the waste, and manifests are kept on site for three years.
Is backflow testing required every year in Austin?
Austin Water states that backflow prevention assemblies are subject to annual inspection, maintenance, testing and reporting. Testing must be done by a licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester registered with the City of Austin.
Which plumbing code does Austin use?
Austin enforces the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code with local amendments, effective July 10, 2025.
Does fixing a leak in an Austin store need a permit?
The City exempts commercial work to stop a leak in a drain, soil, waste or vent pipe when no defective concealed component must be replaced, along with repairing or replacing fixtures and faucets. Other work generally needs a plumbing trade permit pulled by a registered contractor.
How often should commercial plumbing in Austin be serviced?
Backflow assemblies are tested annually and grease traps pumped at least every 90 days. The program default adds quarterly fixture and drain checks, freeze protection checks each fall and annual shutoff valve exercise.
Sources
- City of Austin Development Services: Building and Technical Codes
- City of Austin Development Services: Stand-Alone Trade Permits
- City of Austin Development Services: Work Exempt from Building Permits
- City of Austin Development Services: Contractor Registration
- City of Austin Development Services: Emergency Permits
- Austin Water: Backflow Prevention Overview
- Austin Water: Cross Connection Control and Water Protection
- Austin Water: Grease Trap Maintenance
- Austin Water: Pretreatment Frequently Asked Questions
- City of Austin: Winter Weather preparedness
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
- University of Nevada, Reno Environmental Health and Safety: Emergency eyewash station weekly activation
City of Austin, Austin Water, TSBPE and University of Nevada, Reno pages checked November 13, 2026. Recheck the Austin Water reporting system change before publishing.