Which plumbing code does Fountain Hills use? 2024 IPC and IRC, since September 1, 2025

The Adopted Codes page opens with a notice that the Town Council adopted the 2024 Building Codes effective September 1, 2025, and that plans submitted on or after September 1 need to use the updated codes. Its list is: "The following codes are effective for all building permit applications received on or after September 1, 2025," and the list includes the 2024 International Plumbing Code, the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, the 2024 International Mechanical Code, the 2024 International Building Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code.

The ordinance behind it is Ordinance 25-06. It repeals and replaces Chapter 7 of the Town Code, and Section 2 says "That this ordinance become effective on September 1, 2025." Town Code 7-1-1(A)(6) lists the International Plumbing Code, 2024 Edition, with all supplements, as published by the International Code Council, adopted by reference. Three copies are on file in the Town Clerk's office.

Section 7-1-2 then lists amendments. The introduction names the 2024 International Building Code, the 2024 International Residential Code, the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, the 2024 International Fire Code and the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. The International Plumbing Code is not in that list. The 2024 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is, and 7-1-1(A)(10) adopts it alongside the IPC.

• Adopted by reference. The Town Code names the ICC book and treats it as part of the code, without printing the text.
• IRC. The 2024 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, which the ordinance adopts at 7-1-1(A)(10). Its P sections are its plumbing chapters; Ordinance 25-06 amends one of them, P2904.
• Amendment. A Town change to the model code, such as insert the Town's name or change a permit exemption.
• Application date trigger. The edition depends on when the permit application is received, not on when the work happens.
• 1997 Uniform Administrative Code (partial). The Adopted Codes page says this is adopted in part, only Section 304 and the tables 3-A through 3-H, for the purpose of determining fees.

Every building permit application received in Fountain Hills on or after September 1, 2025 that includes plumbing, gas piping or mechanical work. Plans submitted before that date are not covered by the notice's wording.

Which of the two plumbing codes a job falls under is not spelled out on the Town's page. The ordinance names the IRC "for One- and Two-Family Dwellings" and amends its plumbing section P2904 "to reference the 2024 International Fire Code and the Town amendments as the Code", so the reading that follows is that houses are reviewed under the IRC plumbing chapters, and other buildings under the 2024 IPC, which the Town did not amend.

It does not tell you what a plumbing permit costs. Town Code 7-1-3 says permit fees are in "such amount as approved by the Council by resolution or as part of the Town's annual budget," and that all permit fees must be paid in full before a building permit is issued.

A repipe of a house. The contractor applies after September 1, 2025. A one- or two-family dwelling falls under the 2024 IRC the Town adopted, and the Town's amendment to its plumbing section P2904 points to the 2024 International Fire Code and the Town amendments.

A repipe of a retail building. The same application date applies. The Town adopted the 2024 IPC and made no amendment to it.

A permit applied for in August 2025. The notice applies to applications received on or after September 1. An older application falls outside the notice's wording.

The edge case. A homeowner reads that the Town amended the residential code's permit exemptions and assumes plumbing exemptions changed too. The amended R105.2 list in 7-1-2 names accessory structures, fences, retaining walls, sidewalks, finish work, pools under 24 inches, playground equipment, awnings and small decks. No plumbing items appear in it, and the same ordinance amends only one plumbing section, P2904. The exemptions for plumbing therefore come from the model codes themselves, which this page does not reproduce.

1. 1Confirm the application date. Applications received on or after September 1, 2025 use the 2024 codes.
2. 2Work to the 2024 IRC plumbing chapters, with the P2904 amendment, for a one- or two-family dwelling. For other buildings, work to the 2024 International Plumbing Code, which the Town has not amended.
3. 3For gas lines, work to the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, which is on the same adopted list.
4. 4Call Building Safety at 480-816-5100 for the current fee amount before you submit. The ordinance leaves the figure to council action.
5. 5Pay all fees before the permit issues. Outstanding fees owed to the Town for any purpose also have to be paid before a permit or a certificate of occupancy (7-1-3(F)).

HQ Plumbing & Air does repiping and plumbing repair that follows the adopted code for the job's city.

• Myth: Fountain Hills still uses an older plumbing edition. The Town adopted the 2024 IPC and 2024 IRC, effective for applications on or after September 1, 2025.
• Myth: the IPC is the only plumbing code in play. The Town also adopted the IRC and amended its plumbing section P2904.
• Myth: a town amendment list means every code was amended. The 7-1-2 list names six model codes and the IPC is not one of them.
• Myth: the Adopted Codes page lists fees. It points to the 1997 UAC tables for determining fees and leaves amounts to council action.
• Myth: the Town has its own separate building official. Section 7-1-4 vests the building official's duties in the office of the Town manager or a person the manager appoints.

The text above comes from the Town of Fountain Hills Adopted Codes page and Ordinance 25-06 (Town Code Chapter 7), read on 2026-10-04. The ordinance's Exhibit A is long and this page covers only the adoption list, the amendment list and the fee section. The official text governs.