Local guide / Kennewick, WA
Hiring a Plumber in Kennewick: What Washington Law Expects
Washington has stricter plumbing rules than a lot of states. A few minutes of checking before anyone starts work can save you a real headache later.
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Photo: Columbia River, Kennewick, Washington by Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Who is allowed to do plumbing in Washington
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) puts it plainly: only L&I certified plumbers can legally do plumbing work on someone else's property.
There is one big exception. Property owners can do their own plumbing on property they own. So you can replace your own kitchen faucet. Your neighbor's handyman, paid in cash, generally cannot.
Since July 1, 2021, a business also needs a Plumbing Contractor license from L&I to advertise, bid on or perform plumbing work. A general contractor who is not licensed for plumbing has to subcontract that part of the job to a licensed plumbing contractor.
How to check a plumber before they start
L&I runs a Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business tool on its website. Look up the company and the person who will actually do the work. It shows:
- Whether the business has an active registration or license
- Whether the plumber holding the tools is certified
- An active, paid up workers' comp account for any employees
- Safety violations, construction citations and lawsuits against the bond
To hold a plumbing contractor license, L&I requires a $6,000 surety bond (or assigned savings account) and liability insurance of $250,000 per occurrence. If the tool shows the license lapsed or the bond is gone, ask why before you go further.
L&I also warns that it will never call you to ask for licensing or registration fees over the phone.
Need plumbing work done right in Kennewick? Call to reach a local plumber.
Call (509) 286-1592What the City of Kennewick asks for on a plumbing permit
Kennewick handles residential plumbing permits through its Building Safety Division. Permits are applied for online through the City's Customer Self Service portal.
According to the City's residential mechanical and plumbing checklist, the application asks for:
- The number of plumbing units being replaced or installed.
- Names and contact details for the applicant, owner and contractor.
- A valuation of the work. If the owner is doing the work, the City says to double the cost of materials.
If you are hiring a contractor, the City also asks for the contractor's City of Kennewick business license number and their Washington L&I contractor license number, with expiration dates. A plumber who cannot give you those numbers is a plumber who probably is not pulling a permit.
Not sure whether your job needs one? Building Safety is at 210 W 6th Avenue, 509-585-4561, and the City lists 509-585-4266 for help with online applications.
Bids, contracts and payment
L&I's Hire Smart guide is worth reading before any larger job like a repipe, a sewer line or a water heater swap. A few points from it stand out.
- Get bids in writing and compare the scope, warranty and completion date, not just the price.
- The contract should list the price including sales tax, payment terms, permit fees if any, the specific work, and the materials.
- Pay in stages. Make a reasonable down payment and avoid paying in full until the work is done.
- Watch for liens. L&I notes a lien may be filed within 90 days of work stopping, so ask for lien releases from major suppliers and subcontractors before the final payment.
The red flags L&I lists are the ones you would expect: a special price only if you sign today, cash only or full payment up front, no written bid, or a contractor who wants you to pull the permit yourself.
When it is the City's problem, not yours
Some problems belong to Kennewick Public Works before they belong to a plumber. The City's water and sewer FAQ lists 509-585-4419 for a sewer backup, low or high water pressure, a broken or leaking meter box, and water that tastes, smells or looks wrong. Calling them first can tell you whether the trouble is on the City side.
If the problem is inside your home or on your side of the meter, it is a private plumbing job. Have the license number ready to check, ask whether the work needs a permit, and get the price in writing before work starts. Call to reach a local plumber who works in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Checked 2026-10-31. Rules and phone numbers change, so confirm with the source before you rely on them.
Services
Plumbing Help in Kennewick
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, flooding, sewer backups and no water. Call any hour.
Get help →Plan aheadHydro Jetting
High-pressure water cleaning for grease, scale and roots in drains and sewer lines.
Get help →UrgentDrain Cleaning
Clogged sinks, tubs, showers and main drains cleared fast.
Get help →UrgentSewer Line Repair & Camera Inspection
Camera inspections, root problems, broken lines and sewer backups.
Get help →UrgentWater Heater Repair & Replacement
No hot water, leaking tanks, tankless issues and new installs.
Get help →EmergencyLeak Detection & Burst Pipe Repair
Hidden leaks, high water bills, wet walls and burst pipes.
Get help →EmergencyFrozen Pipe Repair
Thawing frozen lines and fixing pipes split by winter freezes.
Get help →Plan aheadToilet & Faucet Repair
Running or clogged toilets, leaky faucets and fixture installs.
Get help →More guides
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Read the guide →Sprinkler Backflow Testing
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Read the guide →Frozen Pipes: Winter Prep
Kennewick summers get the attention, but the winter nights are cold enough to split a pipe. An hour of prep in the fall is a lot cheaper than a burst line in January.
Read the guide →Call any time
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