Mohave County commission keeps residential water-heater permit, adds 72-hour emergency grace and waives late-penalty fee

Mohave County's Planning and Zoning Commission voted to keep residential hot water heater permits and inspections mandatory but approved two changes intended to ease emergency replacement burdens: commissioners removed the countydouble/late-penalty fee for after-the-fact permits and approved a 72-hour grace period for emergency replacements.

Chief Building Official Gilbert told the commission that hot water heaters are "an integral part of the residential dwelling plumbing system" and described recurring installation issues found in county inspections, including incorrect temperature/pressure relief piping, improper venting, inadequate electrical protection and dissimilar metals that lead to corrosion. Gilbert said the county saw a measurable correction rate even when licensed contractors performed installations and that the inspections provide a permanent record of the work.

At a June 24 meeting the Building Code Advisory Board, made up of contractors and building professionals, recommended the county keep the permit and inspections mandatory but…