A new state law went into effect on September 1 making it a criminal offense to install an irrigation system without a plumbing license and irrigation certification.

edit: An exception exists for homeowners, but the effect of the law was to make the violation a criminal offense, where it previously had not been subject to criminal enforcement. Sorry for the confusion.

[This message has been edited by Ryan the Temp (edited 11/17/2011 4:28p).]

Personally I think that is rather stupid. I helped my dad install ours at their old house and I've basicly replaced almost every component of my existing system since we bought this house. It is not very difficult. Planning for the circuits was the most complicated part, but even that's not too bad.
Guess the plumbers got the right lobbyist. I will mention this to my st rep and senator.

I haven't been able to find anything about this law. Is it TCEQ? Do you happen to have a link?

Just curious.

HB2507

Sec. 1903.256. INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM WITHOUT LICENSE; OFFENSE. (a) Unless exempt under Section 1903.002, a person commits an offense if the person installs an irrigation system without holding a license issued by the commission under Chapter 37, Water Code.

I did some more digging, and stand corrected to a degree.

The exeption is a homeowner installing a sprinkler at their own home.

Yeah, RTT, I was just about to say that. DIY homeowners were already exempted in 1903.002. Contractors installing systems were already required to be licensed. I think 1903.256 just added a misdemeanor penalty.

I homeowner may install one but has to have a plan signed by a lic irrigator and approved by the city to obtain the permit. Without the permit he is in violation.

How will the city figure this out though? Are they really checking things like this?

Where does it say that you have to have your plan signed by a licensed irrigator? Just curious.

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How will the city figure this out though? Are they really checking things like this?

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Nosey neighbors.

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Where does it say that you have to have your plan signed by a licensed irrigator? Just curious.

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It doesn't. That would be a requirement that your city might have, although I'm not sure many really do. Some would require that you get someone licensed to make the final connection to the city water supply to ensure that all of their requirements (backflow, etc.) are met. But again, that would vary by city.

Do timers, water hoses and sprinkler heads from Home Depot count as a DIY home sprinkler system that I could potentialy get in trouble for?

details of my setup:
http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=1627115&forum_id=61

It is 100% about doublecheck backflow preventers. They are expensive and the average DIYer will skimp on this $100+ part.

This law was pushed by licensed irrigators in the state and is not targeted at homeowners. It is aimed at unlicensed persons that severely undercut installation prices, which in turn leads to cutting corners and leaving the homeowner with an inefficient system. I have complete respect for the DIYer that has the means and ability to install a system. It's the lawnguys and landscapers that think they can put in a system at 50% of what it should cost and get away with it that drive me crazy. I encourage anyone with suspicions to notify the city you live in or TCEQ directly. I could go on because there are a lot of other factors that go into this but I'll spare you because I'm posting from my phone.

100% agree with this then.

Hopefully this gets rid of allot of the fly by night contractors.

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This law was pushed by licensed irrigators in the state and is not targeted at homeowners.

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Kinda of like how electricians unions pushed for a limitation on issuing any permits to anyone other than a licensed master electrician.

Now I have to go pay $1,000+ to have someone else do a 10 minute job installing $30 worth of parts.

These regulations are pushed by trades to limit competition and protect their revenue streams.

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Now I have to go pay $1,000+ to have someone else do a 10 minute job installing $30 worth of parts.

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Well, you don't HAVE to...

RTT- This does not regulate repair work for one. Secondly, this doesn't directly effect the permitting process. Most of the areas I install don't even require permits. I would much rather install outside of the city limits. There have been laws in place for awhile concerning irrigation installations without a license, this just puts a penalty to it. There really is no one to enforce it without a contractor being turned in. If you want more information I will write my rant/novel when I get to a computer. Simple fact is, this does not effect homeowners.

After seeing all the electrical and plumbing F-ups on the Mike Holmes shows, most of that work does need to be inspected by the city and performed by someone who knows wtf they are doing.