[frazwood]

I am trying to convert an existing room into a bathroom. In doing so, I have removed most of the existing waste/vent plumbing (it was cast-iron) and replaced it with PVC. I have pulled a permit on the project.

I've read in a plumbing manual that toilets within 6 feet of the main waste/vent stack do not need a separate vent. My new toilet is within 6 feet (it's about 4.5 feet away), but due to various things being in the way... it'll require more than 6 feet of PVC to reach the main stack. Because I wasn't sure whether I needed a separate vent, I called a city inspector and eventually he said "yes" (this is not my problem... this is a straight-forward task)

Now for my dilemma... the inspector also told me that I needed a separate vent for my pre-existing toilet (it did not have one). This toilet is located about 18 inches from the main stack, so it'll be very difficult for me to put in a separate vent line for it (that is, if I were to install a separate vent line, the obvious location for a vent line is currently occupied by the main stack).

The inspector did not initially seem confident of his advice (he actually put me on hold to "check something")...

Should I challenge the inspector or simply get creative with my plumbing?

[ballengerb1]

Wait for the inspector to give you his final decision, that's what he'll be using when he inspects your job. Never get creative when you've pulled a permit, especially since you drew attention to your work by calling the inspector.

[frazwood]

Wait for the inspector to give you his final decision, thats what he'll be using when he inspects your job. Never get creative when you've pulled a permit, especially since you drew attention to your work by calling the inspector.

A few points of clarification:
1. I did not speak to my actual inspector. This was a different inspector (they all host office hours to help out with questions like this). Also, it was by phone, so it was essentially anonymous.
2. I am not trying to avoid codes/rules... but I would like a clarification of the codes/rules. My specific concern is that the inspector didn't seem confident of what he was saying.
3. When I said that I would "get creative"... that meant that I would install the vent line as I was instructed... the creative part would be how I would squeeze it into the wall next to the main stack.

I'll probably go talk to another inspector today in person... I think drawing a diagram of the layout might help him/her to give me a better answer than is possible by phone. Even so, any advice that I could receive here would be helpful for that discussion.

Thanks in advance!

[frazwood]

Update:

I just spoke to a different city inspector and he revealed that I did not need a separate vent on the toilet.

Thanks!