1. Plumbing and plumbing code. The board shall adopt minimum rules relating to plumbing, including a plumbing code. All rules, including installation and inspection rules, must be consistent with this chapter and Title 30?A, chapter 185, subchapter III, except that the authority of municipalities to adopt more restrictive ordinances under Title 30?A, section 3001 is not preempted. Notwithstanding the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, the adoption of a national or international published plumbing code as a new plumbing code for the State constitutes a major substantive rule and must receive affirmative action by the Legislature before adoption. Subsequent technical amendments to any national or international published plumbing code that may be adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II?A.

2. Plumbing code violations. Any person who violates the rules adopted pursuant to this section is subject to sanctions pursuant to Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5?A and any person who violates a municipal ordinance adopted pursuant to Title 30?A, sections 4201 and 4211 must be penalized in accordance with Title 30?A, section 4452. Enforcement of the rules is the joint responsibility of the municipalities and the board. The board or a municipality may seek to enjoin violations of the rules or municipal ordinances. In the prosecution of a violation by a municipality, the court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees to a municipality if that municipality is the prevailing party, unless the court finds that special circumstances make the award of fees unjust.