Sonoma County, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2022 California Plumbing Code (CPC)
- Citation
- County Code § 7-13(A)(6)
- Enforcing agency
- Permit and Resource Management Department
- Permit-exempt work
- Leak stopping, minor repairs, low-flow swaps
- Violation fee
- Review fee equal to permit fee
Summary
Unincorporated Sonoma County adopts the 2022 California Plumbing Code by reference under County Code Section 7-13, requiring a permit for plumbing installations and most repairs, reviewed and inspected by the Permit and Resource Management Department.
The following listed codes are hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference, save and except such portions as are added, amended, deleted, modified or revised in subsequent sections. Included in the adoption are the matrix adoption table that precedes each chapter, appendix or annex within each part. The code sections and appendixes listed in the respective matric adoption table as being adopted by either BSC, HCD 1 or HCD2 are hereby adopted.(1)California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 1, 2022 California Administrative Code.(2)CCR, Title 24, Part 2, 2022 California Building Code (CBC).(3)CCR, Title 24, Part 2.5, 2022 California Residential Code (CRC).(4)CCR, Title 24, Part 3, 2022 California Electrical Code (CEC).(5)CCR, Title 24, Part 4, 2022 California Mechanical Code (CMC).(6)CCR, Title 24, Part 5, 2022 California Plumbing Code (CPC).(7)CCR, Title 24, Part 6, 2022 California Energy Code.(8)CCR, Title 24, Part 8, 2022 California Historical Building Code.(9)CCR, Title 24, Part 10, 2022 California Existing Building Code (CEBC).(10)CCR, Title 24, Part 11, 2022 California Green Building Standards Code.(11)CCR, Title 24, Part 12, 2022 California Referenced Standards Code.(B)Administrative Provisions.(1)Appeals. CCR Title 24, Part 2, CBC, Volume 1, Chapter 1, Division I, Section 1.8.8.3.1;
CCR Title 24, Part 2.5, CRC, Chapter 1, Division I, Section 1.8.8.3.1;
CCR, Title 24, Part 3, CEC, Section 89.108.8.3.1;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
The county adopts CCR Title 24, Part 5, the 2022 California Plumbing Code, as its local plumbing code under Sonoma County Code Section 7-13(A)(6), administered by the chief building official. A permit is required for plumbing work except the narrow exemptions listed in Section 7-13(C)(2)(e): stopping leaks without replacing concealed pipe, clearing stoppages or repairing leaks without rearranging fixtures, and swapping in low-flow fixtures under Civil Code Section 1101.1. Anything beyond those, including new pipe runs or fixture rearrangement, needs a permit and inspection before the work is covered up.
Violations & Fines
Working without a required permit draws a review fee equal to the permit fee under Section 7-13(A)(4)(6), plus code penalties, and the chief building official can order the work disconnected until it is permitted and inspected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to repipe a bathroom or replace a water heater in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Which plumbing code does Sonoma County use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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