Chico, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- install, alter, repair, replace plumbing
- Adopted code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code
- Issuing office
- Chico Building Division
- Minor-repair exemption
- leak stops, stoppage clearing only
- Violation penalty
- infraction, fine up to $1,000
Summary
Chico requires a plumbing permit before installing, removing, altering, repairing, or replacing plumbing equipment in any building, structure, or premises, with narrow exemptions for minor leak repairs and clog-clearing that don't involve replacing pipes or fixtures.
C. Plumbing Permits. A plumbing permit shall be required for the installation, removal, alteration, repair, or replacement of any plumbing equipment on or within any building, structure, or premises in the city; except that a plumbing permit shall not be required for the following: 1. Plumbing equipment exempted from the plumbing standards adopted by Chapter 16.06 of this title...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Chico Municipal Code § 16.10.030.C requires a plumbing permit before installing, removing, altering, repairing, or replacing any plumbing equipment on or within a building, structure, or premises in the city. The Building Division issues these permits under standards adopted by Chapter 16R.08, which incorporates the 2025 California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5 of the California Code of Regulations) by reference, with local amendments deleting the state fee sections. Narrow exemptions apply to minor repairs that stop leaks in drains, soil, waste, or vent pipes and to clearing stoppages, but only where the work does not require removing or replacing a trap, drain pipe, waste or vent pipe, valve, or fixture.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted plumbing work violates the permit requirement of § 16.10.030.C; under City Charter § 1505 a code violation is an infraction punishable by a fine up to $1,000 unless the ordinance specifies otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to fix a leaky pipe in Chico?
What plumbing code does Chico enforce?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California building safety overview
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