Costa Mesa, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Section 5-1 lists the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, based on the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, among the construction codes adopted for the city, alongside the companion California Mechanical Code. The building official enforces the adopted plumbing code under Section 5-2, and the development services director or a designee issues plumbing permits under Section 5-10 once the applicant has complied with every requirement of the title. Section 5-2(d) requires that where different sections of the construction codes specify different materials or methods, the most restrictive requirement governs, and state regulations prevail over the local code where the two conflict.

A copy of the adopted Plumbing Code is kept on file in the building official's office for public inspection under Health and Safety Code Section 18942(d)(1). As with every other adopted code, plumbing permit fees cannot take effect until the city council sets them by resolution, consistent with Government Code Sections 66016 and 66020, and refunds of fees already paid follow the procedures in the adopted codes or established city policy under Section 5-12. The building official may also require a licensed contractor to correct nonconforming plumbing work discovered during a permit inspection before final approval is granted.