Alameda County, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base code
- 2025 CPC, CA Title 24 Pt. 5
- Adopted appendices
- A, B, D, H, I, K
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
- Conflicts resolved by
- Building official
Summary
Unincorporated Alameda County requires plumbing work to conform to the county-adopted 2025 California Plumbing Code.
The County of Alameda adopts 2025 California Plumbing Code (CA Title 24, Part 5) as compiled and published by the International Code Council, modified by the California Building Standards Commission, and modified by the additions, deletions, and amendments set forth in this Chapter. The 2025 California Plumbing Code (CA Title 24, Part 5) is incorporated by reference into this Chapter, which shall be known as the Plumbing Code of the County of Alameda. Only those sections that have been added, deleted, or modified are shown below; all sections not shown are adopted in their original form, unless otherwise noted.
(Ord. No. 2025-72, Exh. B, 12-16-25)
Full Breakdown
Alameda County adopts the 2025 California Plumbing Code (CA Title 24, Part 5) by reference as the Plumbing Code of the County of Alameda, applying only in unincorporated territory such as Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland and Fairview. The county also adopts specific CPC appendices without amendment, including Appendix H (Private Sewage Disposal Systems) and Appendix K (Potable Rainwater Catchment Systems), relevant to the county's rural and agricultural unincorporated areas. Where the CPC conflicts with the county's building, electrical, mechanical or fire chapters, the building official resolves it. Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward, San Leandro, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, the City of Alameda, Union City, Newark, Emeryville, Albany and Piedmont each administer their own plumbing code, not this one.
Violations & Fines
Plumbing work done without a required county permit can be red-tagged and is enforced by the Building Inspection Division under Ch. 15.08.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plumbing code applies in unincorporated Alameda County?
Does the county plumbing code apply in Union City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alameda County
California rules heatmap·Compare Alameda County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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