Glendale, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- backflow assembly required for new building or meter
- Permit issued by
- city permit services section
- Notice period to comply
- 30 calendar days
- Civil penalty
- $250 per backflow device
- Appeal body
- Glendale Water & Power Commission
- Appeal deadline
- 15 calendar days
- Testing frequency
- at least annually, certified tester
Summary
When a new building or facility in Glendale needs a backflow prevention assembly to protect the water system, the city's permit services section must issue a plumbing permit to comply with the city plumbing code. Water and Power reviews plans; noncompliance can mean water service termination and a $250-per-device civil penalty.
New Buildings and Facilities. The city building section and permit services section, in cooperation with the water service section of the Glendale water and power department, will review plans and other conditions to determine if a backflow assembly is required or waived as water service protection for new buildings and facilities. If the installation of a backflow prevention assembly is required in the building or as a meter protection, a plumbing permit shall be issued by the permit services section to comply with the city plumbing code. Existing commercial and industrial buildings and facilities will be reviewed for compliance with city backflow prevention ordinance when changes in occupancy occur or when required by the assistant general manager.
Full Breakdown
050(B) requires the city building section and permit services section, working with the Glendale Water and Power Department's water service section, to review plans for new buildings and facilities to decide whether a backflow prevention assembly is required or can be waived as water service protection. If a backflow assembly is required in the building or as meter protection, the permit services section must issue a plumbing permit to comply with the city plumbing code before the work proceeds. Existing commercial and industrial buildings are re-reviewed for backflow compliance whenever occupancy changes or the assistant general manager requires it.
100 until the device is installed, repaired or tested with passing results. 120 backs this with a civil penalty of $250 per assembly for noncompliance with the 30-day notice, on top of the actual costs of installation, testing, repair or replacement and city staff time. 140(E) within 15 calendar days of the notice of assessed charges, and the commission's decision on appeal is final. 070(C).
Violations & Fines
Missing the 30-day corrective notice under Section 13.32.090 triggers a $250 civil penalty per backflow assembly under Section 13.32.120, plus the department's actual costs of installing, testing, repairing or replacing the device and any related city personnel time. Continued noncompliance results in water service termination under Section 13.32.100 until the device passes inspection and all fees are paid. Appeals of the civil penalty go to the Glendale Water and Power Commission within 15 calendar days.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Glendale require a plumbing permit for a backflow device?
What happens if I miss the deadline to install my backflow device?
Can I appeal a backflow prevention penalty in Glendale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
California rules heatmap·Compare Glendale to another location·View the California building safety overview
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