Sacramento County, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2025 CA Plumbing Code, Title 24 Pt.5
- Enforcing agency
- Building Permits and Inspection Division
- Septic systems
- Environmental Compliance Division jurisdiction
- Fees
- Set in Chapter 16.90
Summary
Sacramento County requires all plumbing work in the unincorporated area to comply with the 2025 California Plumbing Code, adopted by county ordinance, before the Building Permits and Inspection Division will issue a permit.
The 2025 California Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5 of the California Code of Regulations, a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the California State Health and Safety Code Sections 17922 and 18901 et seq. (hereinafter referred to as the "Plumbing Code"), and Plumbing Code Appendices A, B, D, H, I, and J (hereinafter referred to as the "Appendix") and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby adopted as amended and incorporated by reference herein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
The Sacramento County Plumbing Code (Chapter 16.24) adopts the 2025 California Plumbing Code, Title 24 Part 5, plus Appendices A, B, D, H, I and J, as the enforceable plumbing standard for the unincorporated county. The Building Permits and Inspection Division administers permits and inspections; private sewage disposal systems instead fall under the Environmental Compliance Division. Fees are set separately in Chapter 16.90, since the code's own Section 104.5 fee provision is not adopted locally.
Violations & Fines
Starting plumbing work before a permit is issued triggers a violation fee equal to the permit fee, under the county's adopted Building Code administrative provisions applied to all technical codes including plumbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in unincorporated Sacramento County?
Who regulates septic systems in Sacramento County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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