Modesto, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code, adopted by Section 9-2.101
- Effective date of adoption
- June 11, 2026 (Ordinance 3809-C.S.)
- Permit issuer
- Building Official, Building Safety Division
- Application expires
- 180 calendar days without a permit; one extension of up to 180
- Permit expires
- 180 days unstarted or suspended; 730 days to complete
- Misdemeanor penalty
- Up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both
- Appeal deadline
- 30 calendar days from service of the notice or action
Summary
Modesto requires a permit from the Building Official before anyone installs, alters, repairs, removes, converts or replaces a plumbing system. Work is judged against the 2025 California Plumbing Code, adopted by reference in Section 9-2.101 through Ordinance 3809-C.S., effective June 11, 2026. Permit and plan check fees come from a City Council fee resolution, and violations are misdemeanors.
That certain document, one (1) copy of which is on file in the Office of the Chief Building Official of the City of Modesto, being marked and designated as the 2025 California Plumbing Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), as now existing, or hereafter amended, regulating and governing the erection, alteration, installation, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing and drainage systems and parts thereof for the protection of public health and safety, providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees, providing penalties for the violation thereof; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said 2025 California Plumbing Code on file in the Office of the Chief Building Official of the City of Modesto is hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this ordinance, with the additions, deletions, insertions and changes, if any, prescribed in this Chapter, be and hereby is adopted as the Plumbing Code of the City of Modesto.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
Section 9-2.101 makes the 2025 California Plumbing Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, published by IAPMO) the Plumbing Code of the City of Modesto. One copy is kept on file in the Office of the Chief Building Official, and Section 9-2.1401.1 names that office as the officer who administers and enforces the chapter. Ordinance 3809-C.S. replaced the 2022 edition with the 2025 edition effective June 11, 2026. Appendices of the California Plumbing Code do not apply unless the State or the City specifically adopts them (Section 9-2.204), and when plumbing and mechanical requirements conflict, the Plumbing Code prevails (Section 9-2.216).
Section 9-2.501 requires any owner or authorized agent who intends to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace a plumbing system to apply to the Building Official and obtain the permit first. The application is written, on a Building Safety Division form, and must describe the work, identify the land, state the use and occupancy, give the valuation of the work, carry the applicant's signature, and include the construction documents required by Article 6 (Section 9-2.506). When the Building Official asks for them, plumbing plans must show sanitary drainage, equipment and fixtures, gas lines and calculations (Section 9-2.603).
An application that has not produced a permit within 180 calendar days expires, and one written extension of up to 180 days is available (Section 9-2.508). An issued permit expires if work does not start within 180 days, if work stops for 180 days, or if work is not finished within 730 calendar days (Section 9-2.510). Restarting after a lapse of one year or less, with no plan changes, costs one-half of a new permit fee.
No plumbing or drainage system, building sewer or private sewer disposal system can be covered, concealed or put into use until it is tested, inspected and accepted (Section 9-2.804). Work covered early must be uncovered once the Building Official issues a notice to uncover (Section 9-2.812). A reinspection fee applies when plans are missing on site, access is not provided on the requested date, or work deviates from the approved plans (Section 9-2.808).
Violations & Fines
Violating the Plumbing Code is a misdemeanor under Section 9-2.1118: a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both. The City Attorney can charge it as an infraction instead: up to $250 for a first conviction, up to $500 for a second within one year. Each day is a separate offense. Starting work before a permit triggers a fee set by Council resolution (Section 9-2.703). Working after a stop work order brings administrative or criminal prosecution (Section 9-2.1203).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Modesto permit to fix a leak or clear a clog?
What if a plumbing emergency happens after hours?
How long does a Modesto plumbing permit last?
How much do plumbing permit and plan check fees cost?
How do I appeal a Building Official decision on plumbing work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Modesto
California rules heatmap·Compare Modesto to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.