Montebello, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2019 California Plumbing Code
- Permit authority
- Building official, City of Montebello
- Owner-builder permit
- Allowed only if owner does all labor
- Contractor requirement
- State-licensed plumber unless owner-builder
- Slab piping ban
- No water piping in or under concrete slab
- Appeals body
- Montebello City Council, 30-day hearing
Summary
In the City of Montebello, any plumbing, gas piping or drainage work regulated by the 2019 California Plumbing Code requires a permit from the building official before work begins. Montebello Municipal Code § 15.20.030 sets the application, licensing and owner-builder rules that govern issuance, and § 15.20.020 sets the fee.
A.1.Any person legally entitled to apply for and receive a permit shall make such application on forms provided for that purpose. He shall give a description of the character of the work proposed to be done, and the location, ownership, occupancy and use of the premises in connection therewith.2.The building official may require plans, specifications or drawings and such other information as he may deem necessary.3.If the building official determines that the plans, specifications, drawings, description or information furnished by the applicant is in compliance with this code, he shall issue the permit applied for upon payment of the required fee as specified in Section 15.20.020;B.No permit shall be issued to any person to do or cause to be done any plumbing or drainage work regulated by this code, except to a person licensed to do such work by the state, or as otherwise specified in this section; ... D.Any permit required by this code may be issued to any person to do any plumbing or drainage work regulated by this code in a building if the person is the bona fide owner thereof; and provided, that the owner shall personally perform all labor in connection therewith.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 15.20 adopts the 2019 California Plumbing Code, based on the 2018 International Plumbing Code, as the city's plumbing regulations, with one copy kept on file with the city clerk for public inspection under § 15.20.010. Before starting any covered work, an applicant must file a permit application on city forms describing the work, its location, ownership, occupancy and use, and the building official may demand plans, specifications or drawings under § 15.20.030(A). Once the official finds the submission compliant, the permit issues on payment of the fee set by city council resolution under § 15.20.020.
Section 15.20.030(B) bars issuing a permit for any plumbing or drainage work to anyone other than a state-licensed contractor, except as the section otherwise allows, and subsection (D) lets a bona fide owner-builder pull a permit only if the owner personally performs all of the labor. Water piping is separately barred from running inside or under a concrete slab under § 15.20.060, with narrow exceptions for island-sink runs sleeved in three-inch ABS/PVC pipe and non-pressurized lines to floor drains. The building division designates and authorizes enforcement, with the code enforcement division authorized to enforce subject to the building division's approval, per § 15.20.012.
Disputed determinations by the building official go to the city council acting as the board of appeals under § 15.20.050, which must hear the matter within thirty days of the appellant's written request.
Violations & Fines
Performing plumbing, gas or drainage work without the required permit, or having unlicensed work performed under someone else's permit, violates Chapter 15.20 and is enforced by the building division and code enforcement division. The chapter ties permit issuance directly to the fee set under § 15.20.020, so unpermitted work can also block final building sign-off and occupancy approval until the applicant complies and pays the required fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace plumbing fixtures in Montebello?
Can I do my own plumbing work as a homeowner?
Can I run water pipe under a concrete slab in Montebello?
Who decides an appeal over a denied plumbing permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montebello
California rules heatmap·Compare Montebello 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.
Plumbing Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle plumbing permits.