Contra Costa County, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code, Title 24 Part 5
- Governing section
- Ordinance Code § 78-2.002
- Permit rule
- Required before work, per § 72-6.202
- Licensing
- C-36 plumbing contractor or owner-builder exception
- Unpermitted work penalty
- Double permit fee once issued
Summary
Contra Costa County has adopted the 2025 California Plumbing Code, with local amendments, as its controlling plumbing code countywide. Plumbing work otherwise regulated by the county's building title needs a permit from the county building official before work begins, issued only to a licensed contractor or a qualifying owner-builder.
(a)The plumbing code of this county is the 2025 California Plumbing Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5), as amended by the changes, additions, and deletions set forth in Division 72.(b)The 2025 California Plumbing Code, with the changes, additions, and deletions set forth in Division 72, is adopted by this reference as though fully set forth in this division. ... (d)As of the effective date of the ordinance from which this division is derived, the provisions of the plumbing code are controlling and enforceable within the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Ordinance Code: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
6 requires. 202 applies: no person may install, alter, repair or connect plumbing equipment regulated by the title without first obtaining a permit from the county building official. 206(d) limits who can hold that permit: a licensed California plumbing contractor, or a general contractor performing two or more trades on the same permitted job, may be issued a plumbing permit, and an owner who occupies and personally performs all the work on a one-family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes, including its accessory buildings, may also be issued the permit directly.
204(b), unless the building official finds the work was genuinely urgent emergency work. 212(c) requires a new permit and a new fee once a permit is void.
Violations & Fines
Plumbing work performed without the required permit doubles the eventual permit fee under § 72-6.204(b) and exposes the work to a stop-work order (§ 72-6.404) or the abatement procedure (§ 72-6.402). A plumbing permit issued to someone other than a licensed plumbing contractor, an eligible dual-trade general contractor, or a qualifying owner-builder is issued in violation of § 72-6.206(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
What plumbing code does Contra Costa County use?
Do I need a permit for plumbing work on my house?
Can I do my own plumbing work without hiring a licensed plumber?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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