Palm Desert, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Chapter 15.12 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code adopts the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, Part 5 of Title 24 of the Code of California Regulations, including Chapter 1, Division II, and Appendices A, B, D, H, I, and J. It is based on the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and becomes the Palm Desert Plumbing Code. It regulates erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, maintenance or use of plumbing systems within the city, and a copy is on file in the office of the building official.

Section 15.12.020 makes three amendments. Section 104.3.2 is amended by deleting its last paragraph. Section 104.5 is amended to read that on buildings, structures, mechanical systems, or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule established by the applicable governing authority. The fourth paragraph of Section 105.2.6 is amended so that, to obtain reinspection, the applicant pays a reinspection fee set in a fee schedule established by the applicable governing authority. The dollar amounts are not printed in the chapter.

Who can pull the permit is set in Section 105.8 of the administrative provisions in Section 15.02.020. Electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits, or combination permits, for occupancies other than R-3 and associated U are issued only to a California licensed contractor holding the appropriate specialty license, or in compliance with the most current California State Licensing Board's requirements. A combination building permit can be issued for a single project that includes more than one construction trade.

Permit life follows Section 105.5: a permit becomes invalid if work is not commenced within 12 months or is without progress for 12 months, with progress meaning approval of required inspections. The building official can grant a written extension of up to 180 days, and an expired permit reactivates at 1/2 the new permit amount within one year if the plans are unchanged.