Palmdale, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

PMC Sec. 600 adopts Chapters 2 to 13, Chapters 15, 16 and 17, and Appendix Chapters A, B, D, G, H and I of the 2025 California Plumbing Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the state Building Standards Commission, as the Palmdale Plumbing Code (PPC); Sec. 610 requires the City Clerk to keep a copy on file for public review. Permitting runs through the shared administrative provisions adopted at Sec. 200: Sec. 1 requires a permit from the Building Official or City Engineer before anyone installs, alters, connects, converts, or repairs a plumbing system or device, subject only to a short repair-work exemption list, such as stopping a leak in a drain, waste or vent pipe without replacing parts, clearing stoppages that don't rearrange valves or pipes, or setting up a disconnected plumbing display for exhibition.

Any plumbing work that does require replacing defective trap, drain, soil, waste or vent pipe material counts as new work needing a permit and inspection under the exemption's own terms. Plans, specifications, manufacturer installation instructions and diagrams sufficient to show the character, kind and extent of the plumbing work must accompany the permit application under Sec. 3. A combined swimming pool permit covering plumbing, building, electrical, heating and excavation work is available at twice the building permit fee under Sec. 43 times the building permit fee. Permits expire if work hasn't passed its first inspection within one year, per Sec. 4.