Monterey County, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code, Title 24 Part 5
- Base standard
- 2014 Uniform Plumbing Code plus state amendments
- Valuation includes
- Materials and labor for plumbing equipment/systems
- Extra water-conservation rules
- Chapters 15.12, 18.44, and 18.50
- Sewage disposal cross-reference
- Chapter 15.20 of the County Code
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Monterey County only
Summary
Monterey County has adopted the 2025 California Plumbing Code, based on the 2014 Uniform Plumbing Code, as its Plumbing Code for unincorporated areas, with the chapter's own local amendments controlling over conflicting state provisions. Permit valuation for plumbing work rolls into the same building-permit fee and inspection system as other trades.
That certain document entitled 2025 California Plumbing Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, including chapter 16A and also including Appendices A, B, D, H, I, and J as published by the California Building Standards Commission, which is based on the 2014 Uniform Plumbing Code with applicable amendments from the State of California, and the local amendments of this Chapter, are hereby adopted as the Plumbing Code for the County of Monterey. ... Permit valuation shall include the total value of work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
Section 18.05.010 adopts "2025 California Plumbing Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, including chapter 16A and also including Appendices A, B, D, H, I, and J ... which is based on the 2014 Uniform Plumbing Code with applicable amendments from the State of California, and the local amendments of this Chapter" as the Plumbing Code for the County. Section 18.05.020 provides that the chapter's local amendments apply "notwithstanding any provisions of the 2025 California Plumbing Code to the contrary." Water-conservation plumbing fixtures must additionally meet Chapters 15.12, 18.44, and 18.50 of the county code (§ 18.05.030), and sewage disposal work must also comply with Chapter 15.20 (§ 18.05.040).
Like electrical and mechanical work, plumbing permits are issued and inspected under the shared Chapter 18.01 administrative rules: the applicant provides an estimated permit valuation covering "the total value of work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems" (§ 18.01.070(C)), and the Building Official can recalculate an underestimated valuation using ICC Building Valuation Data. Plumbing permits are subject to the same one-year expiration/inspection deadline and written-extension process as other Chapter 18.01 permits under § 18.01.050(D). The chapter applies only within unincorporated Monterey County.
Violations & Fines
Plumbing construction work performed without first obtaining a permit from the Building Official violates § 18.01.090(B). Under § 18.01.070(D), starting plumbing work before the permit issues also exposes the owner or contractor to additional fees set by Board of Supervisors resolution, on top of the standard permit fee, and uninspected plumbing systems can hold up final inspection approval under § 18.01.090(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
What plumbing code applies in unincorporated Monterey County?
Are there extra rules for water-conserving plumbing fixtures?
How is my plumbing permit fee calculated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monterey County
California rules heatmap·Compare Monterey County 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.