San Leandro, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. No. 2025-016, effective Dec. 1, 2025
- Permit issuer
- San Leandro Building Division
- Appeals body
- Board of Appeals under Building Code § 113
- Fee basis
- Title 7, Ch. 5, Art. 1, § 109
Summary
San Leandro adopts the 2025 California Plumbing Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 5, as the city's Plumbing Code, with San Leandro's own amendments controlling over conflicting state text. Anyone installing, repairing, or altering plumbing needs a permit from the Building Division before work begins, and the city keeps a copy of the adopted code on file for public review.
Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, the "2025 California Plumbing Code," California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, as published by the International Association of Pluming and Mechanical Officials, is hereby adopted as the "Plumbing Code" of the City of San Leandro. In the event an amendment to the 2025 California Plumbing Code results in differences between the building standards set forth in this Article and the Plumbing Code, the text of this Article shall govern. At least one true copy of the California Plumbing Code shall be kept for public inspection in the office of the San Leandro Building Division.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4967405; v8 updated 2026-07-06).
Full Breakdown
The City Council adopted the 2025 Plumbing Code by Ordinance No. 2025-016 on December 1, 2025, the same ordinance that replaced the Mechanical, Electrical, Green Building, and Residential Building Codes; it repealed the versions previously enacted under Ordinance Nos. 2019-017 and 2022-014. Section 7-5-900 makes the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, the "Plumbing Code" of the City of San Leandro, but where San Leandro's own amendments in Article 9 differ from the state text, the local amendment controls. Water heaters, gas lines, sewer laterals, water supply piping, and fixture installations or replacements all need a permit from the Building Division at 835 East 14th Street before work starts.
Fees follow Section 7-5-920, which points to the master schedule in Title 7, Chapter 5, Article 1, Section 109 rather than listing a flat dollar figure in the plumbing article. Referenced standards and appendices inside the Plumbing Code are not automatically adopted: Section 7-5-910 leaves the Building Official discretion to authorize their use project by project. Disputes over a Building Official's application of the Plumbing Code go to the Board of Appeals created under Section 113 of the Building Code, per Section 7-5-915, the same board handling Electrical, Mechanical, and Residential Code appeals.
Enforcement and abatement for plumbing violations runs through Articles 11, 12, and 13 of Chapter 7-5, giving the Building Official right-of-entry, stop-work, and public-nuisance abatement authority over unpermitted or unsafe plumbing work.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted plumbing work can be stopped mid-job: Section 7-5-1110 lets the Building Official issue a written stop order that halts the work until authorized to resume. Left uncorrected, unsafe plumbing can be declared a public nuisance under Section 7-5-1115 and abated by repair or removal, with the City recovering its costs from the property owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in San Leandro?
What plumbing code edition applies in San Leandro right now?
Who decides plumbing permit fees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Leandro
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