Santa Clarita, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

The City Plumbing Code became effective for permit applications on or after January 1, 2026, and adopted Appendix B, Appendix G, and Appendix I of the state code under Section 20.01.010. Section 20.02.030 separately requires approvals from every agency with jurisdiction, including City Engineering Services, the L.A. County Sanitation District, the L.A. County Sewer Maintenance District, and Caltrans, before installing, removing, altering, or repairing any sewer located in a public right-of-way. Plan review fees are charged when plans are submitted for review under Section 20.02.050, separate from and in addition to the permit fee itself under Section 20.02.060, both set by City Council resolution.

If work starts before a permit is obtained, Section 20.02.070 requires an investigation fee equal to twice the normal permit fee, whether or not a permit is later issued. A canceled permit under which no work has been done can be refunded up to 80 percent, excluding issuance and plan-review fees, if the applicant applies in writing within 90 days of the permit's expiration, inactivation, or cancellation, under Section 20.02.080. Appeals of any Building Official determination under the Plumbing Code go through Chapter 18.02, Section 18.02.190 of the City Building Code, per Section 20.02.090.

Two additions worth noting for renovation work: Section 20.03.010 allows reinstalling used industrial apparatus and processing equipment if it still meets code, and Sections 20.04.010 and 20.04.020 prohibit dry-well discharge from water softeners and salt-based or potassium-chloride self-regenerating softeners citywide, subject to narrow exceptions.