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

Chapter 18-24 governs plumbing work. Section 18-24.010 adopts the California Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5, 2025 Edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, including its IAPMO Installation Standards and Appendices A through I, as amended by the California Building Standards Commission, with local sections renumbered by adding '18-24.' before each Plumbing Code section number. A locally added Section 18-24.304.2 requires that every building with plumbing fixtures connect to a public sewer, an approved private sewage disposal system, or an approved grey water disposal system.

The City also amended several administrative sections of the Plumbing Code: plan review fees for plumbing work are set under Section 18-08.030 and additional review fees under Section 18-08.040 (Section 18-24.104.3.2); permit application and plan review expire per the timelines in Section 18-08.050 (Section 18-24.104.3.3); an issued plumbing permit expires per Section 18-08.060 (Section 18-24.104.4.3); and permit fees, including a separate investigation fee equal to the permit fee for work performed without one, follow Section 18-08.130 (Sections 18-24.104.5 and 18-24.104.5.2). A locally added exemption at Section 18-24.104.2 excuses a permit for replacing lavatory and sink faucets, shower heads, water closets, or urinals that meet the City Utilities Department's water conservation standards or Title 20 and Health and Safety Code Section 17921.3 criteria, so long as the work does not require rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures.