Union City, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2025 CA Plumbing Code
- Effective date
- Jan. 1, 2026
- Slab piping rule
- needs prior approval
- Underground pipe rule
- plastic sleeve required
Summary
Union City adopts the 2025 California Plumbing Code by reference, requiring a permit for plumbing system installation, alteration, or repair citywide.
The California Plumbing Code 2025 Edition, (Based on 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code), and Appendices A, B, and G, thereto, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and all revisions and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, are hereby adopted by reference as the Plumbing Code of the City of Union City, regulating the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems within the City of Union City.
B. One copy of said Code and appendices thereto has been filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Union City at 34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, California, and the same or identical copy thereof, not less than one in number, shall at all times be kept on file for similar use.
C. The rules, regulations, provisions, requirements, orders, and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force on January 1, 2026. (Ord. 2025-006, 11/25/2025)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Union City Municipal Code § 15.48.010 adopts the 2025 California Plumbing Code (based on the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code) and its Appendices A, B, and G by reference as the city's Plumbing Code, covering erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to, use, and maintenance of plumbing systems citywide, effective January 1, 2026 under Ordinance 2025-006. Local amendments add two rules: water piping run in or under a concrete slab needs prior approval from the Administrative Authority (§ 15.48.080), and any underground metallic water piping must be protected with a plastic sleeve (§ 15.48.110). Permit fees follow the City Council's resolution schedule (§ 15.48.070).
Violations & Fines
Plumbing work without a permit is an infraction, fined $150 first offense, $300 second, $600 third, and the City treats the violation as a public nuisance subject to abatement (§§ 15.48.040-.050).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run water piping under a concrete slab in Union City?
Does underground water piping need special protection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California building safety overview
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