Morgan Hill Municipal Code Ch. 15.20 Plumbing Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2368 N.S, § 4, adopted Nov. 19, 2025, amended Ch. 15.20 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 15.20, §§ 15.20.010—15.20.070, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 2307 N.S., adopted November 6, 2019; Ord. No. 2337 N.S., adopted November 2, 2022.

This chapter shall be known as the "plumbing code" and may be cited as such.

(Ord. No. 2368 N.S., § 4, 11-19-2025)

There is hereby adopted by reference that certain code known and designated as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, further described and referred to as the 2025 California Plumbing Code published by the California Building Standards Commission and based on the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2024 Edition, prepared by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. The adoption of said code shall include those sections requiring enforcement by the local building department as mandated by the State and as further amended by the City of Morgan Hill with provisions intended to address local climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions, as permitted by state law. Such code shall be and become the Morgan Hill Plumbing Code, regulating plumbing and drainage systems, house sewers, private sewage disposal, drainage systems, and prescribing conditions under which such work may be carried on within the city and providing for the issuance of permits and the collection of fees therefor.

At least one copy of the city plumbing code has been deposited in the office of the city building official and is available for public inspection.

(Ord. No. 2368 N.S., § 4, 11-19-2025)

The scope, organization, enforcement, fees, and inspections of the California Plumbing Code must comply with those set forth in the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Plumbing Code.

(Ord. No. 2368 N.S., § 4, 11-19-2025)

The following provisions of the 2025 California Plumbing Code shall be amended or deleted:

A. The following sections of the California Plumbing Code are amended by this chapter: 604.3 and 609.3.

(Ord. No. 2368 N.S., § 4, 11-19-2025)

A. Section 604.3 of the 2025 California Plumbing Code is hereby amended to read in its entirety:

604.3 Copper or Copper Alloy Tube. Copper or copper alloy tube for potable water piping shall have a weight of not less than type "L."

Exceptions: None

B. Finding. Due to water hardness in the city, type "L" copper shall be required.

(Ord. No. 2368 N.S., § 4, 11-19-2025)

A. Section 609.3 of the 2025 California Plumbing Code is hereby amended to read in its entirety:

609.3 Under Concrete Slab. Water piping shall not be installed directly in or under a concrete floor slab within a building without prior approval of the Building Official.

B. Findings.

1. Most of the surface soils in Morgan Hill are relatively young and unconsolidated sedimentary materials formed from a wide variety of parent materials. The varying chemical composition, degree of weathering, and the relatively acid environment have created soils of varying types, which are peculiarly corrosive in nature.

2. Much of the surface soil in Morgan Hill is characterized by peculiarly high expansivity (i.e., shrink-swell behavior) and low bearing strength. There are two types of expansive soils in the area:

a. The organic silty clays which are the recent bay muds; and

b. The plastic silty clays which weather from the shale found in the hills surrounding Santa Clara Valley.

3. The local climate is characterized by markedly delineated rainy and dry seasons, which tend to maximize the volume changes occurring within the soil.

4. Areas of the city have hard water, which may be corrosive to ferrous pipe.

5. The groundwater table is unusually high in many places.

6. Morgan Hill is a seismically active region.

(Ord. No. 2368 N.S., § 4, 11-19-2025)

A. A violation of the code adopted by this chapter occurs when a person:

1. Fails to comply with this code;

2. Violates or fails to comply with any order made under this code;

3. Builds in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder or any certificate or permit issued thereunder and from which no appeal has been taken; or

4. Fails to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the city council or by a court of competent jurisdiction, within the time fixed in this chapter.

B. Such person shall be liable severally and for each and every such violation and noncompliance respectively.

C. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time.

D. The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.

(Ord. No. 2368 N.S., § 4, 11-19-2025)