Chapter 16.08 — CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF

REGULATIONS, TITLE 24, PART 5*

Sections:

• Editor’s Note: Prior ordinance history: Prior code §§ 34.201, 34.202, 34.203, and portions of Ordinance Nos. 2436, 3215, 3668, 3881, 3912, 4091, 4303, 4560, 4770, 4978, 5102, 5219, 5392, 5480, and 5567.

The California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, Title 24, Part 5 of the California Code of Regulations together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto, is adopted and hereby incorporated in this chapter by reference and made a part hereof the same as if fully set forth herein.

Unless superseded and expressly repealed, references in City of Palo Alto forms, documents and regulations to the chapters and sections of the former editions of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, shall be construed to apply to the corresponding provisions contained within the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, 2025. Ordinance No. 5567 of the City of Palo Alto and all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby suspended and expressly repealed.

Wherever the phrases "California Plumbing Code" or "Plumbing Code" are used in this code or any ordinance of the City, such phrases shall be deemed and construed to refer and apply to the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, Title 24, Part 4 of the California Code of Regulations, as adopted by this chapter.

One copy of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, has been filed for use and examination of the public in the Office of the Building Official of the City of Palo Alto.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

The provisions of this chapter contain cross-references to the provisions of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, in order to facilitate reference and comparison to those provisions.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

The provisions of this chapter shall constitute local amendments to the cross-referenced provisions of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, and shall be deemed to replace the cross-referenced sections of said Code with the respective provisions set forth in this chapter. Where used in this Chapter 16.08, ellipses shall indicate text of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, that has been adopted without amendment but is omitted for brevity.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Administration and enforcement of this code shall be governed by Chapter 1, Division II of the 2025 California Building Code as amended by Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.04.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Chapter 1, Division II Administration of the 2025 California Plumbing Code is adopted by the City of Palo Alto to supplement, to the extent it does not conflict with, Chapter 1, Division II of the 2025 California Building Code as amended.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

The following Appendix Chapters of the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, are adopted and hereby incorporated in this chapter by reference and made a part hereof the same as if fully set forth herein:

A.  Appendix A - Recommended rules for sizing the water supply system

B.  Appendix D - Sizing storm water drainage systems

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 306.3 of Chapter 3 of the California Plumbing Code is added to read:

306.3 Palo Alto sewer use. ll non-domestic waste shall comply with the City of Palo Alto Sewer Use Ordinance (Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.09). Where discrepancies exist between the requirements of this code and said ordinance, the provisions of said ordinance shall apply.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Subdivsion (4) of Section 701.2 of Chapter 7 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read:

701.2 Drainage Piping

Materials for drainage piping shall be in accordance with one of the referenced standards in Table 701.2 except that:

  [. . .]

  (4)  Copper, copper alloys, lead and lead alloys, including brass, shall not be used for building sanitary drainage lines, connectors or seals

coming in contact with sewage except for domestic waste sink traps and short lengths of associated connecting pipes where alternate materials are impracticable.

Where permitted by the building official or their designee, copper tube for drainage piping shall have a weight of not less than that of copper drainage tube type DWV.

  [. . .]

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 719.7 of Chapter 7 of the California Plumbing Code is added to read:

719.7 Cleanouts. A cleanout shall be provided at the point of connection between the building sewer and the city lateral and an approved fitting shall be used to bring the cleanout riser to grade. Where sewer cleanouts are to be connected to existing city laterals, such connections shall be accomplished by use of a City of Palo Alto Utility approved fitting.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 808.2 of Chapter 8 of the California Plumbing Code is added to read:

808.2 Single pass cooling water systems prohibited. Clean running water used exclusively as a cooling medium in an appliance, device, or apparatus is prohibited. Refer to PAMC 16.14.350 for additional CALGreen measures.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 1014.1 of Chapter 10 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read as follows (additions to the 2025 California Plumbing code are underlined, deletions are struck through):

Section 1014.2.1.1 of Chapter 10 of the California Plumbing Code is added to read:

1014.2.1.1 Grease Capacity. In addition to the sizing criteria based on flow rate specified in Section 1014.2.1, hydromechanical grease

interceptors shall meet the sizing criteria based on grease capacity outlined in the “Palo Alto Regulations for Food Facilities Related to Water Pollution Prevention and Management of Fats, Oils, and Grease.” The correctly sized grease interceptor will have both the minimum flow rate determined according to Section 1014.2.1 and the minimum grease storage capacity determined.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 1101.4 of Chapter 11 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read:

Section 1101.4.1 of Chapter 11 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read:

1101.4.1 Copper and copper alloys. Joints and connections in copper and copper alloy pipe and tube is prohibited.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 1101.4.2 of Chapter 11 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read:

1101.4.2 Conductors. Conductors installed aboveground in buildings shall comply with the applicable standards referenced in Table 701.2 for aboveground drain, waste, and vent pipe. Conductors installed aboveground level shall be of Schedule 40 copper pipe or Schedule 40 copper alloy pipe; service weight cast-iron soil pipe or hubless cast-iron soil pipe; standard weight galvanized steel pipe; stainless steel 304 or 316L [stainless steel 304 pipe and fittings shall not be installed underground and shall be kept not less than 6 inches (152 mm) aboveground], or Schedule 40 ABS or Schedule 40 PVC plastic pipe.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 1101.4.3 of Chapter 11 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read:

1101.4.3 Leaders. Leaders installed outside shall be in accordance with the applicable standards referenced in Table 701.2 for aboveground drain, waste, and vent pipe; aluminum sheet metal; or galvanized steel sheet metal.

(Ord. 5677 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 1102.1 of Chapter 11 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read: