Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
Chapter 16.08 — CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Palo Alto
Sections in this part
REGULATIONS, TITLE 24, PART 5*
Sections:
16.08.010 2025 California Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5 adopted and amended.
16.08.160 Section 1102.1 Applications.¶
- 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.
16.08.010 2025 California Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5 adopted and amended.
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Unless superseded and expressly repealed, references in City of Palo Alto forms, documents and regulations to the chapters and sections of the former editions of the California Code of Regulations,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of Palo Alto and all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby suspended and expressly repealed.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)
16.08.020 Cross-references to California Plumbing Code.¶
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)
16.08.030 Local amendments.¶
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)
16.08.040 Administration & enforcement of 2025 California Plumbing Code.¶
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)
16.08.050 Adoption of Chapter 1, Division II Administration.¶
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)
16.08.060 Section 102.8 Appendices.¶
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)
16.08.070 Section 306.3 Palo Alto sewer use.¶
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)
16.08.080 Section 701.2, (4) Drainage piping.¶
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)
16.08.090 Section 719.7 Cleanouts.¶
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)
16.08.100 Section 808.2 Single pass cooling water systems prohibited.¶
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)
16.08.110 Section 1014.1 Grease interceptors - general.¶
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):
16.08.115 Section 1014.2.1.1 Grease capacity.¶
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)
16.08.120 Section 1101.4 Material use.¶
Section 1101.4 of Chapter 11 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read:
16.08.130 Section 1101.4.1 Copper and copper alloys.¶
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)
16.08.140 Section 1101.4.2 Conductors.¶
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)
16.08.150 Section 1101.4.3 Leaders.¶
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)
16.08.160 Section 1102.1 Applications.¶
Section 1102.1 of Chapter 11 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read:
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — Palo Alto Municipal Code
- Article VIII — A. Board of Education
- Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Title 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
- Title 5 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
- Title 6 — ANIMALS
- Title 8 — TREES AND VEGETATION
- Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY
- Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
- Title 11 — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROCEDURE
- Title 12 — PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
- Title 13 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
- Title 15 — FIRE PREVENTION
▸Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
Overview- 16.04 California Building Code, California Code of Regulations…
- 16.05 California Mechanical Code, California Code of Regulatio…
- 16.08 California Plumbing Code, California Code of Regulations…
- 16.09 Sewer Use Ordinance
- 16.10 Private Sewage Disposal Systems
- 16.11 Stormwater Pollution Prevention
- 16.12 Recycled Water
- 16.13 Requirements for Food Facilities Related to Water Pollut…
- 16.14 California Green Building Standards Code, California Cod…
- 16.15 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- 16.17 California Energy Code, California Code of Regulations, …
- 16.19 California Historical Building Code, California Code of …
- 16.20 Signs
- 16.24 Fences
- 16.28 Excavations, Grading and Fills
- 16.32 Moving and Relocating Buildings
- 16.36 House Numbering
- 16.38 Certificate of Use and Occupancy for Community Housing
- 16.40 Unsafe Buildings
- 16.42 Seismic Hazards Identification Program
- 16.44 Fallout Shelters
- 16.45 Transportation Impact Fee for New Nonresidential Develop…
- 16.46 Approval of Projects with Impacts on Traffic in the San …
- 16.47 Reserved
- 16.48 Reserved
- 16.49 Historic Preservation
- 16.50 Reserved
- 16.52 Flood Hazard Regulations
- 16.56 Handicapped Access Regulations - Appeal
- 16.57 In-Lieu Parking Fee for New Nonresidential Development i…
- 16.58 Development Impact Fees
- 16.59 Citywide Transportation Impact Fee
- 16.60 Charleston Arastradero Corridor Pedestrian and Bicyclist…
- 16.61 Public Art for Private Developments
- 16.62 Expired Permits for Residential Construction and Demolit…
- 16.63 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems
- 16.64 Development Fee and In-lieu Payment Administration
- 16.65 Citywide Affordable Housing Requirements
- 16.66 Hauled Liquid Waste
- Chapter 16.04 — CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
- Chapter 16.05 — CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
▸Chapter 16.08 — CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
- Chapter 16.09 — SEWER USE ORDINANCE
- Chapter 16.10 — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
- Chapter 16.11 — STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
- Part 2 — General Provisions
- Part 3 — Development Projects
- Part 10 — Copper Controls
- Part 3 — Development Projects
- Part 4 — Required Best Management Practices for All Dischargers
- Part 5 — Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and Mobil…
- Part 6 — Pesticides Toxicity Control
- Part 7 — Trash Load Reductions
- Part 8 — Mercury Controls
- Part 9 — Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Controls
- Part 10 — Copper Controls
- Chapter 16.12 — RECYCLED WATER
- Chapter 16.13 — REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD FACILITIES RELATED TO WA…
- Part 6 — Rooftop Grease Containment System Requirements
- Part 11 — Food Facility Closure or Ownership Change
- Part 3 — Authority to Inspect and Enforce
- Part 4 — Prohibited Discharges, Devices, and Connections
- Part 5 — Grease Control Device Requirements
- Part 6 — Rooftop Grease Containment System Requirements
- Part 7 — Waste Oil Management Requirements
- Part 8 — Spill Response Requirements
- Part 9 — Best Management Practices for Existing Facilities
- Part 10 — Mobile Food Facilities
- Part 11 — Food Facility Closure or Ownership Change
- Chapter 16.14 — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE,
- Part 1 — General
- Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL
- Chapter 7 — INSTALLER AND SPECIAL
- Part 7 — Local Modifications to
- Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL
- Part 9 — Local Modifications to
- Part 1 — General
- Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GREEN BUILDING
- Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
- Chapter 7 — INSTALLER AND SPECIAL INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
- Part 7 — Local Modifications to
- Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
- Part 9 — Local Modifications to
- Chapter 16.16 — CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
- Chapter 16.17 — CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
- Chapter 16.19 — CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNI…
- Chapter 16.20 — SIGNS
- Chapter 16.20 — Table 1
- Chapter 16.20 — Table 2
- Chapter 16.20 — Table 2
- Chapter 16.20 — Table 3
- Chapter 16.24 — FENCES
- Chapter 16.28 — GRADING AND EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
- Chapter 16.32 — MOVING AND RELOCATING BUILDINGS
- Chapter 16.36 — HOUSE NUMBERING
- Chapter 16.38 — CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY FOR COMMUNITY
- Chapter 16.40 — UNSAFE BUILDINGS
- Chapter 16.44 — FALLOUT SHELTERS
- Chapter 16.45 — TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE FOR NEW NONRESIDENTIAL
- Chapter 16.46 — APPROVAL OF PROJECTS WITH IMPACTS ON TRAFFIC I…
- Chapter 16.48 — RESERVED
- Chapter 16.49 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
- Chapter 16.50 — RESERVED
- Chapter 16.52 — FLOOD HAZARD REGULATIONS
- Chapter 16.56 — HANDICAPPED ACCESS REGULATIONS - APPEAL
- Chapter 16.57 — IN-LIEU PARKING FEE FOR NEW NONRESIDENTIAL DEV…
- Chapter 16.58 — DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
- Chapter 16.59 — CITYWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
- Chapter 16.60 — CHARLESTON ARASTRADERO CORRIDOR PEDESTRIAN
- Chapter 16.61 — PUBLIC ART FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS
- Chapter 16.62 — EXPIRED PERMITS FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND
- Chapter 16.63 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 16.64 — DEVELOPMENT FEE AND IN-LIEU PAYMENT ADMINISTRA…
- Chapter 16.66 — HAULED LIQUID WASTE
- Title 17 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE
- Title 18 — ZONING
- Title 19 — MASTER PLAN
- Article 7 — AUTHORITY FOR AND SCOPE OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLANS.
- Article 8 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLAN.
- Chapter 19.06 — SPECIFIC PLANS
- Chapter 19.10 — COORDINATED AREA PLANS
- Title 20 — PRECISE PLANS
- Title 21 — SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER DIVISIONS OF LAND
- Title 22 — PARKS