San Diego Municipal Code Div. 4 Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Procedures

The purpose of these procedures is to establish the process for review of Plumbing/Mechanical Permit applications for compliance with the minimum standards necessary to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) No plumbing system, or portion of a plumbing system, shall be installed within or on any structure or premises, nor shall any alteration, addition, or replacement be made in any existing plumbing system unless a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit has been obtained for the work except as exempted in Section 129.0403.

(b) No heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration system or part
thereof shall be installed, altered, replaced, or repaired unless a
Plumbing/Mechanical Permit has been obtained for the work except as
exempted in Section 129.0404.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) A Plumbing Permit is not required for the following plumbing work:

(1) stopping of leaks in drains, soil, waste, or vent pipe; however, this
exemption does not apply for the replacement of any drain pipe, soil,
waste, or vent pipe with new material in any part as part of the repair;

(2) clearing of stoppages, or the repair of leaks in soil, waste, or vent
pipes, valves, fixtures, or replacement of exposed traps in existing
plumbing systems serving lavatories, sinks, laundry trays, or similar
fixtures;

(3) replacement in kind of plumbing fixtures, unless the installation
requires an alteration or replacement of drainage, waste, vent, or water
supply piping.

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(b) Exemption from the permit requirements of the Plumbing Regulations does
not authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions
of the Plumbing Regulations or any other applicable local or state regulations.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 4-8-2008 by O-19730 N.S; effective 5-8-2008.)
(Amended 4-6-2016 by O-20624 N.S.; effective 5-6-2016.)

Conditioning, and Refrigeration Work

(a) A Mechanical Permit is not required for the following heating, ventilation, air
conditioning, or refrigeration repair work:

(1) repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration
equipment, provided the work does not require removal of the
equipment from its installed position or the replacement of faulty
controls, valves, driers, or filters in the system;

(2) installing temperature controls, repairing leaks, or recharging
refrigeration compressors or systems;

(3) servicing, or repairing ice machines;

(4) installing self-contained refrigerators or freezers;

(5) installing a portable heating appliance, portable ventilating equipment,
a portable cooling unit, or a portable evaporative cooler;

(6) replacement of piping in a closed system of steam, hot, or chilled
water piping within heating or cooling equipment;

(7) replacement of any component part of assembly of an appliance that
does not alter its original approval; or

(8) installing or servicing refrigerating equipment that is a part of
equipment for which a permit has previously been approved.

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(b) Exemption from the permit requirements of the Mechanical Regulations does
not authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions
of the Mechanical Regulations or any other applicable local or state
regulations.
(Amended 9-24-2002 by O-19105 N.S.)
(Retitled from “Exemptions from a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit for Heating,
Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Work” to “Exemptions from a
Mechanical Permit for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Work” and amended 4-6-2016 by O-20624 N.S.; effective 5-6-2016.)

(a) A Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall be obtained before work is started except in cases where emergency or urgent necessity can be shown to exist, in which case a permit shall be obtained within 2 business days of beginning work.

(b) A separate Plumbing/Mechanical Permit is required for each building in
which rough work for a plumbing fixture, or heating, ventilating, air
conditioning, or refrigeration is installed, except in the case of an unoccupied
accessory building or a garage that is part of the plumbing system of a single
dwelling unit.

(c) No privately owned lines, equipment, duct work, or other facilities shall be
installed over, under, or across any public property without first complying
with the requirements in Municipal Code Chapter 6, Article 2.

(d) The Building Official may withhold permission to install or operate any gas or
electrical meter for a structure until the structure is approved for occupancy.

(e) The Building Official shall inspect, and reinspect as the Official determines to
be necessary, all plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or
refrigeration system installations and shall keep complete records of all
permits, inspections, and reinspections.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

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A Plumbing/Mechanical Permit for plumbing work may be issued only to the following:

(a) Contractors licensed by the State of California who are entitled to engage in
the business of, or act in the capacity of, a contractor relating to plumbing;

(b) Property owners or lessees; or

(c) Businesses or organizations properly licensed by the City of San Diego to
engage in the installation of special equipment or systems that require
connection of the equipment or systems into the water or gas supply system
where such work is not covered by State of California Contractor licensing
laws. Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or other contractors may obtain
permits for the extension of gas piping only to equipment they are installing
within their classifications of work as determined by the California
Contractor’s State License Board. They may not obtain permits for the
repiping of a gas system, or work at the installation of gas piping to heating or
air conditioning equipment, installed by others. Work authorized by any
permit issued under Section 129.0406(a) shall not entitle the holder to perform
work other than the connection of equipment or systems into an existing water
or gas piping system.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) An application for a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall be submitted in accordance with Sections 112.0102 and 129.0105. All submitted plans shall be signed as required by Chapter 7 of the California Business and Professions Code.

(b) Every application shall include the following information:

(1) Location of the work proposed to be installed; and

(2) The amount and kind of work proposed.

(c) Submittal documents including plans, specifications, and schedules may be
necessary to determine whether the installation as described will be in
compliance with the requirements of the Plumbing and Mechanical
Regulations. Plumbing/Mechanical plans are not required when the Building
Official determines that the scope of work and compliance with the applicable
provisions of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations can be verified
through an inspection.

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(d) When plans are required, they shall be sufficiently complete to demonstrate
compliance with the Plumbing and Mechanical Regulations or other
applicable local or state regulations.

(e) The Building Official may require plans to be signed by a mechanical
engineer or shall require signature as otherwise specified by state law.

(f) All pertinent changes in mechanical plans submitted for plan check that are
made before a Building Permit is issued must be indicated by appropriate
revision marks and the date of revision.

(g) An owner, or the owner’s authorized representative, may request in writing,
and be granted, a temporary waiver of mechanical plan check clearance before
completion of regular mechanical plan check for the purpose of obtaining a
building foundation permit under the following circumstances:

(1) Estimated data for sizing and locating the sewer connection and water
meter are indicated on the plans;

(2) The fees are paid for the required water meter and sewer connections;

(3) Complete mechanical plans are submitted and plan check approval is
obtained before a Building Permit is issued; and

(4) The owner or the owner’s authorized representative agrees in writing to make any necessary changes in the plumbing system, size of water meter, or sewer connection necessary to make the installed plumbing system comply with the Plumbing and Mechanical Regulations and to pay any required additional water meter or sewer connection fees before the Building Permit for the remainder of the structure is issued. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 4-6-2016 by O-20624 N.S.; effective 5-6-2016.)

A decision on an application for a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall be made by the Building Official in accordance with Process One. The Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall be approved if the Building Official determines that the work described in the permit application and the accompanying plans comply with the Plumbing and Mechanical Regulations, other applicable laws and ordinances, other applicable construction permits, or any applicable development permits. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

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Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Application

(a) A Plumbing/Mechanical Permit may be issued after all approvals have been
obtained and the required fees have been paid.

(b) A Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall not be issued for a development that
requires a development permit until the development permit has been issued.

(c) If one year has elapsed since the date a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit
application is deemed complete and the applicant has not requested that a
Plumbing/Mechanical Permit be issued, the application file shall be closed.
Plans and other data submitted for review may be returned to the applicant or
destroyed by the Building Official. To reapply, the applicant shall submit a
new Plumbing/Mechanical Permit application with required submittal
materials and shall be subject to all applicable fees and regulations in effect
on the date the new application is filed.

(d) The Plumbing/Mechanical Permit application file for City projects shall be
closed after two years have elapsed since the date the Plumbing/ Mechanical
Permit application is deemed complete.

(e) The Building Official may extend a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit application
one time, for a period not exceeding 180 calendar days, if the Building
Official determines that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant
prevented issuance of the Plumbing/Mechanical Permit.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Retitled from “Issuance of a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit” to “Issuance of a
Plumbing/Mechanical Permit and Closing of a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit
Application” and amended 4-9-2020 by O-21181 N.S.; effective 5-9-2020.)

(a) A Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall expire if substantial work authorized by the permit has not been completed and validated by an inspection within 180 calendar days of the date of permit issuance.

(b) A Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall expire if, after initial utilization of a
permit pursuant to Section 129.0411(a), work authorized by the
Plumbing/Mechanical Permit is suspended or the structure is abandoned for a
continuous period of 180 calendar days.

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(c) A Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall expire 2 years after the date of permit
issuance if the work authorized by the Plumbing/Mechanical Permit has not
received final inspection approval by the permit expiration date.

(d) If the work authorized by the Plumbing/Mechanical Permit has not received
final inspection approval by the permit expiration date, all work shall stop
until a new permit is issued.

(e) Any Plumbing/Mechanical Permit associated with a Building Permit shall
expire concurrently with the Building Permit.

(f) An expired Plumbing/Mechanical Permit may be extended by the Building
Official concurrently with the extension of a Building Permit.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Retitled from “Initial Utilization of a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit” to
“Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Expiration” and amended 4-6-2016 by O-20624 N.S.;
effective 5-6-2016.)
(Amended 1-18-2018 by O-20897 N.S.; effective 2-17-2018.)

(a) All construction work and equipment authorized by a Plumbing/ Mechanical Permit shall be inspected by the Building Official in accordance with Section 129.0111.

(b) No equipment regulated by the Plumbing and Mechanical Regulations shall
be connected to the fuel, water, or power supply until it complies with all
applicable Plumbing and Mechanical Regulations and a final inspection
approval has been issued, except when otherwise approved by the Building
Official for construction or test purposes.

(c) Required Inspections. New plumbing and mechanical work and such portions
of existing systems that may be affected by new work, or changes to existing
plumbing and mechanical systems, shall be inspected by the Building Official
to ensure compliance with the requirements of the San Diego Municipal Code
and to ensure that the installation and construction of the plumbing and
mechanical system is in accordance with the approved construction plans. The
following inspections shall be required. The permit holder shall be
responsible for scheduling the inspections:

(1) Final Inspection. Final inspection shall be made upon completion of
the installation and after the installation of the plumbing or mechanical
has been tested, inspected, and approved.

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(2) Other Inspections. In addition to the inspections required by Section
129.0415, the Building Official may require additional inspections to
ascertain compliance with the provisions of the Plumbing Regulations
and the Mechanical Regulations of the Land Development Code.

(d) The permit holder shall ensure that the work will pass the test prescribed prior
to requesting an inspection for the Building Official to witness the test. The
permit holder shall furnish the equipment, material, and labor necessary for
inspection or tests.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 1-18-2018 by O-20897 N.S.; effective 2-17-2018.)

(a) If any person to whom a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit has been issued abandons an installation, the permit holder, owner, or owner’s authorized representative shall notify the Building Official in writing. The notice shall be given within 2 calendar days of the date on which work was discontinued and shall include a request for inspection of the work installed. Upon receipt of this notification by the Building Official, the Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall expire.

(b) No person shall resume work on any incomplete installation until the
installation has been released by the Building Official and a new
Plumbing/Mechanical Permit has been obtained. A copy of the notice shall
accompany the application for the new permit.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 4-6-2016 by O-20624 N.S.; effective 5-6-2016.)

The Plumbing/Mechanical Permit shall be for the installation described in the permit application and no deviation shall be made from the installation so described without the written approval of the Building Official. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) The Building Official may issue a Temporary Plumbing Permit for the following types of plumbing installations:

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(1) Use during construction. The temporary plumbing authorization shall
be for the time construction is in progress; and

(2) Other temporary uses. The authorization for other temporary uses
shall not exceed 30 calendar days.

(b) Approval to place temporary plumbing over the street area or other public
property must be obtained from the City Engineer.

(c) All temporary installations shall conform as nearly as practicable with the
requirements of the Plumbing Regulations for permanent installations. The
Building Official may permit deviations that will not cause hazard to life or
property.

(d) If the Building Official subsequently determines that the plumbing installation
is a hazard to life or property, the Building Official may immediately rescind
or cancel the permit covering the installations and disconnect or order
disconnection and removal of the plumbing installation.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(a) The Building Official may issue a Temporary Gas Permit for gas service for construction purposes before final heating inspection. The authorization shall be for the time construction is in progress.

(b) The Building Official shall send a Temporary Gas Service Release Notice to
the gas utility company, provided the gas piping system has been inspected,
tested, and approved.

(c) A Temporary Gas Permit may be issued only to those possessing a valid Gas
Permit.

(d) A Temporary Gas Permit and Release Notice may be revoked at the discretion
of the Building Official. A Temporary Gas Permit will automatically be
revoked if any portion of the building is occupied without authorization of the
Building Official. The Building Official will notify the gas utility company
when any Temporary Gas Release Notice is revoked.

(e) It is unlawful to use gas from, or supply gas to, any system after the
Temporary Gas Release Notice has been revoked.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

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Article 9: Construction Permits