CPC · California Plumbing Code
How to request inspections and required advance notice
If you or your contractor have a plumbing permit, you (the person doing the work or permit holder) must tell the local building department when the work is ready for inspection. The code requires at least 24 hours’ advance notice and allows the department to require requests be filed at least 1 working day in advance; you must also provide access, approved plans, and any test equipment. **§ 105.2.3** and **§ 105.2.4**.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2–4 sentences
The California Plumbing Code makes it the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction that the work is ready for inspection — see § 105.2.3. The code also requires that that notification (advance notice) be given not less than 24 hours before inspection — see § 105.2.4. The AHJ is permitted to require that a request for inspection be filed not less than 1 working day before the desired inspection, and may set whether requests are made in writing or by telephone — see § 105.2.3.
The single most important rule: Notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction that the permitted work is ready and give the required advance notice (24 hours minimum; your AHJ may require a 1‑working‑day request) and provide access for the inspector.
Requirements in detail
Who must notify
- Duty: the person doing the work authorized by a permit (normally the permit holder or their agent). § 105.2.3 requires this notification.
How and when to notify
- The AHJ may require that a request for inspection be filed not less than 1 working day before the inspection is desired; the request can be in writing or by telephone, at the AHJ’s option (administrative practice). § 105.2.3.
- Separately, the code states the advance notice duty: notification (oral or written) must be given not less than 24 hours before the work is to be inspected. § 105.2.4.
What you must make available
- The person requesting the inspection must provide access to and means for inspection of the work (e.g., uncovered piping, ladders, keys, test equipment). § 105.2.3.
- The permit holder must ensure the work will stand the prescribed tests before calling for inspection and must furnish the equipment, material, and labor necessary for inspection or testing. § 105.2.5 (related duty).
Administrative details the AHJ may require
- The AHJ is permitted to set the method of request (written form, telephone, online scheduling), the minimum lead time (1 working day option), and other scheduling rules; follow your local AHJ’s published procedures. § 105.2.3.
Decision‑relevant table
| Decision dimension | Typical values / required action | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Who must notify | Person doing the work authorized by the permit (permit holder/agent) | § 105.2.3 |
| Minimum lead time (AHJ option) | Not less than 1 working day for filing a request (AHJ may require) | § 105.2.3 |
| Minimum advance notice (duty) | Not less than 24 hours before inspection | § 105.2.4 |
| Request method | Writing or telephone (at AHJ option); some jurisdictions provide online scheduling | § 105.2.3 |
| Access / means for inspection | Provide access, uncovered work, ladders, test apparatus, approved plans on site | § 105.2.3 and § 105.2.6 (plans/access) |
| Equipment/material for test | Provided by permit holder/requesting person | § 105.2.5 |
| Reinspection consequences | Reinspection fees allowed where work not ready, approved plans not available, or access not provided | § 105.2.6 |
Exceptions & special cases
- Emergency or replacement work: The code allows operation of plumbing that replaces existing fixtures serving an occupied portion of a building when a request for inspection has been filed with the AHJ not more than 72 hours after replacement work is completed, and before the system is concealed by permanent work — see § 105.2.1. This is a narrow operational exception; you must still file for inspection within the 72‑hour window.
- Local variations: The AHJ may adopt administrative rules (scheduling windows, minimum notice beyond code, online portals). Those local requirements are authorized by § 105.2.3 and other administrative sections; always check your local AHJ procedures.
Common mistakes
- Calling for inspection without allowing access or exposing the work (e.g., failing to uncover trenches or remove membrane) — leads to reinspection fees. § 105.2.3, § 105.2.6.
- Assuming “same‑day” scheduling will be honored when the AHJ requires 1 working day notice — plan for the AHJ’s required lead time. § 105.2.3.
- Not filing the inspection request within 24 hours when the code requires advance notice — the code imposes a duty to give at least 24 hours’ notice. § 105.2.4.
- Not having approved plans available at inspection (the AHJ may charge reinspection fees). § 105.2.6.
- Failing to furnish test equipment or materials for required tests — the permit holder must supply necessary equipment and labor. § 105.2.5.
Worked example
Scenario: A licensed plumber completes a rough‑in and needs a rough‑in inspection. The local AHJ’s published procedure requires requests to be filed at least 1 working day in advance and accepts phone or online requests.
Steps and timing:
- Work completed (walls open) on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. — plumber confirms rough‑in is ready. (Duty: person doing the work.) § 105.2.3.
- Because the AHJ requires 1 working day notice, the plumber files the request by phone or online no later than Wednesday business open (i.e., not less than 1 working day before the desired Thursday inspection). § 105.2.3.
- Code’s 24‑hour advance notice duty means the notification must be given at least 24 hours before the scheduled inspection time; scheduling for Thursday morning after Wednesday notice satisfies both the AHJ rule and § 105.2.4.
- On the inspection day the plumber ensures access, approved plans on site, and any test apparatus so the inspector can complete the inspection; failing to do so may trigger a reinspection fee under § 105.2.6.
Numbers summary: finish Tuesday 4:00 p.m. → request filed by Wednesday (1 working day lead) → inspection Thursday (≥24 hours’ advance). This sequence complies with both § 105.2.3 and § 105.2.4.
Related provisions
- § 105.2.1 — Uncovering / special rule for replaced plumbing (72‑hour rule for replacements).
- § 105.2.5 — Responsibility of the permit holder to ensure work will stand tests and to furnish equipment, material, and labor.
- § 105.2.6 — Reinspections and reinspection fee authority (when work not ready, plans unavailable, or access not provided).
- § 105.2.2 — Authority Having Jurisdiction may require other inspections as necessary.
- § 104.5 (fees and investigations) — investigation fees when work started without permit; administrative fee provisions that affect enforcement.
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Plumbing Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CPC § 105.2.1.1 High relevance — show source text
105.2.1.1 Water Supply System. No water supply system or portion thereof shall be covered or concealed until it first has been tested, inspected, and approved.
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DIVISION II SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
105.2.1.2 Covering or Using. No plumbing or drainage system, building sewer, private sewer disposal system, or part thereof, shall be covered, concealed, or put into use until it has been tested, inspected, and accepted as prescribed in this code. 105.2.2 Other Inspections. In addition to the inspections required by this code, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to require other inspections to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
105.2.3 Inspection Requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction that such work is ready for inspection. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to require that a request for inspection be filed not less than 1 working day before such inspection is desired. Such request shall be permitted to be made in writing or by telephone, at the option of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections in accordance with this code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work. 105.2.4 Advance Notice. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the permit to notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction, orally or in writing that said work is ready for inspection. Such notification shall be given not less than 24 hours before the work is to be inspected. 105.2.5 Responsibility. It shall be the duty of the holder of a permit to make sure that the work will stand the test prescribed before giving the notification.
The equipment, material, and labor necessary for inspection or tests shall be furnished by the person to whom the permit is issued or by whom inspection is requested. 105.2.6 Reinspections. A reinspection fee shall be permitted to be assessed for each inspection or reinspection where such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or where required corrections have not been made.
This provision shall not be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to be in accordance with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for inspection or reinspection.
Reinspection fees shall be permitted to be assessed where the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which the inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
To obtain reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefore in writing upon a form furnished for that purpose and pay the reinspection fee in accordance with Table 104.5.
In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid. 105.3 Testing of Systems. Plumbing systems shall be tested and approved in accordance with this code or the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Tests shall be conducted in the presence of the Authority Having Jurisdiction or the Authority Having Jurisdiction’s duly appointed representative.
CPC § 105.2 High relevance — show source text
105.2 Required Inspections. New plumbing work and such portions of existing systems as affected by new work, or changes, shall be inspected by the Authority Having Jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the requirements of this code and to ensure that the installation and construction of the plumbing system are in accordance with approved plans. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall make the following inspections and other such inspections as necessary. The permittee or the permittee’s authorized agent shall be responsible for the scheduling of such inspections as follows:
(1) The underground inspection shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping installed, and before backfill is put in place.
(2) Rough-in inspection shall be made prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.
(3) Final inspection shall be made upon completion of the installation.
105.2.1 Uncovering. Where a drainage or plumbing system, building sewer, private sewage disposal system, or part thereof, which is installed, altered, or repaired, is covered or concealed before being inspected, tested, and approved as prescribed in this code, it shall be uncovered for inspection after notice to uncover the work has been issued to the responsible person by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
The requirements of this section shall not be considered to prohibit the operation of plumbing installed to replace existing equipment or fixtures serving an occupied portion of the building in the event a request for inspection of such equipment or fixture has been filed with the Authority Having Jurisdiction not more than 72 hours after such replacement work is completed, and before a portion of such plumbing system is concealed by a permanent portion of the building.
105.2.1.1 Water Supply System. No water supply system or portion thereof shall be covered or concealed until it first has been tested, inspected, and approved.
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DIVISION II SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
105.2.1.2 Covering or Using. No plumbing or drainage system, building sewer, private sewer disposal system, or part thereof, shall be covered, concealed, or put into use until it has been tested, inspected, and accepted as prescribed in this code. 105.2.2 Other Inspections. In addition to the inspections required by this code, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to require other inspections to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
105.2.3 Inspection Requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction that such work is ready for inspection. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to require that a request for inspection be filed not less than 1 working day before such inspection is desired. Such request shall be permitted to be made in writing or by telephone, at the option of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
CPC § 105.0 High relevance — show source text
(2) Refunding of not more than a percentage, as determined by this jurisdiction where no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall not authorize refunding of a fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee not to exceed 180 days after the date of fee payment.
105.0 Inspections and Testing. 105.1 General. Mechanical systems for which a permit is required by this code shall be inspected by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
No mechanical system or portion thereof shall be covered, concealed, or put into use until inspected and approved as prescribed in this code. Neither the Authority Having Jurisdiction nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of material required to permit inspection. Mechanical systems regulated by this code shall not be connected to the energy fuel supply lines until authorized by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
105.2 Required Inspections. New mechanical system work and such portions of existing systems as affected by new work, or changes, shall be inspected by the Authority Having Jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the requirements of this code and to ensure that the installation and construction of the mechanical system are in accordance with approved plans. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall make the following inspections and other such inspections as necessary. The permittee or the permittee’s authorized agent shall be responsible for the scheduling of such inspections as follows:
(1) Underground inspection shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping installed, and before backfill is put in place.
(2) Rough-in inspection shall be made prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.
(3) Final inspection shall be made upon completion of the installation.
105.2.1 Uncovering. Where a mechanical system, or part thereof, which is installed, altered, or repaired, is covered or concealed before being inspected, tested, and approved as prescribed in this code, it shall be uncovered for inspection after notice to uncover the work has been issued to the responsible person by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. The requirements of this section shall not be considered to prohibit the operation of mechanical systems installed to replace existing equipment serving
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DIVISION II SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
an occupied portion of the building in the event a request for inspection of such equipment has been filed with the Authority Having Jurisdiction not more than 72 hours after such replacement work is completed, and before a portion of such mechanical system is concealed by a permanent portion of the building. 105.2.2 Other Inspections. In addition to the inspections required by this code, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to require other inspections to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
105.2.3 Inspection Requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction that such work is ready for inspection. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to require that a request for inspection be filed not less than 1 working day before such inspection is desired. Such request shall be permitted to be made in writing or by telephone, at the option of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections in accordance with this code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work.
CPC § 105.2.2 High relevance — show source text
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DIVISION II SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
an occupied portion of the building in the event a request for inspection of such equipment has been filed with the Authority Having Jurisdiction not more than 72 hours after such replacement work is completed, and before a portion of such mechanical system is concealed by a permanent portion of the building. 105.2.2 Other Inspections. In addition to the inspections required by this code, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to require other inspections to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
105.2.3 Inspection Requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction that such work is ready for inspection. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to require that a request for inspection be filed not less than 1 working day before such inspection is desired. Such request shall be permitted to be made in writing or by telephone, at the option of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections in accordance with this code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work.
105.2.4 Advance Notice. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the permit to notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction, orally or in writing that said work is ready for inspection. Such notification shall be given not less than 24 hours before the work is to be inspected.
105.2.5 Responsibility. It shall be the duty of the holder of a permit to make sure that the work will stand the test prescribed before giving the notification.
The equipment, material, and labor necessary for inspection or tests shall be furnished by the person to whom the permit is issued or by whom inspection is requested.
105.2.6 Reinspections. A reinspection fee shall be permitted to be assessed for each inspection or reinspection where such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or where required corrections have not been made.
This provision shall not be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to be in accordance with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for inspection or reinspection.
Reinspection fees shall be permitted to be assessed where the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which the inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
To obtain reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefore in writing upon a form furnished
for that purpose and pay the reinspection fee in accordance with Table 104.5.
In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid. 105.3 Testing of Systems. Mechanical systems shall be tested and approved in accordance with this code or the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Tests shall be conducted in the presence of the Authority Having Jurisdiction or the Authority Having Jurisdiction’s duly appointed representative.
CPC § 7-115 High relevance — show source text
1704 A .1 General. Special inspections and tests, statements of special inspections, responsibilities of contractors, submittals to the building official and structural observations shall meet the applicable requirements of this section.
1704 A .2 Special inspections and tests. Where application is made to the building official for construction as specified in Section 105 the owner shall employ one or more approved agencies to provide special inspections and tests during construction on the types of work specified in Section 1705 A and identify the approved agencies to the building official. These special inspections and tests are in addition to the inspections by the building official that are identified in Section 110.
[OSHPD 1 & 4] The inspectors shall act under the direction of the architect or structural engineer or both, and be responsible to the Owner. Where the California Administrative Code (CAC) Section 7-115 (a) 2 permits construction documents to be prepared under the
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SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
responsible charge of a mechanical, electrical or civil engineer, inspectors shall be permitted to work under the direction of engineer in appropriate branch as permitted therein.
Exceptions:
- Special inspections and tests are not required for construction of a minor nature or as warranted by conditions in the jurisdiction as approved by the building official.
- [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC] Reference to Section 105 and Section 110 shall be to the California Administrative Code instead.
1704 A .2.1 Special inspector qualifications. Prior to the start of the construction, the approved agencies shall provide written documentation to the building official demonstrating the competence and relevant experience or training of the special inspectors who will perform the special inspections and tests during construction. Experience or training shall be considered to be relevant where the documented experience or training is related in complexity to the same type of special inspection or testing activities for projects of similar complexity and material qualities. These qualifications are in addition to qualifications specified in other sections of this code.
The registered design professional in responsible charge and engineers of record involved in the design of the project are permitted to act as an approved agency and their personnel are permitted to act as special inspectors for the work designed by them, provided they qualify as special inspectors.
1704 A .2.2 Access for special inspection. The construction or work for which special inspection or testing is required shall remain accessible and exposed for special inspection or testing purposes until completion of the required special inspections or tests.
1704 A .2.3 Statement of special inspections. The applicant shall submit a statement of special inspections prepared by the regis- tered design professional in general responsible charge in accordance with Section 107.1 as a condition for construction documents review . This statement shall be in accordance with Section 1704 A .3.
[DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC] Reference to Section 107.1 shall be to the California Administrative Code instead.
1704 A .2.4 Report requirement. The inspector(s) of record and approved agencies shall keep records of special inspections and tests.
CPC § 4.420 High relevance — show source text
410|≥4.420|NA|AHRI
550/590| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|<75|≤0.7885
FL
≤0.6316
IPLV.IP|≤0.7875
FL
≤0.5145
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.550|NA|NA|NA|6.150|6.150| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥75
and
<150|≤0.7579
FL
≤0.5895
IPLV.IP|≤0.7140
FL
≤0.4620
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.640|≥3.680|≥2.680|NA|≥8.330|≥6.410|≥4.420|NA|NA| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥75
and
<150|≤0.7579
FL
≤0.5895
IPLV.IP|≤0.7140
FL
≤0.4620
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.550|NA|NA|NA|6.150|6.150| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥150
and
<300|≤0.6947
FL
≤0.5684
IPLV.IP|≤0.7140
FL
≤0.4620
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.640|≥3.680|≥2.680|NA|≥8.330|≥6.410|≥4.420|NA|NA| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥150
and
<300|≤0.6947
FL
≤0.5684
IPLV.IP|≤0.7140
FL
≤0.4620
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.550|NA|NA|NA|6.150|6.150| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥300
and
<600|≤0.6421
FL
≤0.5474
IPLV.IP|≤0.6563
FL
≤0.4305
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.930|≥3.960|≥2.970|NA|≥8.900|≥6.CPC § 6.980 High relevance — show source text
900|≥6.980|≥5.000|NA|NA| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥300
and
<600|≤0.6421
FL
≤0.5474
IPLV.IP|≤0.6563
FL
≤0.4305
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.900|NA|NA|NA|6.850|6.850| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥600|≤0.5895
FL
≤0.5263
IPLV.IP|≤0.6143
FL
≤0.3990
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.930|≥3.960|≥2.970|NA|≥8.900|≥6.980|≥5.000|NA|NA| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
positive
displace-
ment|≥600|≤0.5895
FL
≤0.5263
IPLV.IP|≤0.6143
FL
≤0.3990
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.900|NA|NA|NA|6.850|6.850| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
centrifu-
gal|<75|≤0.6421
FL
≤0.5789
IPLV.IP|≤0.7316
FL
≤0.4632
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.640|≥3.680|≥2.680|NA|≥8.330|≥6.410|≥4.420|NA|AHRI
550/590| |Water
source
electri-
cally
operated
centrifu-
gal|<75|≤0.6421
FL
≤0.5789
IPLV.IP|≤0.7316
FL
≤0.4632
IPLV.IP|75/655|NA|NA|NA|≥3.550|NA|NA|NA|≥6.150|≥6.150| |Water
source
electri-
cally
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centrifu-
gal|≥75
and
<150|≤0.5895
FL
≤0.5474
IPLV.IP|≤0.6684
FL
≤0.4211
IPLV.IP|54/445|≥4.640|≥3.680|≥2.680|NA|≥8.330|≥6.410|≥4.CPC § 104.5.2 Medium relevance — show source text
** Where work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit is issued for such work. 104.5.2 Investigation Fees. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee that is required by this code if a permit were to be issued. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt a person from compliance with other provisions of this code, nor from a penalty prescribed by law. 104.5.3 Fee Refunds. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to authorize the refunding of a fee as follows:
(1) The amount paid hereunder that was erroneously paid or collected.
(2) Refunding of not more than a percentage, as determined by this jurisdiction where no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall not authorize the refunding of a fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee not to exceed 180 days after the date of fee payment.
105.0 Inspections and Testing.
105.1 General. Plumbing systems for which a permit is required by this code shall be inspected by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
No plumbing system or portion thereof shall be covered, concealed, or put into use until inspected and approved as prescribed in this code. Neither the Authority Having Jurisdiction nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of material required to permit inspection. Plumbing systems regulated by this code shall not be connected to the water, the energy fuel supply, or the sewer system until authorized by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
105.2 Required Inspections. New plumbing work and such portions of existing systems as affected by new work, or changes, shall be inspected by the Authority Having Jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the requirements of this code and to ensure that the installation and construction of the plumbing system are in accordance with approved plans. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall make the following inspections and other such inspections as necessary. The permittee or the permittee’s authorized agent shall be responsible for the scheduling of such inspections as follows:
(1) The underground inspection shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping installed, and before backfill is put in place.
(2) Rough-in inspection shall be made prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.
(3) Final inspection shall be made upon completion of the installation.
105.2.1 Uncovering. Where a drainage or plumbing system, building sewer, private sewage disposal system, or part thereof, which is installed, altered, or repaired, is covered or concealed before being inspected, tested, and approved as prescribed in this code, it shall be uncovered for inspection after notice to uncover the work has been issued to the responsible person by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
The requirements of this section shall not be considered to prohibit the operation of plumbing installed to replace existing equipment or fixtures serving an occupied portion of the building in the event a request for inspection of such equipment or fixture has been filed with the Authority Having Jurisdiction not more than 72 hours after such replacement work is completed, and before a portion of such plumbing system is concealed by a permanent portion of the building.
105.2.1.1 Water Supply System. No water supply system or portion thereof shall be covered or concealed until it first has been tested, inspected, and approved.
CPC § 1-24 Medium relevance — show source text
102 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Part 2—Administration and Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
103 Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
104 Duties and Powers of Building Official. . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
106 Floor and Roof Design Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
107 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
108 Temporary Structures, Equipment and Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
109 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
110 Inspections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
111 Certificate of Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
112 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
113 Means of Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
114 Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
115 Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
201 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
202 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
CHAPTER 3 OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE . . . . .3-1
301 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
302 Occupancy Classification and Use Designation . . . . 3-3
CPC § 1703.6.2 Medium relevance — show source text
1703.6.2 Test and inspection records. Copies of necessary test and special inspection records shall be filed with the building official.
SECTION 1704—SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS, CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY AND STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION
1704.1 General. Special inspections and tests, statements of special inspections, responsibilities of contractors, submittals to the building official and structural observations shall meet the applicable requirements of this section.
1704.2 Special inspections and tests. Where application is made to the building official for construction as specified in Section 105, or 1.8.4, as applicable, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent, other than the contractor, shall employ one or more approved agencies to provide special inspections and tests during construction on the types of work specified in Section 1705 and identify the approved agencies to the building official. These special inspections and tests are in addition to the inspections by the building official that are identified in Section 110.
[OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5] In addition, the approved agencies shall provide special inspections and tests during construction on the types of work listed under Chapters 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, and noted in the Test, Inspection and Observation (TIO) program as required by the Office.
The special inspectors shall act under the direction of the architect or structural engineer or both, and be responsible to the Owner. Where California Administrative Code Section 7-115 (a) 2 permits construction documents to be prepared under the responsible charge of a mechanical, electrical or civil engineer, special inspectors shall be permitted to work under the direction of an engineer in the appro- priate branch as permitted therein.
Exceptions:
- Special inspections and tests are not required for construction of a minor nature or as warranted by conditions in the jurisdiction as approved by the building official.
- Unless otherwise required by the building official, special inspections and tests are not required for Group U occupancies that are accessory to a residential occupancy including, but not limited to, those listed in Section 312.1.
- Special inspections and tests are not required for portions of structures designed and constructed in accordance with the cold-formed steel light-frame construction provisions of Section 2206.1.2 or the conventional light-frame construction provisions of Section 2308. [OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5] Not permitted by OSHPD.
17-4 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
- The contractor is permitted to employ the approved agencies where the contractor is also the owner. [OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5] Not permitted by OSHPD. 5. [HCD 1] The provisions of Health and Safety Code Division 13, Part 6 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 3, commencing with Section 3000, shall apply to the construction and inspection of factory-built housing as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 19971.
CPC § 1-22 Medium relevance — show source text
PART 2—ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
103 Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
104 Duties and Powers of Code Official. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
106 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
107 Temporary Uses, Equipment and Systems. . . . . . . 1-28
108 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
109 Inspections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
110 Certificate of Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
111 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
112 Means of Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
113 Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
114 Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
115 Unsafe Structures and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
116 Emergency Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
117 Demolition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
201 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
202 General Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
CHAPTER 3 PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE
METHODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
301 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
CPC § 90.1 Medium relevance — show source text
In the UEF standard equations, Vr refers to the rated volume in gallons. 2 ASHRAE 90.1 contains a complete specification, including the year version, of the referenced test procedure. 3 Electric instantaneous water heaters with input capacity >40 946 Btu/h (12 kW) and ≤ 200 000 Btu/h (58.6 kW) must comply with the requirements for the 200 000 Btu/h (58.6 kW) if the water heater either: (a) has a storage volume >2 gallons (7.6 L); (b) is designed to provide outlet hot water at temperatures greater than 180°F (82°C); or (c) uses three phase power. 4 Gas storage water heaters with input capacity >75 000 Btu/h (22 kW) and ≤ 105 000 Btu/h (30.8 kW) must comply with the requirements for the >105 000 Btu/h (30.8 kW) if the water heater either: (a) has a storage volume >120 gallons (454 L); (b) is designed to provide outlet hot water at temperatures greater than 180°F (82.2°C); or (c) uses three-phase power 5 Oil storage water heaters with input capacity >105 000 Btu/h (30.8 kW) and ≤ 140 000 Btu/h (41.0 kW) must comply with the requirements for the >140 000 Btu/h (41.0 kW) if the water heater either (a) has a storage volume >120 gallons (454 L); (b) is designed to provide outlet hot water at temperatures greater than 180°F (82.2°C); or (c) uses three-phase power 6 Refer to Section L 503.4.3 for additional requirements for gas storage and instantaneous water heaters and gas hot-water supply boilers. 7 Water heaters or gas pool heaters in this category or subcategory are regulated as consumer products by the USDOE as defined in 10 CFR 430. 8 Where this standard is being applied to a building outside the U.S. and Canada and water heaters in this subcategory are being installed in that building, those water heaters shall meet the local efficiency requirements. If there are no local efficiency standards for residential water heaters, consideration should be given to using the USDOE efficiency requirements shown in Appendix F, Table F-2 of ASHRAE 90.1.
516 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
), Copyright © 2025 IAPMO, and may not be used for any other purpose or distributed to any other persons or parties.
CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
APPENDIX M - PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
(Matrix Adoption Tables are non-regulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to call a specific number or can I email/request online?
Follow your local AHJ’s direction — the code permits the AHJ to require requests in writing or by telephone (and many AHJs offer online portals), per § 105.2.3.
What if my AHJ’s published rule requires more than 24 hours’ notice?
The AHJ may set administrative lead times (for example, 1 working day) and you must follow those; the code explicitly permits the AHJ to require such requests. § 105.2.3.
Can I put new plumbing into use before inspection if it’s an emergency?
A narrow exception allows operation of replacement plumbing serving an occupied portion if a request is filed within 72 hours after replacement and before concealment, per § 105.2.1. Otherwise, do not conceal or use systems before inspection and approval.
What happens if the inspector shows up and the job isn’t ready?
The AHJ is permitted to assess reinspection fees where the work is not complete, corrections not made, approved plans not available, or access not provided — see § 105.2.6.
Who must supply test equipment and materials?
The permit holder or the person requesting inspection must furnish the equipment, material, and labor necessary for inspection or tests, per § 105.2.5.
More in California Plumbing Code
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage (Drain, Waste, and Vent)
- Indirect Wastes
- Vents
- Traps and Interceptors
- Storm Drainage
- Fuel Gas Piping
- Health Care Facilities — Medical Gas and Medical Vacuum Systems
- Alternate Water Sources and Nonpotable Rainwater Catchment Systems
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