Projects must comply with the California Plumbing Code, California Health and Safety Code (Sections 116270–116293), and local water agency ordinances. 

Key code requirements

1. Clearance & Height: Most backflow assemblies (like RPZ and Double Check Valve) must be installed between 12 and 36 inches above finished grade.
   • Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) devices specifically require at least 12 inches of clearance from the ground to the relief valve discharge.
   • Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers (AVB) must be installed at least 6 inches above the highest downstream outlet or flood level rim of the fixture served.
   • Pressure Vacuum Breakers (PVB) must be installed at least 12 inches above the highest downstream point.
     
     
2. Accessibility: Devices must be readily accessible for testing and maintenance. This typically means providing 12 to 36 inches of side clearance.
   
   
3. Location: Devices must be installed as close as practical to the service connection (usually within the first few feet of the property line). Outdoor enclosures for these devices must meet ASSE 1060 standards.
   
   
4. Lead-Free Compliance: Since 2010, all new or replacement backflow preventers for potable water must be lead-free. 
   
   
5. Annual Testing: State law requires that all backflow prevention assemblies be tested at least once a year.

• Certified Testers: As of July 1, 2025, all testers must be certified by a group recognized by the State Water Resources Control Board.
• Required Documentation: Test results must typically be submitted to the local water authority within 30 days of the test. Property owners are required to keep these records for at least 3 years.
• Failure Protocol: If a device fails a test, it must be repaired or replaced immediately (typically within 30 days) and then re-tested to verify compliance. 

Dry Wells - Key Code Requirements

1. Size - Refer to Condensate Disposal Requirements

   • Residential condensate dry wells are often at least 2 feet square and 2 feet deep, filled with minimum 1-inch rock. 
     
     
   • Commercial drywells are to be constructed of 24" grade rings. 

French Drains - Key Code Requirements

1. French drains (often called horizontal or subsurface drains) must comply with the California Residential Code (CRC) and City grading policies. 
   
   
2. Discharge Points: Water must be diverted to an approved point of collection.
   
   
3. Foundation Protection: The California Building Code (CBC Section 1804.4) requires ground adjacent to foundations to slope away at a minimum of 5% for at least 10 feet.
   
   
4. Maintenance Access: Clean-outs are typically required every 50 feet for residential closed drains or wherever the grade changes significantly.

Alterations to Drain Waste Vent (DWV) and water systems are governed by the California Plumbing Code (CPC).

1. Horizontal Pipe Slope:
   • Minimum slope: ¼" per foot
   • Pipes 4" or larger: 1/8" per foot may be permitted if ¼" is not feasible.
     
     
2. Fixture Traps: Every plumbing fixture must have a trap to create a water seal, preventing sewer gases from entering the home.
   
   
3. Cleanouts: Required at the upper end of every drainage pipe, at intervals not exceeding 100 feet, and at any change of direction greater than 135 degrees, and at any horizontal run exceeding 5' in length.
   
   
4. Directional Fittings: Changes in direction must use "sweep" fittings like 1/8 or 1/16 bends. Standard 90-degree "quarter bends" are typically only allowed if they are the "long sweep" type.

Venting - Key code requirements

1. Trap Protection: Every trap must be protected by a vent to prevent the water seal from being siphoned out.
   
   
2. Distance to Vent based on pipe diameter: Maximum distance between a fixture trap and its vent:
   • 1 ½" diameter pipe:  42"
   • 2" diameter pipe:  5’
   • 3" diameter pipe:  6’
     
     
3. Vent Termination: Vents must terminate at least 6” above the roof and at least 10’ away or 3’ above any openable window or skylight.
   
   
4. Horizontal Wet Venting: Only permitted within a single bathroom group (e.g., sink, shower, and toilet). Specific limits apply to the length of wet-vented laterals.

Potable Water Supply - Key code requirements

1. Materials: Solder used in water systems must be lead-free. Dissimilar metals (like copper and steel) must be separated by a dielectric fitting to prevent corrosion.
   
   
2. Backflow Prevention: Hose outlets (hose bibbs) and landscape irrigation systems must have an approved backflow prevention device.
   
   
3. Pressure Limits: Water pressure at the fixture must be between 15 psi and 80 psi. If the supply pressure exceeds 80 psi, a pressure regulator is required.
   
   
4. Shutoff Valves:
   • A main fullway shutoff valve is required for the entire building.
   • Individual shutoffs must be provided at each fixture.
     
     
5. Testing and Inspection
   • DWV Testing: Systems must be tested with water (filled to at least 10’ of head pressure) or air (at 5 psi) to ensure no leaks exist before they are covered. No air testing on plastic pipes.
   • Water Supply Testing: Must be tested with actual water pressure or 50 psi of air for at least 15 minutes.

Plumbing fixtures include faucets, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, urinals, bidets, drinking fountains, spickets, and other devices that can be attached or hooked up to a plumbing system to deliver or remove water. The California Plumbing Code (CPC) sets strict standards for water efficiency and lead-free materials. 

1. Listed Fixtures Only: All fixtures must be listed in the California Certification Database to be legally sold in the state.
   
   
2. Mandatory Water-Efficiency Flow Rates: Under Title 24 and CalGreen, residential and commercial properties must use high-efficiency models:
   
   Maximums:
   
   • Toilets:  1.28 gpf
   • Showerheads:  1.8 gpm
   • Residential Faucets (Bathroom): 1.2 gpm
   • Residential Faucets (Kitchen):  1.8 gpm (with 2.2 gpm temporary override)
   • Urinals: 0.125 gpf for wall-hung; 0.5 gpf for others
      
3. Lead-Free Requirements (AB 100)
   • Fixtures that leach excessive lead into drinking water are prohibited.
   • Kitchen and bathroom faucets must be certified as "lead-free" under NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: Q ≤ 1 standards.
   • Fixtures must have a weighted average lead content of no more than 0.25% for wetted surfaces.
     
     
4. Retrofit Requirements (SB 407)
   • For properties built before January 1, 1994, any permitted alteration or improvement triggers a mandatory upgrade of all "noncompliant" fixtures to water-conserving models throughout the building.
   • Single-Family: Full compliance was required by January 1, 2017.
   • Multifamily/Commercial: Full compliance was required by January 1, 2019.
   • Disclosures: Sellers must disclose in writing to buyers if a property contains noncompliant fixtures.
     
     
5. Installation & Spacing Standards (2025 CPC)
   • Toilets: Minimum 15" clearance from the center to any side wall or obstruction and 24" of clear space in front.
   • Hot Water Delivery: Systems must deliver hot water within a specific timeframe, often requiring recirculation systems for distant fixtures.
   • Drainage: Drainpipes must maintain a minimum slope of 1/4" per foot for proper gravity flow.

Key code requirements

1. DSA Certification: Every automatic gas shutoff valve must be certified by the State Architect to ensure it meets specific seismic triggers (typically activating at a magnitude of 5.4 or greater).
   
   
2. Standard Compliance: Valves must comply with California Referenced Standard 12-16-1 (for earthquake-actuated valves) or 12-16-2 (for excess flow valves).
   
   
3. Installation Location: The valve must be installed on the customer-owned "house line" downstream of the utility gas meter. It is strictly prohibited to install these devices on utility-owned equipment.
   
   
4. Rigid Mounting: Motion-sensitive seismic valves must be mounted rigidly to the exterior of the building or a structure connected to the fuel gas piping to accurately sense ground motion.
   
   
5. Licensed Installation: Installation requires a plumbing permit and must be performed by a licensed contractor, often specifically a C-36 plumbing contractor.

Graywater refers to the use of untreated wastewater from showers, sinks, and clothes washers for landscape irrigation. 

In San José, simple clothes washer systems do not require a permit, however, you must submit a plot plan for approval prior to installation. If there is any modification to the plumbing system, then a plumbing permit is required.

In all cases, graywater regulations must be followed, as outlined below.

Graywater regulations

1. A graywater system that collects the used water from a residential clothes washing machine must be installed in accordance with regulations of the California Plumbing Code, Section 1503.0 - Graywater Systems (chapter for Alternate Water Systems for Nonpotable Applications).
   
   
   
   • Approved/listed three-way diverter valve is required on clothes washer.
     
     
2. Graywater systems require that you submit a plot plan to the City for approval.
    
3. Graywater must not be stored or allowed to pool.
   
   
4. Graywater must not run off-site; graywater must distribute into a subsurface or subsoil dispersion field or mulch basin. 
   
   
5. Do not allow contact with humans or pets.
   
   
6. Do not use graywater on plants intended for human consumption.
   
   
7. Do not use wash water that is used for washing diapers, rags or materials containing cleaning products or hazardous chemicals. Divert wash water to the sanitary sewer when the washer is for such items.
   
   
8. Soaps, shampoos, detergent and cleansers must be biodegradable and safe for graywater use. See Greywater-Compatible Cleaning Products. When in doubt about whether a cleaning product is compatible, don't use it in your system.

When permits are required

If there are no modifications to the plumbing or electrical systems, a single residential clothes washer graywater system does NOT require a plumbing permit. If the project entails such modifications, then the project requires submitting plans through Standard Plan Review — see "How to Apply".

You can check with a City inspector to see if your graywater project requires a permit. Email: InfoInspector@sanjoseca.gov or leave a voicemail at 408-535-7641.

Resources & Rebates

• Santa Clara Valley Water District: Graywater Rebate
    
• California Plumbing Code, Gray Water Regulations: Section 1503.0 - Gray Water Systems (Under Alternate Water Systems for Nonpotable Applications)
  
  
• Guide for Graywater-Compatible Cleaning Products

See Repipe & Water Service Projects.

• Go to SJPermits.org.
• Use the Application Wizard to be guided to the correct process and permit.
• You may secure multiple permits, if needed, with one application.
• SJPermits presents the fee and enables online payment; for more info, see Building Fees.
• After payment, you will be able to download the Permit Card.
• For help, first see Help for SJPermits. If you still need assistance, use Submit a Help Ticket.

PREPARE THE PERMIT APPLICATION PACKAGE   

Forms may require digital signatures. See Digital Forms & Signatures for help.   

REQUIRED

> Building Permit Application - See instructions.  

> Submittal Checklist - Select the appropriate checklist below. It also outlines relevant forms and plans to include in the permit application package.  
Single-Family & Duplex Projects Submittal Checklist  
Multifamily Projects Submittal Checklist 
Commercial & Industrial Projects Submittal Checklist

> Project Plans –  Use the appropriate plan instructions to create your project plans:
Single-Family & Duplex Projects - Plan Set Instructions
Plan Review Submittal Package - Commercial, Industrial, Multifamily

TO APPLY

This service uses online platforms. You will first apply at SJPermits and then upload documents through SJePlans. A City plan reviewer will review the plans and send comments to the ePlan Applicant through SJePlans. After the plans are approved and final fees are paid, then the building permit will be issued. Follow these instructions:

* Standard Plan Review Service *

We look forward to serving you.