Plain-English Reference

California Plumbing Rules

A plain-English guide to the California plumbing laws and permit rules that affect Sonoma and Marin County homeowners — from earthquake strapping to lead-free pipe, and how to verify a contractor's license.

Water Heater Earthquake Strapping

California Health and Safety Code Section 19211

California requires water heaters to be braced, anchored, or strapped to resist falling or moving during an earthquake. An unstrapped water heater can tip over in a quake, rupture its gas and water lines, and cause flooding, gas leaks, or fire. If your water heater is not strapped — or you are not sure — Dusty can install the required strapping during a service call. This applies to homes throughout Sonoma and Marin County, where seismic risk is a fact of life.

Water Heater Repair & Replacement 30-Second Water Heater Check

Pre-1994 Water-Conserving Fixture Law

California Civil Code Sections 1101.1 to 1101.8

Homes built on or before January 1, 1994 must have noncompliant plumbing fixtures replaced with water-conserving ones, and sellers must disclose noncompliant fixtures. A fixture is considered noncompliant if it is:

A toilet using more than 1.6 gallons per flush
A urinal using more than 1 gallon per flush
A showerhead flowing more than 2.5 gallons per minute
An interior faucet flowing more than 2.2 gallons per minute

The replacement and disclosure requirements are triggered by a sale or a remodel with a permit. Dusty can identify which fixtures in your Sonoma or Marin County home are noncompliant and replace them with water-conserving equivalents.

Plumbing Repair Pre-1994 Fixture Checker

Lead-Free Plumbing Law

California AB 1953, effective January 1, 2010

Since January 1, 2010, California law requires pipes, fittings, and fixtures that carry drinking water to be lead-free, limited to a weighted average of 0.25% lead. This means any new installation or repipe — including a whole-house repipe — uses compliant materials. If your home still has older plumbing that predates this law, a repipe brings your supply lines up to the current standard.

Whole-House Repiping

The 2027 Bay Area Gas Water Heater Rule

Bay Area Air District

Starting January 1, 2027, a Bay Area Air District rule requires new residential water heaters installed in its area to be zero NOx. Standard gas-fired tank water heaters don't meet that standard, so after that date replacements will generally be heat pump or other electric models. Your existing gas water heater can keep running. The rule applies to new installs. The Bay Area Air District covers all of Marin County and southern Sonoma County. Not every Sonoma County address falls inside it, so ask us about yours. If your gas tank water heater is over 10 years old, Dusty recommends replacing it before 2027 so you still have the choice.

Water Heater Repair & Replacement 30-Second Water Heater Check

Water Heater Replacements Usually Require a Permit

In most California jurisdictions, replacing a water heater requires a permit from the local building department. The permit ensures the new unit is installed safely, with proper earthquake strapping, temperature and pressure relief valving, and correct venting. Dusty handles the permit process and can explain how it works for your specific address.

Who Issues Plumbing Permits

Plumbing permits are issued by the building department of the city where the property is located. If your property is in an unincorporated area, the county issues the permit:

Each city's building department for properties inside city limits
Permit Sonoma for unincorporated Sonoma County
Marin County Community Development Agency for unincorporated Marin County

How to Check a Contractor's License

Any plumber you hire in California should hold a valid contractor license. You can verify any license on the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website. Cascade Plumbing Solutions is licensed under CA Lic #1159362 — click the number to look it up on the CSLB site.

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