§ 94.101

94.101.1. Title. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,719, Eff. 1/23/23.) This article shall be known as the "Los Angeles Plumbing Code", a portion of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, and wherever the word "Code" is used in this article, it shall mean the "Los Angeles Plumbing Code" and whenever "LAMC" is used, it shall mean the Los Angeles Municipal Code. Whenever the word "City" is used in this article, it shall mean "City of Los Angeles". Whenever the word "Department" is used in this article, it shall mean "Department of Building and Safety".

The Los Angeles Plumbing Code adopts by indicated reference portions of the 2022 California Plumbing Code (CPC) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR).

94.101.2. Scope. The provisions of this Code shall apply to the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to, use, or maintenance of plumbing systems within the City.

94.101.3. Purpose. The purpose of this Code is to safeguard health, life, property and public welfare by regulating the design, alteration, construction, installation, repair, and quality of materials for plumbing, fire sprinkler, rainwater piping, standpipe, subsurface drainage piping, swimming pool piping, reclaimed water piping, underground fire-protection piping, and graywater piping systems installed in the City.

94.101.4. Conflicts Between Codes. Where the requirements of this Code conflict with the requirements of the mechanical code, this Code shall prevail. In instances where the Code, applicable standards, or the manufacturer’s installation instructions conflict, the most restrictive requirement shall prevail. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall prevail.

94.101.5. Plans Required.

94.101.5.1. General. Before starting any work and at any time during the progress of any work regulated by this Code, the Department may require the submission of plans, specifications, drawings and other information it deems necessary. The issuance of a permit upon approved plans shall not prevent the Department from requiring the correction of errors in them and stopping work on construction based on these plans when in violation of this Code or of any other applicable ordinance or statute; or from revoking any approval when issued in error.

94.101.5.2. Signature. Plans and specifications shall bear the signature and registration or license number of an engineer, contractor or other person licensed in the appropriate classification by the State of California.

94.101.5.3. Risers and Isometrics. System riser or isometric diagrams shall be provided for all drainage, waste and vent, fuel gas, potable water, storm drain, rain water, sump pump, combination waste and vent and standpipe systems. Plans shall be suitable for use by office engineers and field inspectors.

94.101.5.4. Quality of Plans. Plans shall be legible, clear, of 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) per foot scale or larger, except risers and isometrics need not be to scale.

94.101.5.5. Stamped Plans on Job. The set of plans and specifications stamped and issued to the applicant by the Department shall be kept at the site of the construction or work and shall be available to an authorized representative of the Department. There shall be no deviation from the stamped or approved applications, plans or specifications without Department approval.

94.101.5.6. Types of Plans Required to be Submitted. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) Plans signed by a qualified submitter shall be filed with and approved by the Department before any work listed below is started:

1. Drainage systems.

a. Drainage and vent systems involving fixtures that discharge 217 or more fixture units.

b. Drainage pumps and ejectors.

2. Combination waste and vent systems.

3. Fuel gas piping with any of the following:

a. Systems having more than ten outlets.

b. Medium pressure gas systems.

c. High pressure gas systems.

d. Methane gas extraction systems.

4. Potable water piping with any of the following: (Amended by Ord. No. 188,739, Eff. 9/23/25.)

a. Systems requiring a 2-inch (50.80 mm) or larger supply;

b. Systems designed from the procedure in CPC Section 610.5;

c. Systems utilizing cross-linked polyethylene tubing (PEX) requiring a 2- inch (50.80 mm) or larger supply or when required by the conditions of approval of the City of Los Angeles Mechanical Testing Laboratory Research Report; and

d. Systems utilizing CPVC piping requiring a 2-inch (50.88 mm) or larger supply or when required by the conditions of approval of the City of Los Angeles Mechanical Testing Laboratory Research Report.

EXCEPTION: Plan Check is not required for existing systems that are added to or altered, with branch lines that serve fewer than 20 fixture units and are sized by CPC Table 610.4.

5. Rainwater piping systems with more than ten interconnected rainwater or overflow drains, or a rainwater pump.

6. Siphonic roof drainage systems.

7. Special water piping for alternative water source system installations.

8. Non-potable rainwater catchment systems where the water is collected from the footprint of building or is reused in the building as alternative water source for non-potable applications into the building.

9. Swimming pool circulating water systems.

EXCEPTION: Private swimming pools.

10. Fire Protection.

a. Class H. Standpipes.

b. Standpipes: Class I, II, III.

c. Fire pump systems.

d. Fire hydrant systems.

e. Hand hose systems connected to fire sprinkler piping.

f. Monitor nozzle systems.

g. Underground fire protection piping.

h. Fire sprinkler systems.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Raising or lowering of sprinklers due to change in ceiling height.

2. Replacing of sprinklers of the same type, orifice size and temperature rating.

3. Relocation of sprinklers in previously occupied buildings or tenant spaces, when using the same or larger pipe sizes and the same material.

94.101.6. Repairs and Alterations. In existing buildings or premises in which plumbing installations are to be altered, repaired, or renovated, deviations from this Code are permitted, provided such deviations are found to be necessary and are first approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

94.101.6.1. Building Sewers and Drains. Existing building sewers and building drains shall be permitted to be used in connection with new buildings or new plumbing and drainage work where they are found on examination and test to be in accordance with the requirements governing new work, and the proper Authority Having Jurisdiction shall notify the owner to make changes necessary to be in accordance with this Code. No building, or part thereof, shall be erected or placed over a part of a drainage system that is constructed of materials other than those approved elsewhere in the LAMC for use under or within a building.

94.101.6.2. Openings. Openings into a drainage or vent system, excepting those openings to which plumbing fixtures are properly connected or which constitute vent terminals, shall be permanently plugged or capped in an approved manner using the appropriate materials in accordance with this Code.

94.101.7. Maintenance. The plumbing and drainage system of a premises under the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe operating condition by the owner or the owner’s agent.

94.101.8. Existing Construction. No provision of this Code shall be deemed to require a change in a portion of a plumbing or drainage system, or other work regulated by this Code, in or on an existing building or lot where such work was installed and is maintained in accordance with law in effect prior to the effective date of this Code, except where a plumbing or drainage system or other work regulated by this Code is determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction to be in fact dangerous, unsafe, insanitary, or a nuisance and a menace to life, health, or property.

94.101.9. Additions, Alterations, or Repairs. Additions, alterations, repairs, and replacements of plumbing systems shall comply with the provisions for new systems except as otherwise provided in LAMC Subsection 94.101.11.

94.101.10. Appendices. The provisions in the appendices are intended to supplement the requirements of this Code and shall not be considered part of this Code unless formally adopted as such.

94.101.11. Application to Existing Plumbing System. Additions, alterations, or repairs shall be permitted to be made to a plumbing system without requiring the existing plumbing system to be in accordance with the requirements of this Code, provided the addition, alteration, or repair is in accordance with that required for a new plumbing system. Additions, alterations, or repairs shall not cause an existing system to become unsafe, insanitary, or overloaded.

alterations, or repairs shall be permitted to be made to a plumbing system without requiring the existing plumbing system to be in accordance with the requirements of this Code, provided the addition, alteration, or repair is in accordance with that required for a new plumbing system. Additions, alterations, or repairs shall not cause an existing system to become unsafe, insanitary, or overloaded.

94.101.11.1. Health and Safety. Where compliance with the provisions of this Code fails to eliminate or alleviate a nuisance, or other dangerous or insanitary condition that involves health or safety hazards, the owner or the owner’s agent shall install such additional plumbing and drainage facilities or shall make such repairs or alterations as ordered by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

94.101.11.2. Existing Installation. Plumbing system lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this Code shall be permitted to have their use, maintenance, or repair continued where the use, maintenance, or repair is in accordance with the original design and location, and no hazard to life, health, or property has been created by such plumbing system.

94.101.11.3. Changes in Building Occupancy. Plumbing systems that are a part of a building or structure undergoing a change in use or occupancy, as defined in Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC, shall be in accordance with the requirements of this Code that are applicable to the new use or occupancy.

94.101.11.4. Operating Condition. Plumbing systems, materials, and appurtenances, both existing and new, and parts thereof shall be maintained in operating condition. Devices or safeguards required by this Code shall be maintained in accordance with the code edition under which installed. The owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for maintenance of plumbing systems. To determine compliance with this subdivision, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to cause a plumbing system to be reinspected.

94.101.11.5. Moved Buildings. Plumbing systems that are part of buildings or structures moved into this jurisdiction shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Code for new installations, except as provided for in CBC Section 103.5.8.2.

94.101.11.6. Prohibited Acts.

94.101.11.6.1. No person shall add, alter, change, construct, install, locate, maintain, move, occupy, relocate, remove, renovate, repair, replace, or use any plumbing system, water-connected appliances, products or devices, fire sprinkler system, rainwater piping, standpipe, subsurface drainage piping, swimming pool piping, reclaimed water piping, underground fire protection piping, or graywater piping systems except as provided by this Code.

ge, construct, install, locate, maintain, move, occupy, relocate, remove, renovate, repair, replace, or use any plumbing system, water-connected appliances, products or devices, fire sprinkler system, rainwater piping, standpipe, subsurface drainage piping, swimming pool piping, reclaimed water piping, underground fire protection piping, or graywater piping systems except as provided by this Code.

94.101.11.6.2. No person shall use or maintain any private sewage disposal system on any lot or parcel of land, that has failed, is in an overflowing condition, or in the judgment of the Department is unsanitary or is a menace to life, health or property. If the private system fails, all drainage piping shall be connected to the public or private sewer when the lot or parcel of land abuts any public way or sewer easement in which a public or private sewer exists and is available.

94.101.11.6.3. No person shall alter, add to or relocate any private sewage- disposal system on any lot or parcel of land that abuts any public way or sewer easement in which a public sewer exists and is ready for use.

94.101.11.6.4. No person shall sell, offer for sale, display for sale, advertise for sale, loan, rent or lease, dispose of by way of gift or premium or otherwise for reuse or use, the following:

1. Any plumbing fixture, appliance, apparatus, equipment, device, material or domestic gas appliance that has not been approved as to its fitness and safety for its intended use or purpose.

EXCEPTION: The sale of used gas ranges and used gas ovens is not prohibited.

2. Any water-operated or water-using device, mechanism or equipment, the use of which may cause the pollution or contamination of the domestic water supply. Any such device, mechanism or equipment may be allowed when properly equipped with approved backflow protection.

94.101.11.7. Exemptions From Code. The provisions of this Code shall not apply to the following:

94.101.11.7.1. Public Sewers. Any sewer entirely within a public way or any private sewer installed under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles City Department of Public Works or the Los Angeles County Flood Control District as an incident to improvement of a public way when no portion of the private sewer extends more than 6 feet (1828.8 mm) into private property, as measured from the property line abutting the public way.

94.101.11.7.2. Street Water Mains. Any water main, water service or water meter of the Los Angeles City Department of Water and Power or other utility.

94.101.11.7.3. Street Gas Mains. Any street gas main or any gas service piping.

94.101.11.7.4. Refineries and Wells (Gas Piping). Fuel gas piping that is part of a refinery or gas well, provided piping for fuel gas used on the premises shall conform to the provisions of this Code.

94.101.11.7.5. Portable Gas Cooking Appliances. Any portable gas cooking appliance designed for outdoor use and installed outdoors.

94.101.11.7.6. Vehicles. Any work within an aircraft, railroad car, ship or other vehicle, which is not classified as a building or structure.

94.101.11.7.7. Manufactured Homes, Recreational Vehicles, Commercial Coaches, Special Purpose Commercial Coaches, Mobile Homes, Mobile Home Parks. Any work within any manufactured home, recreational vehicle, commercial coach, special purpose commercial coach, mobile home or any mobile home park, including accessory buildings, permanent buildings and on-site piping outside of buildings.