What does Chandler City Code 29-4 change in the International Plumbing Code?

Section 29-4 adopts the IPC "with the additions, insertions, deletions, and changes set forth herein." Then it explains what other code references mean: "Whenever the code refers to publications of the International Code Council, which have been adopted by the City, such references shall be to the version of the publications as amended by the City." So when the IPC points to the building code or another model code, the reader follows Chandler's amended version of that book. The rest of 29-4 is four numbered items:

• 29-4.1 and 29-4.2, administration. The section deletes Chapter 1, "Scope and Administration." It then says Chapter 1 is "amended to comply with the provisions along with the amendments as described in the Chapter 1 Scope and Administration of the 2024 International Building Code." Our reading: permits, inspections and appeals for plumbing follow the building code's Chapter 1, and Chandler's own changes to that chapter sit in 29-2.
• 29-4.3, drinking fountains. Chandler replaces the second sentence of IPC 410.4 with this: "In all other occupancies where drinking fountains are required, water dispensers connected to the potable water system shall be permitted to be substituted for the first required fountain and any water dispenser shall be permitted to be substituted for not more than 50 percent of the required number of drinking fountains."
• 29-4.4, grease interceptors. Chandler replaces the first sentence of IPC 1003.3.7 with a sizing chart based on drainage fixture units, from 750 gallons at 0 to 21 units up to 3,000 gallons at 308 to 342. Above that, the chart footnote says such establishments "shall be designed by a professional engineer, registered in the State of Arizona." The full chart is on the interceptor sizing page.

Section 29-4 lists no IPC appendix. Mesa's 4-5-1 and Glendale's code both name theirs, so do not assume an appendix table from another city's plans applies here.

• Adopted by reference: the city council adopts a published book by name instead of retyping it. The IPC text is not in Chandler's code, only the changes are.
• Amendment: a change the city makes to a section of the model book. Here there are two technical ones.
• DFU (drainage fixture unit): the number the chart uses to size an interceptor. Section 29-4 does not define it, so the chart's own row headings are the only guide in this section.
• Building official: Chandler designates "The City Development Services Department Building Official" for the codes in Chapter 29 (29-1.2).

It covers plumbing work inside Chandler city limits that is reviewed under the IPC. Chandler adopts the International Residential Code separately in 29-6, and that article carries its own amendments, including like-for-like water heater exemptions in 29-6.7. It does not cover unincorporated county land or neighboring cities, which adopted their own editions.

One rule of order matters: 29-1.1 says "In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Article I and the provisions set forth in, or codes as amended in Articles II through X of this Chapter 29, the provisions of this Article I shall be controlling." Where the two disagree, Article I (enforcement) controls.

A restaurant buildout in Chandler. The designer arrives with an interceptor size from another city's plans. Chandler's chart in 29-4.4 is keyed to fixture units, so the size gets recalculated from the fixture count and the chart's rows.

A tenant improvement with a break room. The plans show dispensers where drinking fountains are required. The number the reviewer checks against is the one in 29-4.3: any water dispenser may stand in for not more than 50 percent of the required fountains.

A plumber quoting from the model book. The IPC's Chapter 1 says one thing about permits and inspections, but Chandler deleted it. The permit rules come from the building code chapter, and the fee comes from a city resolution.

Where the answer flips: a water heater swap. Under 29-2.11 the plumbing exemption list covers an electric heater of equal or lesser amperage in the same location for a Group R-3 occupancy. The house version of that exemption is a separate list in 29-6.7. Check which article your plans cite before you decide.

1. 1Confirm which article your plans cite: the IPC under 29-4, or the residential code under 29-6.
2. 2For any kitchen, count fixture units and read the 29-4.4 chart before choosing an interceptor size.
3. 3For permits, inspections and fees, use the building code's Chapter 1 and 29-2. Chandler Development Services is at 215 E Buffalo St., Chandler, AZ 85225, phone 480-782-3000. Appointments can be scheduled by calling that number or online.
4. 4Ask the plan reviewer which appendices apply, since 29-4 names none.
5. 5Keep the amended chart or 410.4 language in your plan notes so the reviewer sees the same book you used.

• Myth: Chandler has a big local plumbing amendment list. Section 29-4 makes two technical amendments and one administrative change. Mesa's 4-5-2 and Glendale's 9-21 each run through many more IPC sections.
• Myth: Chapter 1 of the IPC tells me how to permit. In Chandler, 29-4.1 deletes Chapter 1 in its entirety.
• Myth: the grease chart covers every restaurant. The footnote sends establishments above 342 fixture units to an engineer.
• Myth: the penalty is only a fine. Under 29-1.3, a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the building official can issue a stop work order.

Section 29-1.3(B)(1) says violators "shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) or twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) if a legal entity." A stop work order is also possible, because "the building official is authorized to issue a stop work order."

This page describes Chandler's published rules as of 2026-09-29; fee amounts and forms come from the city, not this page.