Pipe-Burial-DepthsCity of Cypress
Community Development: Building Division
5275 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 229-6730
NOTES
These burial depths apply‚ outside of buildings within private property‚ subject to the following provisions:
1. Not applicable to utility‚ companies gas and electric lines.
2. May be laid in the same trench without horizontal separation except as noted for sewer and water lines.
3. Does not apply to automatic sprinkler system lines beyond control valves.
SYMBOLS:
ELECTRIC GAS
METAL(UNCOATED)
METAL(COATED)
6"
6"
12"
18"
24"
Grade
RIGID NONMETALLICCONDUIT
RIGID METALLICCONDUIT
DIRECT BURIAL
METAL
NON-METALLIC
NON-METALLIC
NON-METALLIC(APPROVED INSIDE BLDG.)
NON-METALLIC(NOT APPROVED INSIDE BLDG.)
METAL(ABOVE GROUND)
METAL(BELOW GRADE)
SEWER WATER
Conduit
Pipe
Alternate Location
Direct Burial Cable
CEC 2019 Table 300.5
Metal - Rigid conduit (coated) 6" minimum.
Nonmetallic - Rigid conduit 18" minimum.
Exception - Direct burial cable 24" minimum. (CEC Art.
300.5 Exceptions apply: i.e., 6" less depth for 2" concrete
pad over cable. Residential branch circuits rated 120 Volts
or less with GFCI protection and maximum overcurrent
protection of 20 amperes maybe at 12”.
CPC 2019 Sec. 1210.1.1
Metal -(a) 6" above ground (uncoated and unwrapped).(b) 12" below ground (factory coated or machine
wrapped). Minimum cover shall be increased to
18" if external damage to the pipe from external
sources is likely to result
Nonmetallic - (PVC or PE) - 18" min.
Note: Require approved plastic to metal
transition fittings to rise above ground. Also, 18
GA. copper tracer wire required for non-metallic
CPC 2019 Sec. 718.3 & 720
Metal -
No burial requirement (recommended 12" to
protect from mechanical damage and freezing).
Nonmetallic (a) Pipe approved inside building - 12"
minimum(b) Pipe approved inside building - sewer to be
12" below water line with water pipe 12" to one
side on a solid shelf - total depth 24", and 12"
apart horizontally minimum.
CPC 2019 Sec. 609.1 & 720
Metal -
At or above grade, or 12" minimum below
grade.
Nonmetallic -
12" minimum (plastic).
PIPE BURIAL DEPTHS