Do you need a permit for a bathroom remodel in Los Angeles?

Do you need a permit for a bathroom remodel in Los Angeles?

Yes, in most cases. In the City of Los Angeles a bathroom remodel needs a permit when it touches plumbing, electrical or structure. With no structural changes, it can use an LADBS Express Permit with no plan check.1 Moving walls or adding fixtures through existing walls means a permit from a Construction Services Center, with plan check at the counter.3

What counts as work that needs no permit?

Painting is exempt, and very small work can be exempt too under the city code, unless the work affects the structure or public safety.2 Most bathroom remodels go past that: LADBS's e-permit lists cabinets, flooring, wall finishes, tile, counters and plumbing or electrical fixtures as work it permits,3 and a plumbing permit is required for any modification of drain, waste, vent or water piping.4 If you are unsure, ask LADBS at 311.3

Step 1. Which building department covers your address?

Check the address in ZIMAS, the City Planning lookup. If the property is not in the City of Los Angeles, it falls under another department, such as LA County Building and Safety for unincorporated areas, or a city like Burbank or Glendale that runs its own.56 Tarzana addresses are in the City of Los Angeles, so LADBS applies;13 check any other Valley address in ZIMAS first. The steps below are for the City of Los Angeles.

What if my home is in unincorporated LA County or a contract city?

LA County Building and Safety handles unincorporated areas and contract cities. Plan check is usually required there for remodels such as kitchen remodels and garage conversions,6 and the County's own answer on bathroom and kitchen remodels is that permits are required for the structural, plumbing, electrical or mechanical work involved.14 Ask the County office that serves your address which steps apply.

Step 2. Which permit path fits the work?

If you are replacing cabinets, flooring, wall finishes, tile, counters and plumbing or electrical fixtures in the same places, LADBS can issue a combined e-permit.3 If you change walls or openings, or run new plumbing or electrical fixtures into existing walls, the permits are issued at an LADBS Construction Services Center, and wall changes need a plan check at the counter.3 Express Permits can be issued online or by appointment at an LADBS counter.1

Step 3. What plans does a layout change need?

Two sets of floor plans drawn at 1/4 inch to 1 foot: one of the existing bathroom and one of the proposed bathroom, each showing the rooms next to it.3

Step 4. How does plan check work?

For small and medium projects, LADBS says counter plan check is reviewed the same day, in about 45 to 60 minutes. It is offered at the Metro, Van Nuys, West LA, South LA and San Pedro offices.7 A project that needs a longer review is taken in and reviewed in turn, and the time varies.6

Step 5. What does the contractor submit?

For a building permit LADBS asks the contractor for the license number and classification, workers' compensation insurance information, the City of Los Angeles business tax registration certificate, and a permitted construction waste hauler.5 LADBS also asks all contractors to file a subcontractor form for any subcontractors on the project.5 This is part of why we pull the permit for you.

Step 6. Who pays and when is the permit issued?

After plan approval LADBS emails the fee information. Once the fees are paid, the permit is issued and construction can begin.5

Step 7. What does the inspector check?

For a bathroom remodel, LADBS lists these among the rules:3

• Shower floors and walls need a smooth, hard, non-absorbent surface at least 70 inches above the drain inlet.
• Glass in shower and tub enclosures must be fully tempered or laminated safety glass, or approved plastic.
• New toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush and need a clear space at least 30 inches wide, with at least 24 inches in front.

Step 8. How do inspections work?

In most cases one inspection is required when the remodel is complete, and the inspector gives you the signature card at that visit.3 Larger jobs can have partial inspections, and each phase has to pass before the next begins.5 Ask your inspector which apply to your permit; LADBS says to call 311.3 LADBS asks that requests be made one business day ahead, through the Automated Inspection Request System or the call center.3

Step 9. What is the final step?

When the work is complete, request the Final inspection (AIRS code 335) and keep your permit records.35

What happens if I remodel my bathroom without a permit?

If work starts without a required permit, LADBS investigates before it issues the permit and charges an investigation fee in addition to the normal permit fee.8 You still have to get the permit.

Do I have to pull permits to remodel restrooms in California?

Permits come from your city or county, not the state. In Los Angeles that is LADBS. Any city or county that requires a permit also requires a signed statement from a licensed contractor with the license number, or a stated exemption for an owner-builder.9

Do you need a permit to convert a bathtub to a shower?

Usually, yes, because the drain and water lines change. LADBS requires a plumbing permit for any installation or modification of drain, waste, vent and water piping.4 Replacing a plumbing fixture in place can go through an Express Permit.1 Moving the drain or valve through the wall means the permit is issued at a Construction Services Center.3

Can I renovate my bathroom on my own?

A homeowner can pull a permit as an owner-builder, and LADBS asks for an Owner-Builder Declaration.5 The owner then takes on full responsibility for the project, the inspections, and paying workers and suppliers.10 If you hire a contractor, check the license first.11

Written by Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., a general contractor in Tarzana with over 30 years of combined experience. CSLB #1003187.

Next step

To talk about your bathroom permit, call (818) 610-9852 or send a message through the contact form on our website. We will tell you which permit path applies to your layout. Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., CSLB #1003187.

Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc. | CSLB #1003187 18375 Ventura Blvd Ste 378, Tarzana, CA 91356 (818) 610-9852

Sources (every URL below was opened and read on 2026-10-27)

1. LADBS Information Bulletin P/GI 2026-003, Express Permits (No Plan Check Required), effective Jan 1, 2026, revised Jun 10, 2026 (Building item 2: kitchen/bathroom remodel, no structural changes; Plumbing items 2 and 3; Electrical item 2). https://dbs.lacity.gov/sites/default/files/efs/forms/pc17/ib-p-gi-2020-003-express-permits_rev-5-28-2024.pdf
2. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 91.106, Permits (91.106.2 work exempt from a permit, including painting and papering and very small work below a value threshold; the section was amended by Ord. 188,797, effective 12/31/2025; 91.106.3.3.2 structural design must be signed or stamped by a California-licensed engineer or design professional). https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-172464
3. PermitLA (LADBS), Bathroom Remodel/Repair (e-permit limits, shower and toilet rules, inspections, AIRS code 335 Final). https://www.permitla.org/building/bathroom_remodel_repair_detail.html
4. LADBS, Plumbing Permits (permit required for any installation or modification of drainage, waste, vent, gas and water piping). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plumbing-permits
5. LADBS, Homeowner Step-By-Step (ZIMAS check, Express Permit vs. Plan Check, counter plan check types, inspections, final). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/homeowner-step-by-step
6. LA County Building and Safety, Building Plan Check (unincorporated areas and contract cities). https://dpw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/plancheck/building
7. LADBS, Counter Plan Check (same-day review, about 45 to 60 minutes; Van Nuys office listed). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plan-check-permit/counter-plan-check
8. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 98.0402, Investigation Fee for work started without a permit. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-189769
9. CSLB, Building Official Information Guide (owner-builder exemption; contractor license statement required for permits). https://cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/FAQs/Building_Official_Information_Guide.aspx
10. CSLB, Owner-Builder Responsibilities. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/Know_Risks_Of_Owner_-Builder/The_Responsibilities_Of_An_Owner-_Builder.aspx
11. CSLB, Check a License. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx
12. CSLB, Homeowner Checklists (permits in the contract, permit fees, payment schedule, changes in writing). https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/hire_a_contractor/Home_Improvement_Contracts/Homeowner_Checklists.aspx
13. City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, City Council District 3 (lists Tarzana and Woodland Hills among the district's neighborhoods; the council district is a City of Los Angeles district). https://culture.lacity.gov/council-districts-directory/city-council-district-3
14. LA County Public Works, FAQ: "Do I need a permit to remodel my bathroom and kitchen?" (structural, plumbing, electrical or mechanical work in a remodel needs permits for each). https://pw.lacounty.gov/general/faq/index.cfm?Action=getAnswers&FaqID=JSNNPz1STSwgCg%3D%3D&Theme=