Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel in the San Fernando Valley?

In almost every case. For a home in a City of Los Angeles neighborhood, a same-layout remodel with no structural changes can use an LADBS Express Permit, and wall changes or new fixtures through existing walls go through plan check.

Where do I get a bathroom remodel permit in the San Fernando Valley?

For City of Los Angeles addresses, online as an Express Permit when eligible, or at a LADBS center such as the Development Services Center at 6262 Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys.

Is every Valley address in the City of Los Angeles?

No. Check your address in ZIMAS. If it is not found, another department may issue the permit.

How do I check a contractor's license?

On the CSLB Check a License page. Ours is 1003187.

Bathroom remodeling in the San Fernando Valley: permits, steps and questions to ask

By Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc. · Published November 9, 2026

Finished bathroom with pale green subway tile, a tub with a sliding glass shower door, a recessed tiled niche and a white toilet, completed by Home Pro Green Remodeling

What does a bathroom remodel in the San Fernando Valley need?

A bathroom remodel in the San Fernando Valley needs a permit in almost every case, and for a home in a Los Angeles neighborhood such as Tarzana, Encino, Woodland Hills or Sherman Oaks, the permit comes from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), which has a Development Services Center at 6262 Van Nuys Blvd, 2nd Floor, Room 251, in Van Nuys.1 2 3 4 Many same-layout remodels can use an Express Permit with no plan check.8

Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc. is based in Tarzana and serves the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles. This page walks through the permit steps for a Valley bathroom, so you can compare any bid against them.

Step 1. Is your Valley address in the City of Los Angeles?

Enter your address in ZIMAS, the City Planning lookup. LADBS says that if a property cannot be found there, it may be outside the City of Los Angeles and need another department.5 City Planning lists Tarzana and Encino in one community plan area, Woodland Hills with Canoga Park, Winnetka and West Hills in another, and Sherman Oaks with Studio City and Toluca Lake in a third.1 2 3 LA County also offers a service locator that shows which department serves an address.6

Step 2. Can your bathroom remodel use an Express Permit?

Often, yes. LADBS lists a kitchen or bathroom remodel for residential buildings with no structural changes among the work that can be issued as an Express Permit, with no plan check.8 The combined e-permit covers repairing or replacing cabinets, flooring, wall finishes, tile, counters, and plumbing and electrical fixtures. It does not cover changes to walls or openings, or new plumbing or electrical fixtures going into existing walls.7 Express Permits can be issued online or at a LADBS counter by appointment.5

Step 3. What if you are moving a wall or adding a fixture?

Then the permit is issued in person. LADBS says permits for wall or opening changes and for new fixtures through existing walls are issued at a LADBS Construction Services Center, and a wall or opening change needs a plan check at the public counter.7 Two sets of plans are required: a floor plan at 1/4 inch to 1 foot showing the existing bathroom and each room next to it, and a second showing the proposed layout.7 Changing drain, waste, vent or water piping needs a plumbing permit.11

Where do Valley homeowners go for bathroom plan check?

The Van Nuys center lists Express Permit, Counter Plan Check, Plan Submittal, Regular Plan Check and Inspection among its services.4 LADBS says counter plan check reviews small and medium projects in about 45 to 60 minutes, and lists an alteration to a single family dwelling or duplex among its project types.9 Larger projects go through Regular Plan Check, which LADBS says is returned "within weeks depending on workload."10

What does the city require inside a Valley bathroom?

Shower floors and walls need a smooth, hard, non-absorbent surface at least 70 inches above the drain inlet.7
Glass in shower and tub enclosures must be fully tempered or laminated safety glass, or approved plastic.7
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.7

How is a bathroom remodel inspected?

In most cases one inspection is required when the work is complete. You schedule it through the LADBS automated system or the call center at 311, and the final inspection code for a bathroom is 335.7

How do you check a bathroom remodeler's license?

California requires contractors to be licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), and you can check a license online or by calling CSLB.5 Use the CSLB Check a License page.12 Ours is 1003187. Before you sign, make sure the contract says who pulls the permit. We pull the permits.

Where can you read about bathroom cost and timing?

Our posts on bathroom remodel cost in Los Angeles and how long a bathroom remodel takes in Los Angeles give published Los Angeles ranges, each attributed to its source. They are not Home Pro prices or schedules. A visit is the way to get a written scope for your bathroom.

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

Next step

Call (213) 770-6727 or use the contact form to talk about your kitchen or bathroom remodel. We will tell you which permit path applies to your bathroom. Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., CSLB #1003187.

Sources (all pages opened and read on 2026-11-09)

City of Los Angeles Planning, Encino - Tarzana Community Plan (plan area includes the neighborhoods of Encino and Tarzana). https://planning.lacity.gov/plans-policies/community-plan-area/encino-tarzana
City of Los Angeles Planning, Canoga Park - Winnetka - Woodland Hills - West Hills Community Plan (plan area includes Woodland Hills). https://planning.lacity.gov/plans-policies/community-plan-area/canoga-park-winnetka-woodland-hills-west-hills-community-plan
City of Los Angeles Planning, Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass Community Plan (plan area includes Sherman Oaks). https://planning.lacity.gov/plans-policies/community-plan-area/sherman-oaks-studio-city-toluca-lake-cahuenga-pass
LADBS, Van Nuys Development Services Center (address and services). https://dbs.lacity.gov/our-organization/locations-offices/van-nuys
LADBS, Homeowner Step-By-Step (ZIMAS check, LA County service locator, Express Permits, plan check, inspections). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/homeowner-step-by-step
LA County Public Works, Service Locator (find which department serves an address). https://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/servicelocator/
PermitLA (LADBS), Bathroom remodel and repair (combined e-permit scope, plans, shower and toilet requirements, inspections). https://www.permitla.org/building/bathroom_remodel_repair_detail.html
LADBS Information Bulletin P/GI 2026-003, Express Permits (No Plan Check Required), effective Jan 1, 2026, revised Jun 10, 2026. https://dbs.lacity.gov/sites/default/files/efs/forms/pc17/ib-p-gi-2020-003-express-permits_rev-5-28-2024.pdf
LADBS, Counter Plan Check (review in about 45 to 60 minutes, project types, offices). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plan-check-permit/counter-plan-check
LADBS, Regular Plan Check (plans returned within weeks depending on workload, offices). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plan-check-permit/regular-plan-check
LADBS, Plumbing Permits (permit for any installation or change of drain, waste, vent, gas and water piping). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plumbing-permits
CSLB, Check a License. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx