Do I need a permit to replace a toilet in Los Angeles?

Yes. Replacing plumbing fixtures is an Express Permit.

Do I need plans for a kitchen remodel?

Not when the layout stays. Wall or opening changes need floor plans and plan check.

How do I check a contractor's license?

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

What kitchen and bathroom work needs a permit in Los Angeles?

Q: What remodeling work requires a permit in Los Angeles?

Almost all kitchen and bathroom work, including fixture replacement, plumbing, gas, electrical and wall changes. Painting and papering are exempt.

By Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc. · Published November 4, 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 remodeling work requires a permit in Los Angeles?

In the City of Los Angeles, almost all kitchen and bathroom remodeling work needs a permit, including replacing fixtures, changing plumbing, gas or wiring, and moving walls. The Los Angeles Municipal Code exempts painting and papering, and very small work below a value threshold that does not touch the structure or safety of the building.1 Much of the rest can be issued as an Express Permit with no plan check.2

This page is for addresses inside the City of Los Angeles. Check yours in ZIMAS first. If it is outside the city, LA County Building and Safety or your own city issues the permit.3 4

Which kitchen and bathroom jobs need a permit?

Painting and wallpaper. No. Exempt.1
Replacing cabinets, counters, tile, flooring and fixtures in the same layout. Yes. Combined e-permit, as long as no walls or openings change and no new fixtures go into existing walls.5 6
Kitchen or bathroom remodel with no structural changes. Yes. Express Permit, no plan check.2
Replacing a toilet, sink, tub or other plumbing fixture. Yes. Express plumbing permit.2
Adding a plumbing fixture. Yes. Express plumbing permit; new fixtures through existing walls are issued at a Construction Services Center.2 5
Moving or changing drain, vent or water piping. Yes. Plumbing permit.7
Replacing a water heater. Yes. Express plumbing permit.2
New or moved gas line for a range. Yes, except piping under 6 feet between an existing outlet and the appliance in the same room. Express up to 10 outlets; plan check above that.8 2 7
New outlets or rewiring on existing circuits. Yes. Express electrical permit.2
Other electrical work in an existing house, under 600 volts and up to 400 amps. Yes. Express electrical permit.2
A new exhaust fan. Yes. Express mechanical permit for exhaust fans of 2,000 cfm or less.2
Replacing drywall with no new walls (house or duplex). Yes. Express building permit.2
Moving or removing a wall, or a new door or window opening. Yes. Plan check at a Construction Services Center with existing and proposed floor plans; structural design signed by a licensed engineer or other licensed design professional.5 1

Do you need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets or countertops in Los Angeles?

LADBS lists cabinets and counters in its combined e-permit for kitchens, which covers replacing cabinets, flooring, wall finishes, tile, counters and plumbing or electrical fixtures when no walls or openings change.5 If you are only replacing a few cabinet doors or hardware, ask LADBS at 311 whether a permit applies to your job. More in our kitchen remodel permit guide.

Do you need a permit to replace a toilet, sink or tub?

Yes. Replacing plumbing fixtures is on the LADBS Express Permit list, and so is adding fixtures.2 LADBS requires a permit for any installation or change of drain, waste, vent, gas or water piping.7 More in our bathroom remodel permit guide.

Do you need a permit to turn a tub into a walk-in shower?

Usually yes, because the drain and water lines change, and LADBS requires a permit for any change to that piping.7 Moving the drain or valve through the wall means the permit is issued at a Construction Services Center.6 See our guide to walk-in shower conversions in Los Angeles.

Do you need a permit to move a gas line or add a gas range?

Yes, in almost every case. LADBS requires a permit for gas piping, except piping under 6 feet long between an existing outlet and an appliance in the same room.8 Low-pressure gas piping with up to 10 outlets can be an Express Permit.2

Do you need a permit for new outlets or circuits?

Yes. Rewiring or adding outlets on existing circuits is an Express electrical permit, and so is other electrical work under 600 volts and up to 400 amps in an existing house.2

Do you need a permit to remove a wall?

Yes. Wall and opening changes need plan check at a LADBS Construction Services Center, with existing and proposed floor plans,5 and structural design must be signed by a licensed engineer or other licensed design professional.1 LADBS counter plan check reviews smaller projects the same day, in about 45 to 60 minutes.9

What remodeling work does not need a permit?

Painting and papering, and very small work below a value threshold that is not structural and does not affect safety.1 If you are not sure, ask LADBS at 311 before work starts.5

Who pulls the permit?

The contractor or the owner. When a contractor pulls it, LADBS asks for the contractor's license number and classification, workers' compensation information and City business tax registration. An owner who pulls the permit signs an owner-builder declaration.3 We pull the permits, and the contract should name who does.

How do inspections work?

In most cases a kitchen remodel needs one inspection when the work is complete. Inspections can be booked for the next business day through the LADBS automated system or the call center at 311.5 Larger projects may need inspections at different stages.3

What happens if you remodel 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.10 You still have to get the permit.

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 kitchen or bathroom, call (213) 770-6727 or send a message through the contact form on our website. We will tell you which permit path applies to your work. Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., CSLB #1003187.

Sources (pages 1 to 9 and 11 were opened and read on 2026-11-02; page 10 was read on 2026-10-27 for the published kitchen permit post)

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, amended by Ord. 188,797, effective Dec 31, 2025; 91.106.3.3.2 structural design signed or stamped by a licensed engineer or design professional). https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-172464
LADBS Information Bulletin P/GI 2026-003, Express Permits (No Plan Check Required), effective Jan 1, 2026, revised Jun 10, 2026 (Building items 2 and 22; Plumbing items 2, 3, 9 and 10; Electrical items 1 and 2; HVAC item 11). https://dbs.lacity.gov/sites/default/files/efs/forms/pc17/ib-p-gi-2020-003-express-permits_rev-5-28-2024.pdf
LADBS, Homeowner Step-By-Step (ZIMAS, LA County locator, contractor documents, owner-builder declaration, inspections). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/homeowner-step-by-step
LA County Building and Safety, Building Plan Check (unincorporated areas and contract cities). https://dpw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/plancheck/building
PermitLA (LADBS), Kitchen remodel (combined e-permit scope; wall and opening changes; plans; inspections). https://www.permitla.org/building/kitchen_remodel_detail.html
PermitLA (LADBS), Bathroom remodel and repair. https://www.permitla.org/building/bathroom_remodel_repair_detail.html
LADBS, Plumbing Permits (permit for any installation or change of drain, waste, vent, gas and water piping; plan check thresholds). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plumbing-permits
LADBS, gas piping permits (exception for piping under 6 feet between an existing outlet and an appliance in the same room). https://dbs.lacity.gov/node/2342
LADBS, Counter Plan Check (review at the counter in about 45 to 60 minutes). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plan-check-permit/counter-plan-check
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
CSLB, Check a License. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx