Not a government site. Always confirm with your local building department before you build. About us

Building Permit Requirements
Menu

Do you need a permit for a bathroom remodel?

Permits for bathroom remodels are set locally: the city or county building department decides, under the code it has adopted. Below are the official rules and fees we verified, in each department's own words.

Last checked

On this page
  1. What the model code exempts (IRC R105.2)
  2. What cities charge for a bathroom remodel permit
  3. Before you start
  4. Sources

What the model code exempts (IRC R105.2)

The International Residential Code (IRC) is a model code. It is law only where a state or city adopts it, usually with changes, so the wording below shows how the model reads in published government copies, not the rule where you live.

  • 6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.1 As published by Warner, NH (2015 IRC).

What cities charge for a bathroom remodel permit

Fee lines as each city’s schedule states them, never added up into a total; how permit fees work explains valuation formulas and minimums.

CityFeeAs the schedule states it
Jacksonville, FLAlterations (per $1,000 estimated cost) - BID permit feeBID Permit fee · $3.00 · Resource management fee · $0.652
Jacksonville, FLResidential plumbing fixture (incl. hot water tanks), eachincluding hot water tanks or boosters, and washing machines with sewer connection, for each roughing-in and fixture or plugged outlet (fee for new roughing-in includes fixture) · $11.002
Charlotte, NCNote a: projects under $100,000 valuation, renovation/alteration and upfit (per trade + per sq ft)$79.61 per trade (BEMP), plus $.12 per square foot for building trade and $.08 per square foot for each involved electrical, mechanical or plumbing trade.3
Indianapolis, INStructural Permit - Residential: Remodeling, alteration, or repair of Class 2 structures; no additionApplication $40; Review $150 (≤1,000 sqft) $25 per additional 500 sqft; Issuance $200 (≤1,000 sqft) $50 per additional 500 sqft4
Seattle, WAPlumbing/Backflow Permit (Public Health – Seattle & King County)$137 plus $27 per Fixture5
Nashville, TNPlumbing permit minimum feeMinimum fee (each permit) ... $75.006
Nashville, TNPlumbing: each fixture*Plumbing fixtures (each fixture) ... $11.006
Las Vegas, NVR-3 Single-Family Resid. - Remodel with MPE's (1,000 sf size basis)68 R-3 Single-Family Resid. - Remodel with MPE's 1,000 $162 $5237
Boston, MAPlumbing$20.00 Primary fee plus $5.00 each fixture.8
Detroit, MIPlumbing fixtures/appliances, eachPlumbing Fixtures, Plumbing Appliance, Plumbing Appurtenance, Plus Any Other Fixture, Drain, Water Connected Appliance or Appurtenance Not specifically Listed Each $449
Memphis, TNAlteration/repairALTERATION/REPAIR ($5.00/1,000 VALUATION) $50.00 MIN / $325.00 MAX10
Baltimore, MDAlterations and repairs, 1- and 2-family dwellings1. 1- and 2-family dwellings $0.30 per square foot or fraction of a square foot of affected gross floor area Minimum $5011
Baltimore, MDPlumbing fixturesInstall, replace, or reconstruct plumbing fixtures $5 each11
Milwaukee, WIAlterations, remodeling and repairsThe fee for all alterations, remodeling, repairs and repairing fire damage to all buildings, structures and equipment shall be computed at 1.6% of the cost of construction.12
Milwaukee, WIPlumbing: each fixture or appliancei. Installation and connection of each plumbing fixture or appliance: $20.12
Tucson, AZResidential - Level 1 Alteration5% of standard valuation (removal and replacement of existing materials and equipment, or fixtures)13
Tucson, AZResidential – Level 2 Alteration15% of standard valuation13
Fresno, CAResidential Remodelfirst 500 s.f. 227.99 489.8314
Sacramento, CABathroom Remodel Non-Structural (flat building permit fee)Bathroom Remodel Non-Structural $320 N/A15
Raleigh, NCAlterations and Repairs Plan Review FeeAlteration and Repairs Plans Review Fee 50.00% 55.00% % Of Calculated Building Permit16
Virginia Beach, VAResidential alterations$50.00 plus $5.00 per $1000 of construction value or fraction thereof17
Virginia Beach, VAPlumbing permit$50 plus $6 per fixture/drain18
Tulsa, OKResidential Fast-Track (interior remodel) program fee$500 plus applicable permit fees19
Arlington, TXResidential: Addition, Alteration, Remodel & RepairsAddition, Alteration, Remodel & Repairs* Based on square feet - Table 2; with a minimum charge of $325.0020

Before you start

Find your city’s bathroom remodel rule with the permit checker. What to check before you buy materials (city limits, limits in the rule, zoning and HOA rules) and the order of the steps are in how to get a building permit; what an exemption does not cover is in work exempt from a permit.

Sources

  1. Work Exempt from Permits, 2015 IRCTown of Warner, NHChecked November 7, 2026
  2. City Fees (Categorized by Departments)City of Jacksonville, City Fees page (Building Inspection Division - Section 320.409)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Mecklenburg County Government Fee Ordinance, Land Use and Environmental Services (revised July 1, 2026)Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners / Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA)Revised July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Fee Schedule (as of January 5, 2026) [XLSX]City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesEffective January 5, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Plumbing and Gas Piping Program fees (through 2026)Public Health – Seattle & King County (King County)Effective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Codes Fee Schedule (Building-Permit-Fee-Scheudle-2025.pdf)Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyPosted December 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  7. City of Las Vegas 2020 Building User Fees (Building & Fee Table)City of Las Vegas, Department of Community Development, Building & Safety DivisionEffective July 1, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Building Fees 5 15 23 (ISD fee schedule)City of Boston, Inspectional Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  9. City of Detroit BSEED Fee Schedule, Effective January 1, 2024, Modified 7/18/2025City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)Revised July 18, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  10. 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section FeesMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementPublished 2022Checked November 8, 2026
  11. Section 109. Fees (Building Code)City of Baltimore Law Library (Department of Legislative Reference)Checked November 7, 2026
  12. Milwaukee Code of Ordinances ch. 200, subchapter 5 (Fees)City of Milwaukee, Department of Neighborhood ServicesRevised November 8, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
  13. Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Adopted Year 1 Fee Schedule, FY27)City of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  14. City of Fresno Master Fee Schedule - Planning & Development Fees (effective 07/01/2026)City of Fresno, Planning and Development DepartmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  15. Building Division Fee Detail: Table A (valuation) and Table B.1 (flat fee building permits)City of Sacramento (Fees and Charges database, Community Development Department)Revised July 19, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  16. Development Fee Guide July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027City of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  17. Residential Building Permit FeesCity of Virginia Beach, Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections DivisionRevised July 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  18. Trades Permits | City of Virginia BeachCity of Virginia Beach, Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  19. Permit Center - City of TulsaCity of Tulsa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  20. City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective October 1, 2026 (Resolution No. 26-288)City of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026