Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $300–$1,000 Total includes building base fee plus trade permits for plumbing and electrical fixtures.
Fee Method Project-based
Apply Online Apply at San Francisco Department of Building Inspection →

What's Required in San Francisco

  • Plumbing permit required for moving or replacing tubs, showers, and toilets
  • Electrical permit required for new exhaust fans, lighting, or GFCI outlets
  • Shower pan liners must be flood-tested and inspected before tile is applied
  • Waterproofing and structural support mandatory for walk-in shower conversions
  • Mechanical permit required for adding or relocating an exhaust fan
  • Tempered glass required for windows within 60 inches of a tub or shower drain

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Bathroom in San Francisco

It depends on what you’re changing. A cosmetic bathroom refresh in San Francisco — new paint, a vanity or toilet swapped in the same spot, re-tiling, or replacing a faucet — usually doesn’t need a building permit. You cross into permit territory once you move or add plumbing or electrical, relocate fixtures, change the layout, remove or move a wall, or add square footage. Because remodels often bundle plumbing and electrical work, many projects need those trade permits even when the building permit is borderline. Check the specifics with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection; the requirements above outline what San Francisco treats as permit-worthy.

What Bathroom Work Needs a Permit in San Francisco

In San Francisco, the trigger is usually moving systems, not refreshing surfaces. Work that typically requires a permit: relocating or adding plumbing (moving a toilet, sink, or shower drain), adding a shower or tub where there wasn’t one, new or moved electrical circuits and outlets, removing or altering a wall, converting a half bath to a full bath, or turning another room into a bathroom. Like-for-like swaps in the same location — same toilet spot, same tub footprint — usually don’t. Even removing a tub can need a plumbing permit if the drain is capped or moved, so confirm with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection before you start.

How to Get a Bathroom Remodel Permit in San Francisco

1

Step 1: Application Submittal

Submit a 'Bathroom Remodel' permit request through the PermitSF portal.

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Step 2: Instant Trade Permits

Licensed contractors can obtain certified plumbing/electrical permits immediately online.

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Step 3: Fee Payment

Pay the invoiced fees online based on the count of fixtures and valuation.

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Step 4: Rough Inspections

Schedule shower pan and trade rough-in inspections via the DBI automated line.

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Step 5: Final Review

Schedule a final inspection once the project is finished to close the permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, any changes to plumbing fixtures or electrical wiring require a permit.
Typically between $300 and $1,000 depending on the scope of utility work.
Yes, fixture replacement requires a plumbing permit per the SF Building Code.
Yes — relocating a toilet, sink, or shower drain, or adding a new fixture, generally requires a plumbing permit in San Francisco, even inside a cosmetic-looking remodel. Replacing a fixture in the same spot usually doesn’t. Check with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection.