Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $500–$1,000 Building remodel fee ($560) plus fixtures-based trade fees.
Fee Method Project-based
Apply Online Apply at City of Tampa Construction Services Division →

What's Required in Tampa

  • Required for replacing or moving plumbing fixtures (tubs, showers, toilets)
  • Electrical permit required for new lighting, fans, or GFCI outlets
  • Shower pan liners must be flood-tested and inspected before tiling
  • Mechanical permit required if adding or relocating an exhaust fan
  • Waterproofing systems must meet current 2026 Florida Building Code
  • Tempered glass mandatory for windows within 60 inches of tub/shower drains

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Bathroom in Tampa

It depends on what you’re changing. A cosmetic bathroom refresh in Tampa — 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 City of Tampa Construction Services Division; the requirements above outline what Tampa treats as permit-worthy.

What Bathroom Work Needs a Permit in Tampa

In Tampa, 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 City of Tampa Construction Services Division before you start.

How to Get a Bathroom Remodel Permit in Tampa

1

Step 1: Application

Submit a 'Residential Remodel' permit on Accela.

2

Step 2: Trade Sub-permits

Licensed trade contractors pull separate permits ($100 application fee each).

3

Step 3: Fee Payment

Pay the $560 building remodel fee online.

4

Step 4: Mid-Project Inspections

Schedule rough-in plumbing, electrical, and shower pan tests.

5

Step 5: Final Sign-off

Complete final trade and building inspections for permit closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, any fixture replacement or utility change requires building and trade permits.
Typically starts at $560 plus $100 per trade permit.
Yes, plumbing fixture replacement triggers trade permit requirements.
Yes — relocating a toilet, sink, or shower drain, or adding a new fixture, generally requires a plumbing permit in Tampa, even inside a cosmetic-looking remodel. Replacing a fixture in the same spot usually doesn’t. Check with the City of Tampa Construction Services Division.