Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $250–$600 Combines building alteration fee ($159) and required plumbing/elec permits ($153+ each).
Fee Method Project-based
Apply Online Apply at Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services →

What's Required in Indianapolis

  • Plumbing permit required for moving or replacing tubs, showers, and toilets
  • Electrical permit required for new lighting, exhaust fans, or GFCI outlets
  • Shower pan liners must be inspected before tile is installed
  • Mechanical permit required if adding or relocating an exhaust fan
  • Waterproofing systems for walk-in showers must meet current plumbing codes
  • Tempered glass mandatory for windows within 60 inches of tub/shower drains

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Bathroom in Indianapolis

It depends on what you’re changing. A cosmetic bathroom refresh in Indianapolis — 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 Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services; the requirements above outline what Indianapolis treats as permit-worthy.

What Bathroom Work Needs a Permit in Indianapolis

In Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services before you start.

How to Get a Bathroom Remodel Permit in Indianapolis

1

Step 1: Application

Submit a 'Structural Permit' and list all MEP work on the Accela portal.

2

Step 2: Pay Fees

Pay the $159 structural base and $153+ per trade unit.

3

Step 3: Mid-Project Inspections

Schedule rough-in plumbing and electrical inspections.

4

Step 4: Final Sign-off

Schedule final building and trade inspections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, any fixture replacement or utility change requires a permit.
Typically between $250 and $600 including building and trade inspections.
Yes, replacing appliances or fixtures in a plumbing system requires a permit.
Yes — relocating a toilet, sink, or shower drain, or adding a new fixture, generally requires a plumbing permit in Indianapolis, even inside a cosmetic-looking remodel. Replacing a fixture in the same spot usually doesn’t. Check with the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.