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City Hall, First Floor
500 Castro Street
Mountain View, CA 94041

(650) 903-6313
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Bathroom Remodel

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A permit is required for all bathroom remodels, which must be obtained prior to the start of the work. The following must be submitted:

One 8.5” x 11” electronic plan digitally signed by the designer/architect, contractor, or homeowner responsible for preparing the plan. The plan must include an existing and new floor plan and must be legible.
A permit is required for bathroom remodels that include replacement of the tub/shower enclosure. A permit is NOT required for replacement of a standard toilet in the same location (replacement fixture shall not exceed 1.28 GPF).
Any exterior modifications to the building to accommodate the bathroom remodel requires review and approval by the Planning Division prior to building permit issuance. Please contact the Planning Division at 650-903-6306 or planning.division@mountainview.gov.

A building permit, which may also include a plumbing permit and/or electrical permit if plumbing and electrical work is included.

Permit fees (including inspection fees): $400 to $550, depending on square footage of bathroom (approx. $60 per square foot).

Typical Time Permit Received:

5 to 7 days, if upgrading fixtures in same location;
6 to 8 weeks, if modifying structural components (e.g. removing existing or installing new walls)

Submit your building permit online.
After your submission (during prescreen), City staff will contact you with the fee amount owed based on the information you submitted. Staff will provide instructions for online fee payment.
City staff will verify your application is complete. If any information is incomplete or incorrect, City staff will provide your comments and ask you to resubmit.
If modifying structural components of bathroom, then City Staff will provide comments or corrections in 2 weeks. If a like-for-like replacement, City Staff will provide comments or corrections in 5 business days.
You will need to reply to the City's comments with revised information and missing materials as part of your resubmittal online.
Once your permit is complete and code compliant, the City will issue the building permit to begin construction.
As construction occurs, the contractor will schedule City inspection's online.
Upon construction completion and a final inspection by the City Building Inspector, the permit will be finaled and complete.

All electrical receptacles must be GFCI protected. At least one receptacle outlet must be installed in bathrooms within 3 feet of the outside edge of each basin.
In addition to the number of branch circuits required by the CEC, one or more 120-volt, 20-amperes branch circuit must be provided to supply the bathroom(s) receptacle outlet(s) and any countertop and similar work surface receptacle outlets. Such circuits must have no other outlets.
Electrical panels must not be installed in bathrooms. A minimum 200 amps service disconnect shall be required for a single-family home per Section 8.51(C) of the City Code, or a minimum of 125 amps service disconnect is required for a duplex per Section 8.51(D).

Recessed light fixtures in tub/shower enclosures must be listed for a damp or wet location.
All installed lighting must be high efficacy per Table 150.0-A (CEnerC, Subchapter 7, 150.0(k)1A).
At least one light must be controlled by an occupancy or vacancy sensor (automatic-off controls).
Integrated lighting of exhaust fans shall be independent from the fans. The following shall be controlled separately: undercabinet lighting, undershelf lighting, interior lighting of display cabinets, and switched outlets.

Toilet fixture clearance must be a minimum of 24” in front of toilet and 15” from centerline. If existing conditions cannot comply, contact the Building Inspection Division.
Lavatory fixture clearance must be a minimum of 24” in front of lavatory.
Shower compartment must have a finished interior area of not less than 1,024 square inches which must accommodate a circle with a minimum diameter of 30."

Plumbing vents must be located a minimum of 10 feet from, or not less than 3 feet above, any opening. Additionally, vents must not be less than 3 feet in every direction from the lot line.
For any bathroom containing a bathtub, shower or tub/shower combo, an exhaust fan is required for purposes of humidity control. Exhaust fan must be separate from lighting switch. An operable window is not a permissible means of providing humidity control.

Newly installed plumbing fixtures must be water-conserving in compliance with CGC 4.303. Water closets must not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush, shower heads must not exceed 1.8 gallons per minute, and new lavatory faucets must not exceed 1.2 gallons per minute.
All existing noncompliant plumbing fixtures not included in the scope of new work must be replaced if necessary to comply with SB407 Plumbing Fixtures Replacement requirements. is available.

Shower compartments and areas above bathtubs must be finished with non-absorbent surface, a minimum of 6 feet (72 inches) above the floor.
Safety glazing is required on windows within tub or shower area when the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60” inches above a standing or walking surface.
Safety glass (tempered or laminated) is required for all glass shower doors and partitions.
Pressure balanced or thermostatic mixing values are required for shower and tub-shower combination plumbing installations. Additionally, for bathtubs and whirlpool bathtubs, the maximum hot water temperature discharging from the filler spout must be limited to 120° F. The water heater thermostat must not be considered a control for meeting this provision.

Bathroom Example Floor Plan

Ensure your permit application is complete on your first submission. Schedule a brief meeting with staff to discuss your project.

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