BATHROOM REMODEL/REPAIR:

General

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Electronic Permit System allows for the issuance of a "combined" building permit to repair and/or replace cabinets, flooring, wall finishes, tile, counters, and plumbing/electrical fixtures only. No changes in walls or openings is permitted and no penetration of new plumbing or electrical fixtures into existing wall(s) is allowed. If changes in walls/openings or new plumbing/electrical fixtures are desired, the required permit(s) must be issued at a LADBS Construction Services Center. For walls/opening changes, a plan check conducted at the public counter of a LADBS Construction Services Center is required. Two sets of the following indelible plans are required for plan check:

1. A floor plan drawn to a scale of 1/4 inch to 1 foot showing the existing layout of the bathroom to be remodeled and each room adjacent to the bathroom.
2. A floor plan drawn to a scale of 1/4 inch to 1 foot showing the proposed layout of the bathroom to be remodeled and each room adjacent to the bathroom.

Water Closets

New water closets shall have a maximum flush capacity of 1.6 gallons per flush, and shall be located in a clear space not less than 30 inches in width and have a clear space in front of the water closet stool of not less than 24 inches.

Shower Area

Showers shall have floors and walls finished with smooth, hard, non-absorbent surfaces such as portland cement, concrete ceramic file or other approved material to a height of not less than 70 inches above the drain inlet. Materials other than structural elements used in such walls shall be of a type which is not adversely affected by moisture.

Glazing for Shower and Bathtub Enclosures

Glazing used in doors and panels of shower and bathtub enclosures shall be fully tempered, laminated safety glass or approved plastic. When glass is used, it shall have a minimum thickness of not less than 1/8 inch when fully tempered, or 1/4 inch when laminated, and shall pass the test requirements of Uniform Building Code Standard 54-2.

Inspection Requirements

In most cases, one inspection is required when the bathroom remodel/repair is complete. For bathroom remodel/repair permits issued using the LADBS e-Permit system, the inspector will provide the required inspection signature card at the first (or only) inspection. To reach your inspector to verify inspection requirements for your project, call the LADBS Customer Call Center at 311 for calls originating inside of Los Angeles County. For calls originating outside of Los Angeles County, call (213) 482-0000.

Inspection Requests

You can schedule an inspection by using our Automated Inspection Request System (AIRS) which is available anytime (except between 2am and 3am) or by contacting our Customer Call Center (CCC) during our regular business hours (7am to 5pm). Both are available at 311 for calls originating inside of Los Angeles County. For calls originating outside of Los Angeles County, call (213) 482-0000. To reach AIRS select option 1, to reach CCC select option 2. When calling for an inspection you will need to know the permit number, the site address, the date and type of inspection needed, and the name and phone number of the person to receive a confirmation call on the morning of the inspection. Inspections are available for the next business day until 3pm on the previous business day using AIRS and until 2pm on the previous business day using CCC. An AIRS Sequence Chart is helpful when scheduling an inspection request using AIRS.

When the bathroom remodel/repair is complete, use the "335 - Final" AIRS inspection code. When using AIRS to schedule an inspection request, it is recommended that you write down your inspection request confirmation number for future reference. This confirmation number can be obtained by pressing the "1" key in step 10 as shown on the AIRS Sequence Chart.