Bathroom remodel: cost, permits and water-saving rules

For Silicon Valley homes · Updated October 2026 · Sources below

New tile, a vanity, paint and flooring usually don't need a permit. Moving the toilet, shower or sink, adding circuits or a fan, or changing walls does. In homes built on or before 1994, California requires older high-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets to be replaced when you do permitted work.

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The short version

Tile, flooring, paint and countertops: usually no permit
Moving fixtures, new circuits or venting, or wall changes: permit needed
Older homes: toilets over 1.6 gallons per flush and showerheads over 2.5 gpm must be replaced for permitted work
Jobs of $1,000 or more need a CSLB-licensed contractor
Down payment: no more than 10% or $1,000, whichever is less

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What it costs

Bathroom remodel (typical range)$6,637 - $17,611
Half bath or powder room$2,000 - $10,000
Full bathroom$6,000 - $15,000

National figures from 2024 - Bay Area remodels usually cost more. Moving plumbing, custom tile and the shower or tub you choose drive the price.

Typical ranges from published cost guides - mostly national figures. Bay Area prices usually run higher. Your actual price depends on your home and the job, and a pro gives you the real number. Source: HomeAdvisor cost guide (national) (Sep 2024). Have a quote? Check it with the Quote Explainer

Signs it's time to remodel, not just repair

Soft or spongy floor near the toilet or tub
Loose or cracked tile and failing grout around the shower
Mold that keeps coming back because the room doesn't vent well
Leaks under the vanity or behind the shower wall
Fixtures that are hard to use as you get older

What to decide first

Keep the layout if you can - leaving the toilet, shower and sink where they are saves the most money and keeps the permit simple.
Tub or walk-in shower? Think about who uses the room now and in 10 years.
Plan the exhaust fan and lighting with the electrician early - they usually need a permit.
Pick fixtures before demolition so the plumber sets the valves at the right height.

In Silicon Valley

San José: swapping several fixtures in the same spots, with no structural, wall or window changes, counts as a minor remodel that may qualify for an online permit. Painting, new flooring and new countertops need no permit.
California water rule: in homes built on or before January 1, 1994, any permitted alteration requires replacing noncompliant fixtures - toilets over 1.6 gallons per flush, showerheads over 2.5 gallons per minute and faucets over 2.2 gallons per minute - before the final sign-off.
San José's permit-exempt list includes tile and other floor finishes, but floor sheathing repairs are only exempt up to 10 square feet.

Questions homeowners ask

Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in San Jose?

Not for cosmetic work like tile, paint, new countertops or flooring. You do for moving or adding plumbing, new circuits, a new exhaust fan or venting, or changing walls. Replacing fixtures in the same spots may qualify for San José's online permit.

How much does a bathroom remodel cost?

National cost guides put a typical bathroom remodel at about $6,600 to $17,600, a half bath at about $2,000 to $10,000 and a full bath at about $6,000 to $15,000. Bay Area prices usually run higher. Moving plumbing and custom tile raise the cost the most.

Do I have to replace my old toilet when I remodel?

If your home was built on or before January 1, 1994 and the work needs a permit, California law requires replacing toilets that use more than 1.6 gallons per flush, showerheads over 2.5 gpm and faucets over 2.2 gpm before final approval.

Who should I hire for a bathroom remodel?

For a full remodel, a licensed general building (B) contractor usually manages the plumbing, electrical and tile. For tile only, a C-54 ceramic and mosaic tile contractor fits. Any job of $1,000 or more needs a CSLB license - look it up on cslb.ca.gov before you sign.

How much should I pay up front for a bathroom remodel?

In California, the down payment for home improvement work can't be more than 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less. Pay the rest as work is finished, and keep payments from getting ahead of the job.

Is a soft floor by the toilet a big problem?

It usually means water has been getting into the subfloor for a while. Have a plumber find the leak first, then a contractor check how far the damage goes. Bigger subfloor repairs need a permit in San José.

Do you need a permit?

Depends on the work - cosmetic updates usually don't; moving pipes, wiring or walls does.

General guidance based on California's building code - your city can have stricter rules, and zoning, historic and HOA rules can apply too. Check with your city's building department before you start.

Check the rule for your city

Questions to ask the pro

What's your CSLB license number and classification?
Which permits does this need, and who pulls them?
How do you waterproof the shower before tile goes on?
Will the new fixtures meet California's water-use rules?
What's the payment schedule, and what's included in the price?

Before you sign, check the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov. How to hire a contractor in California

Go deeperHow to hire a contractor in California: licenses, contracts and payments

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