Bathroom Remodel Permits

When are permits required for Bathroom Remodels in Baltimore City?:

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1. Mechanical/Plumbing Permits will be required if you replace or rearrange pipes, tubs, sinks or toilets.

2. Electrical Permits will be required if you add or relocate outlets, lights or fans.

3. Building Permits will be required if you alter or repair the structure of the bathroom.

   • A building permit does not cover electrical work or mechanical work and vise versa, so it is possible that you will need multiple permits depending on your scope of work.

4. Permits are not required to paint, replace/install tile, mirrors, shower curtains, or glass shower doors.

   • Review our When are Permit Required in Baltimore City Guide for more information!​

 

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What Documents are Required in Order to Have Your Permit Approved?:

 

Building Permits:

1. Will require sketches drawn to scale which show the proposed floor plan changes.

2. If performing structural alterations, your sketches must be signed and sealed by a structural engineer registered in the state of Maryland.

3. Building permit applications will need:

4. Description of work

5. Estimated cost of project

6. Existing and proposed use of the property/room

7. Contractor information such as name and license number (depending on scope)

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Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing Permits:

1. Description work including fixtures being added, replaced or installed

2. Existing and proposed use of the property/room

3. Contractor information such as name and license number.

4. Estimated cost of project.

 

How to Apply for Bathroom Remodel Permits:

1. Apply for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Permits online via ePermits (Baltimore City’s online permitting system

   • Read our ePermits 101 guide

   • If your permit requires a contractor’s license, your contractor will also need to make an ePermits account to accept the project on their end.

2. If your bathroom remodel requires a building permit you will be required to submit your sketches via ePlans after applying via ePermits (Baltimore City’s online plan review system)

   • Read our ePlans 101 guide

 

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Permit Review Timelines:

1. For most electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits: Permits are supposed to be ready for payment within an hour.

2. For building permits requiring plan review (this applies to any bathroom remodel project which requires a building permit), Over 98% of permit applications submitted with plans are reviewed in less than 30 days (add 50% to this timeline to account for processing, coordination, and failed permit reviews/plan revisions).

 

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What Inspections are Required?:

1. Mechanical/Plumbing/Electrical permits must each have:

   • Rough in inspection

   • Final inspection

     • The final inspection shall be made after all work required by the building permit is completed

2. Building permits must each have:

   1. Framing Inspection

      • Framing inspections shall be made after all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and pipes, and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved.

   2. Insulation Inspection

   3. Final Inspection

      • The final inspection shall be made after all work required by the building permit is completed

 

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Who Can You Contact to Learn More About Bathroom Remodeling Inspection Requirements?:

1. Building Inspections: 410-361-9436

2. Electrical Inspections: 410-361-9271

3. Mechanical/Plumbing Inspections: 410-361-9272

 

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Additional Information:

• The building permit or a copy must be kept on-site until project completion.

• Any approved permit plans must be kept at the job site during construction.

• Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and such construction of work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.

• Framing inspections shall be made after all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and pipes, and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved.