Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel Permits and Rules

Walnut Creek: what needs a permit

The City's Building Permit FAQs list residential work requiring a permit, including:

• "kitchen or bathroom remodels"
• "new, relocated or replacement water heater, furnace, or air conditioner"
• "new, relocated or replacement of any gas-fired appliance"
• "new, relocated or replacement of hard-wired electrical appliances, such as stoves or ovens"

Simple projects are "typically reviewed within 3–5 business days (i.e 'over-the-counter')." Work that changes structure, such as removing a load-bearing wall, needs drawings and plan check. Source: City of Walnut Creek, Building Permit FAQs; see also Over-the-Counter Permit.

Lafayette, Danville and unincorporated areas

Water-conserving plumbing fixtures (SB 407)

California Civil Code §1101.4 requires that, for alterations or improvements to a single-family home, noncompliant plumbing fixtures be replaced with water-conserving fixtures as a condition of final permit approval. In practice, that means older toilets, showerheads and faucets in the home get swapped for compliant ones before the final inspection. Contra Costa County documents it with a certificate of compliance. Sources: Civil Code §1101.4; County SB 407 certificate.

Title 24 (2025) lighting

When you add or alter lighting, the 2025 California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6, §150.0(k)) applies:

• Installed lighting must be high efficacy (in practice, qualifying LED fixtures or lamps).
• Bathrooms: at least one luminaire controlled by an occupancy or vacancy sensor.
• Kitchens and other habitable rooms: dimming controls for the lighting.

Your electrician or remodeler documents compliance for the inspector. Sources: CEC 2025 Standards; CEC residential lighting FAQs.

Rossmoor: mutual approval on top

In Rossmoor, your mutual's alteration approval comes in addition to any city permit. The First Walnut Creek Mutual routes standard alterations, including tub-to-shower conversions and kitchen remodels, through the Mutual Operations Division, and major alterations to the Mutual Board or Architectural Control Committee. Details and caveats: Rossmoor remodels.

Who pulls the permit

Usually the licensed contractor, as part of the contract. An owner-builder permit shifts responsibility for the work, and for anyone you hire, to you. Put permit responsibility, inspections and the final sign-off in writing. Contract rules: choosing a remodeler.

Permit questions

Back to the remodel guides: bathrooms · kitchens · walk-in showers · aging in place.