You need a remodeling permit for any home project that touches electrical or plumbing of any kind. This does not mean relocating plumbing or electrical, rather replacing a sink or sink faucet would necessitate a city permit.
Related: Kitchen Remodel Guide: Professional Design Details
Do You Need A Remodeling Permit?
We all want to save a buck and some time, but the correct and short answer is a “strong” yes when it comes to kitchen remodeling. We applied the word “strong” because, needless to say, some things in the kitchen most likely won’t require a kitchen permit. We understand knowing all the ins and outs of remodeling, and where the laws hold is uncertain for many who wish to add a new look to their existing kitchen.
With that said, let’s say you are remodeling an entire kitchen, and that entails the walls to be removed and replumbed. Then yes, absolutely a kitchen permit will be required! But, if you own your own home, and have no HOA to talk with, then refacing your kitchen cabinets would not require a permit. And most homeowners will work around replacing a lighting fixture and wing it without a permit. However when working with a professional contractor, you want all the laws followed exactly as this is your safety net for ensuring your contractor is responsible for safe and legal remodeling work.
Try out one of our free remodeling workshops and learn everything you need to know about how to remodel your home.
For Your Protection? Or Whose?
Remember, we all live in Southern California and “the big one,” can strike at any time…Being protected by a permit ensures the safety of you, your family, and your home! And when selling your home, refinancing, applying for new homeowners’ insurance, just about anything can hold you back from the sale of your home due to improper permits. Nothing would be worse than letting your friend in to help with the big kitchen makeover, thinking you are saving a lot of money and realizing you have to tear it all out.
What Type of Permit Will You Need?
Well, we would love to be able to explain what “type” of permit is needed for your kitchen remodel, but unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. It all starts with what you are trying to accomplish first. From that point, a licensed professional can guide you through what it takes to get the “right” permit for your task at hand. You will be required to identify the zoning for your house and all the site improvement criteria, involving obstacles as well. Knowing whether your home is situated in a flood plain or a fire hazard zone all can make permits vary from case to case.
How Do I Get A Permit?
Obtaining a permit for yourself is available through MyOCeServices. Working with Sea Pointe Design & Remodel, or another reputable business can aid in this arduous process. You will need the property owner’s name and address, the names and addresses of the contractor and designer, the extent of work to be completed, and a record of examination activity from the start of construction through the authorized final inspection. This kitchen remodel permit provides a valuable history of your home which can assist when potential add-ons or revisions are planned.
Related: Do I need A Remodeling Permit? Remodeling Guide
Do You Need A Building Permit To Remodel Your Kitchen?
This question, again, is best left to the professionals. A skylight can have its own permit, while a typical kitchen remodel will actually involve a building permit. You will need a building permit, which may include a plumbing, electrical, and in most cases a mechanical permit.
All these sound like a daunting task just to get the ball rolling, but with our help, the permits will be our issue, not yours! We have been following the laws by the book in all aspects of home remodeling for decades.
This includes each permit you will need to keep you, your property, and us all safe and legal! Remember the permit puts the legal responsibility on the permit puller, which should always be your licensed and insured contractor.
What’s Included In A Building Permit?
A true building permit is quite extensive. We recommend seeking advice when a full building permit is required. Action items that need to take place during the kitchen remodel is paramount for everyone’s safety (health & law wise). Items included in a building permit are:
- Demolition Drawings
- Fundamental Drawings and Computations
- Structure Elevations
- Mechanical Drawings
- Electrical Drawings
- Site plan and/or Grading Plan
- Plumbing Line Drawings
- Technical Requirements
- Architectural Floor Plans
As you can see now, the complexity of building permits can become overwhelming for the DIY home improvement seeker. In nearly all instances, the illustrations and computations submitted for your kitchen remodel will require the signature and wet stamp of a registered architect and/or a licensed engineer.
What Happens If I Don’t Have A Permit?
If you did require a permit, and failed to obtain one, then you will face multiple challenges when the city finds this out. Failure to acquire a building permit is a violation of Contractors License Law. Additionally, construction completed without a permit can endanger a homeowner to extra responsibility and expenses.
When a service provider executes a kitchen remodel without regional building authorization, it is a breach of Business and Professions (B&P) Code sections 7110 and 7090. Free-lancers who violate the law are subject to punitive action by CSLB, comprising civil penalty charges of up to $5,000 per violation.
Hiring someone from Craigslist can cost you more in the long run when you need to sell, refinance, obtain insurance, or perform any real remodeling or repairs with a licensed company. Once the damage has been done by an unlicensed person, or those who fail to obtain ALL the proper documentation needed before undertaking the job, it is a costly job to remedy.
Typically the city will require complete removal of the remodel, and guess what…you’ll find yourself getting that permit to put your kitchen back together as well as you may incur fines from the city. Better to be safe than sorry — measure twice and cut once and be sure to get your remodeling permit to save headaches, time, cost, and ensure your remodel is safe to live in.
Related: Kitchen Remodel Planning Guide: Where to Start & What to Expect
Final Thoughts
Due to the complexity of a kitchen remodel, and all that it entails, employing the correct company will save you time, frustrations, and money. Best of all, at the end, your kitchen remodel will be spectacular and gorgeous for years to come! Enjoying your new kitchen remodel recognizing a legitimate expert has completed the task with utmost care and consideration, while staying legal all the way, will make you and your family delighted for as long as you own own your home!
Do you want help dealing with your next kitchen remodeling project? Reach out to us and learn how we can help you transform your home.