Bathroom remodel requirements

Architectural

  1. Final bathroom ceiling height shall be not less than 6 feet, 8 inches. CRC R305.1
  2. Bathroom glazing located within 60” horizontally from the tub/shower, and with a sill lower than 60“above the standing surface, shall be tempered glass. CRC R308.4 

Mechanical

  1. New environmental air ducts, vents and exhaust ducts shall not terminate less than 3 feet from a property line or opening into the building; and shall also be located at least 10 feet from a forced air inlet. CMC 502.2.1
  2. An exhaust fan shall be provided near the tub and/or shower that is separate from a fan in a water closet enclosure that has a door. The enclosure’s fan will be rendered ineffective at controlling humidity with the door shut. CRC R303.3.1

Electrical

  1. Light fixtures located within 3 feet horizontally and 8 feet vertically of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold shall be listed for a damp location, or listed for wet locations where subject to shower spray. CEC 410.10(D)
  2. Bathroom receptacles shall comply with the following requirements:
    1. At least one dedicated 20-amp circuit shall serve the bathroom outlets. CEC 210.11(C)(3) 
    2. At least one receptacle shall be located within 3 feet of the outside edge of each basin and on the wall that is adjacent to the basin. CEC 210.52(D)
    3. All receptacles shall be GFCI-protected and tamper-resistant. CEC 210.8(A)(1) and 406.12
  3. All knob and tube wiring that is exposed when walls are opened is to be removed back to the attic or under floor accessible spaces and spliced in a junction box with Romex, or other approved wiring method, to be run back to the original location. Knob and tube boxes must be replaced to accommodate new wiring type. If removal of wiring would necessitate opening of additional walls not in the scope of the work, and the wiring is in sound condition, then it may remain. Menlo Park requirement
  4. No electrical panels shall be located in the bathroom. CEC 240.24(E)

Plumbing

  1. Proposed shower improvements shall comply with the following:
    1. When replacing a tub with a shower, the drainpipe diameter shall be at least 2” and maintain the minimum 2” drain system to the sewer system. CPC 702.1
    2. A proposed enclosure door shall open to maintain not less than a 22-inch unobstructed egress opening. CPC 408.5
    3. A new shower compartment shall have a minimum finished interior of 1,024 in2 and shall be capable of encompassing 30-inch circle. These dimensions shall be maintained to a point of not less than 70 inches above the shower. CPC 408.6
    4. Compartment walls shall be finished with a nonabsorbent surface (e.g., ceramic tile, fiberglass, etc.) over a moisture resistant underlayment (e.g., water resistant gypsum board, green board, etc.) to a height of 6 feet above the floor. WR gyp board shall be permitted on ceilings. WR gyp board shall not be installed over Class I or II vapor retarder in a shower or tub compartment. CRC R307.2 and R702.3.7
  2. Proposed or relocated water closets shall be located in a minimum 30” wide clear space, no closer than 15 inches from the center to the sidewall, with 24” clear in front of the water closet. CPC 402.5
  3. Plumbing waste vents shall terminate not less than 10 feet from, or not less than 3 feet above, an openable window, door, opening, air intake or vent shaft, or not less than 3 feet in every direction from a lot line, alley and street excepted. CPC 906.2
  4. Provide individual control valves of the pressure balance, thermostatic or combination pressure/balance/ thermostatic mixing valve type. These shall be installed at the point of use in accordance with ASSE 1016 or ASME A112.1016/CSA B125.16 or ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. CPC 408.3

T-24 Energy

  1. Recessed luminaries shall be IC- and AT- rated, accessible from below the ceiling and JA8 compliant. CA Energy Code 150.0(k)1C
  2. A vacancy sensor shall control at least one luminaire in each bathroom. CA Energy Code 150.0(k)2J
  3. Most LED lighting is NOT high efficacy. All high efficacy lighting (fluorescent, LED) and GU-24 lamp holders shall be listed by Energy Commission and shall meet the requirement of Energy Code Table 150.0-A.

CALGreen

  1. Bathroom exhaust fans shall be energy star-rated with a minimum 50 cfm (intermittent) or 20 cfm (continuous) venting directly to the outside, with humidity (50-80%) control. CRC R303.3.1 and CGBSC 4.506.1
  2. Plumbing fixtures shall comply with the prescriptive maximum flow rates required by CALGreen 4.303.1:
    1. Showerheads ≤1.8 gallon per minute (gpm) @ 80psi
    2. Lavatory faucet ≤1.2 gpm @ 60psi
    3. Water closet ≤1.28 gallons per flush

When a shower is served by more than one showerhead, the combined flow rate of all showerheads and/or other shower outlets controlled by a single valve shall not exceed 1.8 gallons per minute at 80 psi, or the shower shall be designed to allow only one shower outlet to be in operation at a time. CALGreen 4.303.1.3.2

Structural

Bathroom alterations typically do not involve structural changes. However, the following shall be considered when applicable:

  1. Load bearing wall changes
  2. Specifications and details for new wall framing and top/sole plate connections
  3. Wider window openings
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