Bathroom Remodel Permit Requirements in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach doesn't publish a bathroom-specific checklist, but its official HB 803 guidance is clear about the scopes that always need a permit: plumbing, electrical, and structural work, whatever the cost. Only minor work under $7,500 on a single-family home outside a flood hazard area can be exempt, and only after the city approves a written exemption request.
Verified against official sources · Last verified: September 19, 2026
Do You Need a Permit?
Conditional — More Information NeededWest Palm Beach does not publish a bathroom-specific checklist, so this rule follows the city's general permit guidance. Under the city's Florida HB 803 guidance, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas work still requires a permit regardless of cost, as does any work on a property in a flood hazard area. Only minor work valued under $7,500 on a single-family dwelling outside a flood hazard area may be exempt, and only after the city approves a written exemption request (a Permit Exemption Affidavit) and issues an Exemption Certificate; a project cannot be split to stay under the limit. The city's permit application also states that a separate permit must be secured for electrical work and plumbing. A bathroom remodel that moves or adds plumbing, adds or moves electrical work, or changes structural walls therefore needs a permit; purely cosmetic work is not automatically exempt, and other scopes — such as swapping fixtures or replacing a shower or tub — should be confirmed with the Building Division.
Additional verification needed for some scenarios
PermitAhead has verified West Palm Beach's requirements for the specific scenario described above. Other bathroom remodel scenarios fall outside the official checklist we've verified — use the checker to see which applies to your project, or confirm directly with the building department.
See what applies to your exact property.
Check Your PropertyPermit Type
Building Permit (with separate electrical and plumbing permits)
Documents You May Need
- Building Division Permit Application, with the trade checked (Structural, Electrical, Plumbing, and so on); notarized if the value is $5,000 or more
- A separate permit application for electrical work and for plumbing
- Fee simple titleholder, bonding company, architect/engineer and mortgage lender information, when the aggregate value of all improvements is $5,000 or more
- Recorded Notice of Commencement, posted on the job site before the first inspection (direct contract greater than $5,000)
- Permit Exemption Affidavit, uploaded to the Permit Exemption Request in the Civic Access portal — only when requesting the HB 803 exemption for qualifying minor work
Conditions That Can Affect This Result
This isn't a flat rule — the outcome can depend on details specific to your project. Use the checker to get a result based on your own answers, or see the verified scenarios below.
- If the work moves or adds plumbing fixtures or pipes: a permit is required.
- If the work adds or moves lights, outlets, circuits, or an exhaust fan: a permit is required.
- If the work changes structural walls or framing: a permit is required.
What to Do Next
- 1Confirm which scenario applies to your project with the building department.
- 2Once confirmed, gather the required documents for that scenario.
- 3Contact the building department for how to submit your application.
Ready to continue?
Apply for the permit
Open the official government application portal.
Questions about your permit?
Call the Building Department.
Common Questions
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in West Palm Beach?
It depends on the scope. The city says structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas work requires a permit regardless of cost, and its permit application states that a separate permit must be secured for electrical work and plumbing.
Is there an exemption for small remodels?
Florida's HB 803 exempts minor work valued under $7,500 on a single-family dwelling — but not structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing or gas work, and not work in a flood hazard area. You must submit a written exemption request and receive an Exemption Certificate before starting.
Permit Fees
Fees vary by project scope. See the City of West Palm Beach Civic Access Fee Estimator for an estimate.
Review Time
Varies by project and plan-review workload
Building Department
Building Division
Phone: 561-805-6700Email: ds@wpb.orgAddress: 401 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Official Sources
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PermitAhead provides informational guidance based on official government sources. Final permitting decisions are made by the applicable local authority.