Bathroom Remodel Permit in Camas, WA (2026)

Research by DoINeedAPermit Research Team · Updated May 2026

The Short Answer

Most full bathroom remodels in Camas require a building permit. Surface-only work (tile, vanity swap in place, faucet replacement) is exempt. Any fixture relocation, electrical work, exhaust fan duct, wall changes, or tub-to-shower conversion triggers the permit requirement.

Camas Building Department treats bathroom remodels under the 2018 Washington State Building Code (one cycle behind current state adoption), which means you're following IRC 2015 plumbing and electrical rules that differ slightly from neighboring jurisdictions still on the 2012 cycle. The city's key quirk: Camas sits partly in Clark County (volcanic soil, 30+ inch frost depth east of town) and partly in Skamania County, and the county-level land-use overlay can affect whether a remodel bumps against flood zone or critical-area restrictions — something the city's online portal doesn't always flag upfront. Camas also requires all bathroom exhaust fans to terminate above roofline with dampered ducts (IRC M1505.2), and the city plan-review staff are strict about shower waterproofing documentation — they want to see cement board + elastomeric membrane (or equivalent) called out on your drawings, not just assumed. Owner-builders can pull permits for owner-occupied homes, which saves contractor markup but requires the owner to handle inspections and be on-site. The permit process is paper-first (though they accept PDFs); expect 3-4 weeks for plan review if you nail the submittal.

What happens if you skip the permit (and you needed one)

Stop-work orders and fines of $500–$1,000 per day in Camas; building official can shut down work immediately if neighbors complain or city inspector spots unpermitted activity.
Insurance claim denial — if a plumbing leak or electrical fault causes damage after unpermitted work, your homeowner's policy can refuse to cover it, costing $10,000–$50,000+ out of pocket.
Resale disclosure hit: Washington State Seller Disclosure Form (WSDF) requires you to disclose unpermitted work; buyers can walk away or demand $5,000–$20,000 credit, and lenders often won't finance properties with undisclosed permitted-work violations.
Forced removal or re-work at your expense if the city discovers it during a final inspection for some other project; ripping out new tile, fixtures, and drywall to expose framing for re-inspection adds $3,000–$8,000 and 2-3 weeks.

Camas bathroom remodel permits — the key details

The Camas Building Department enforces the 2018 Washington State Building Code (which adopts the 2015 IRC with state amendments), and one critical difference from 2012-code jurisdictions is that GFCI/AFCI rules are stricter. Per IRC E3902, all bathroom circuits within 6 feet of a sink, tub, or shower must be GFCI-protected; Camas also interprets this to include exhaust-fan circuits and lighting circuits, not just outlets. If your remodel adds a new circuit or moves an existing one, the electrical plan must show GFCI protection (either outlet-level or panel-level), and inspectors will test it on rough-electrical inspection. Many DIY submittals miss this and get rejected for 'incomplete electrical plan.' The city accepts single-sheet conceptual plans for small cosmetic changes but requires a full set (floor plan, electrical, plumbing) for anything involving fixture relocation or new circuits — and 'full set' means to scale with dimensions, not sketches.

Exhaust fan ventilation is a flashpoint in Camas because the city sits in a climate zone that ranges from 4C (wet, Puget Sound side) to 5B (colder, east of the Gorge). The rule is the same everywhere (IRC M1505: 50-80 CFM for a bathroom, 100 CFM if shared with toilet room), but Camas staff insist on seeing the duct path documented — where it starts at the bathroom, where it terminates (always above roofline, never in soffit or into attic), and whether the damper is gravity or motorized. Flex duct is permitted but discouraged; rigid metal is preferred. If you're adding exhaust for the first time or moving it, the plan must show the ductwork routing and termination point. Failure to include this detail is the #2 reason for resubmittals after electrical GFCI omissions.

Plumbing fixture relocation is where code teeth really show. If you're moving a toilet, sink, or tub to a new location, the drain line must be sized per IRC P2706 (toilet drains are 3-inch minimum, sink drains are 1.5-inch minimum) and trap-arm length is capped at 3 feet 6 inches (IRC P3005.2) — this is a hard rule that can't be waived. Camas Building Department has flagged many remodels where the new toilet drain location stretches the trap arm beyond code because the new wall location is farther from the main stack than the old one. Solution: either reroute the stack, use a pumped sewage ejector (common in older Camas homes where basements are below discharge elevation), or change the fixture location. If you're adding a sewage ejector, that's a separate permit item and adds $2,000–$4,000 to the project. The city requires a licensed plumber to design and install it (no owner-builder exemption for sewage ejectors), and it must be accessible for service — no burying it under the concrete floor.

Waterproofing is non-negotiable for any tub-to-shower conversion or new shower. IRC R702.4.2 requires a waterproofing assembly (membrane + substrate) rated for wet areas behind all tile or other interior finish. Camas doesn't permit Kerdi-only (unbackered) or drywall-only showers; you must use cement board or equivalent backer board under the membrane. The plan or specification must state this explicitly — 'cement board + elastomeric membrane' or 'Schluter Kerdi with gypsum backer' — because inspectors will not approve a roughed-in shower if the backer-board type is vague. Many homeowners assume 'just put up drywall and tile it' is fine, and the inspector red-tags it. Expect the rough-framing inspection to focus on this, and budget $800–$1,500 for backer-board and membrane materials alone.

Timeline and next steps: Submit your permit application (floor plan, electrical one-line, plumbing diagram, and product specs for fixtures/fan/backer board) to Camas Building Department in person or by email (verify current email on city website). Plan review takes 3-4 weeks; you'll get a list of corrections via email. Resubmit corrected plans; second review is usually 1 week. Once approved, you get a permit card, schedule rough-plumbing inspection (coordinate with your plumber), rough-electrical inspection (electrician must be present), rough-framing inspection (to verify backer board, exhaust path, etc.), and final inspection (after all finishes are in). Each inspection typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. Permit costs $300–$700 depending on valuation (usually 1.5-2% of total project cost). If you hire a general contractor or licensed plumber, they typically absorb the permit and inspection coordination; if you're owner-building, you must schedule each inspection yourself and be present.

Three Camas bathroom remodel (full) scenarios

Scenario A

Vanity and faucet replacement in original location, new tile surround on existing tub walls — Lacamas neighborhood ranch

You're keeping the existing 30-inch vanity footprint, same sink drain location, and just swapping the old cabinet and faucet for new. You're also retiling the walls around the existing bathtub without moving it or changing the tub-to-shower configuration. This is surface-only work: Camas Building Department does not require a permit for in-place fixture swaps or cosmetic tile work. You can buy your vanity at a big-box store, hire a handyman or contractor to install it, and tile the walls yourself or hire a tile contractor — no inspections needed. This is the exemption path that many homeowners miss: they assume 'bathroom remodel' always needs a permit, but Camas code allows 'ordinary repairs and replacements of existing fixtures' without a permit. Cost: vanity $300–$800, faucet $150–$400, tile labor $1,500–$3,000, no permit fees. Timeline: 1-2 weeks. Trap: if you're swapping the vanity and the new one has a different drain location (e.g., center vs. left), or if you're adding a new water-supply line that wasn't there before, you've crossed into plumbing work and now need a permit. Always confirm drain/supply locations before buying the new vanity.

Scenario B

Full gut: relocate toilet 8 feet, new shower with cement-board waterproofing, add exhaust fan with roof duct — East Camas master bath, existing plumbing stack

You're gutting the bathroom and moving the toilet from the corner to the opposite wall (8 feet away from the original drain location). This requires a new 3-inch PVC drain line from the relocated toilet back to the main stack, and because you're also converting the existing tub to a walk-in shower with a new waterproofing assembly (cement board + RedGard membrane), you need a full plumbing and framing plan. You're also adding a new exhaust fan with a 4-inch insulated duct that terminates above the roofline on the east side. This is a three-permit trigger: plumbing fixture relocation, waterproofing assembly change, new exhaust duct. Camas will require: floor plan (to scale, showing old and new toilet/drain locations, vanity location), plumbing schematic (drain sizing, trap-arm length, main stack connection), electrical one-line (GFCI protection for all circuits, exhaust fan circuit), framing detail (backer-board type: cement board 1/2-inch, membrane specification). Expect a resubmittal cycle if the plumbing schematic doesn't show trap-arm length or if the electrical plan doesn't label GFCI. Plan-review cost: $450–$700 depending on total valuation (typically quoted as $50–$100 per 1,000 of project value). Inspections: rough plumbing (verify drain routing and sizing), rough electrical (test GFCI), rough framing (verify backer board and exhaust path), final. Timeline: 4-5 weeks total (3-4 weeks plan review, 1-2 weeks construction + inspections). Red flag: if the new toilet-drain location makes the trap arm exceed 3.5 feet, you'll need to either reroute the stack (major expense) or add a sewage ejector (which requires a licensed plumber and separate permit). Confirm trap-arm length with a plumber before submitting plans.

Scenario C

Cosmetic update: new tile on existing vanity wall, add GFCI outlet, recessed LED lighting (existing ceiling), no fixture moves — West Camas cottage, 1950s home with pre-1978 paint

You're keeping the vanity, toilet, and tub in place, just retiling the wall behind the vanity and adding a GFCI outlet on that wall (where a standard outlet currently exists). You're also adding four recessed LED lights in the existing ceiling — no new framing, just running wire through the ceiling cavity and tapping into an existing light circuit. On the surface, this looks like surface work (no permit), but here's the city-specific gotcha: Camas requires a permit for any 'new circuit or modification to existing circuit' if it involves adding GFCI protection to an unprotected circuit. If your existing bathroom outlet is not GFCI-protected (common in older 1950s homes), adding a GFCI outlet is treated as an electrical modification and requires a permit. Additionally, if your home was built before 1978, Camas Building Department will flag the project as potentially containing lead paint; the city doesn't require lead abatement for interior cosmetic work, but it does require a Lead Disclosure Form to be signed by you and the contractor. The recessed lights are typically exempt (they're just replacing an existing circuit), but they must be IC-rated (insulation contact) if they're within 3 feet of insulation, and the city inspector might check this. Verdict: you can skip the permit if you don't touch the electrical at all (just tile and cosmetic), but if you're adding or upgrading the GFCI outlet, you need one. Permit cost: $200–$300 (electrical only, smaller valuation). Timeline: 1-2 weeks if you're only doing electrical; 2-3 weeks if you include framing/insulation questions. Lead paint disclosure: free, but required. Pro tip: hire a licensed electrician; they'll know whether your work is in-scope for a permit and will pull it themselves.

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Camas climate and plumbing: frost depth, volcanic soil, and sewage ejectors

Camas straddles two climate zones and soil types. West of the Gorge (town center, Lacamas neighborhood) is IECC Zone 4C (wet marine), with 12-inch frost depth and glacial-till soil. East of the Gorge (outlying areas toward Hood River) is Zone 5B (cold), with 30+ inch frost depth and volcanic loam. This affects bathroom plumbing because drain lines must be below frost depth, and in the eastern part of Camas, your bathroom drain may need to be buried 30+ inches deep to clear frost heave. Most older Camas homes (1950s-1980s) have basements that sit at or near the frost line, and newer homes (2000+) often have above-slab plumbing with sump pits or sewage ejectors. When you're relocating a bathroom drain, the contractor (or you, if owner-building) must determine whether the new drain line can tie to an existing stack that's below frost depth, or whether you'll need to install a sewage ejector to lift effluent to the main drain.

Sewage ejectors are common in Camas bathrooms because many homes can't get a natural-slope drain to the main stack without going absurdly deep or long. If your new bathroom location is lower than the existing drain (or farther away horizontally), a sewage ejector becomes necessary. This is a $2,500–$4,000 line-item that many homeowners discover mid-remodel. The city requires a licensed plumber to design and install it, and it must have its own permit and sump-pump inspection. Ejector pits must be accessible (no burying under concrete), and they're loud — some neighbors complain. Check with your plumber early; it can make or break the project budget.

Volcanic soil in east Camas also affects trench digging. If you're running a new drain line across the yard (e.g., from a relocated toilet to the stack), the soil can be rocky and hard to trench. Labor costs can spike 30-50% if you hit basalt or dense clay. Get a soil test or have the plumber do a site visit before finalizing the estimate.

Waterproofing, shower valves, and the 2018 code update that tripped up Camas contractors

In 2018, when Camas adopted the 2015 IRC (via the Washington State Building Code), the waterproofing rules for showers tightened compared to the older 2012 code that many contractors were used to. The old code allowed drywall with a vapor barrier in some cases; the new code requires a dedicated waterproofing membrane (elastomeric coating or sheet membrane) over a rigid backer board (cement board, Durock, or equivalent). Camas inspectors are strict about this because they've seen too many leaks in homes that used inadequate waterproofing. If you're building a new shower or converting a tub to a shower, you must use a system like Schluter Kerdi, RedGard + cement board, or equivalent — not just drywall and tile. This adds $800–$1,500 to the materials and labor, but it's non-negotiable.

Another surprise for Camas contractors: pressure-balanced shower valves. IRC P2708 requires all tub/shower valves to be pressure-balanced to prevent scalding if a toilet flushes and the cold-water supply drops. Camas strictly enforces this for new installations. Many older Camas homes have non-pressure-balanced single-handle valves, and homeowners assume they can just replace the cartridge or knob — that works for in-place repairs, but if you're doing a full remodel with new valve installation, the new valve must be pressure-balanced. This means spending $300–$600 on a Moen Posi-Temp or Delta Multichoice Ballcock instead of a $100 basic faucet. Inspectors will ask to see the valve spec on your submittal.

Lead paint in older Camas homes (built before 1978) is another trigger. If you're doing any work that disturbs painted surfaces (including drywall removal or tile work), Camas requires you to sign a Lead Disclosure Form and follow RCW 70A.230.010 (Washington State lead-safe practices). You don't have to hire a lead abatement contractor for interior remodels, but you must use lead-safe work practices (wet sanding, HEPA-vacuuming, containment) and dispose of waste properly. Many contractors skip this and risk a fine of $500–$2,000 if the city finds out. The disclosure form is free and takes 5 minutes; just do it.

City of Camas Building Department
City of Camas, Camas, WA 98607 (contact city hall for building department address and hours)
Phone: (360) 834-5505 (main city line; ask for building permits) | https://www.camas.wa.us/ (check for online permit portal or e-permitting system)
Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM Pacific (verify with city before visiting)

Common questions

Can I pull a bathroom remodel permit as an owner-builder in Camas?

Yes, Camas allows owner-builders to pull permits for owner-occupied homes. You must live in the home, and you're responsible for scheduling inspections and being present for them. Plumbing and electrical work must be inspected by the city (not self-certified). If you hire a licensed plumber or electrician, they can also pull the permit on your behalf. Sewage ejectors require a licensed plumber; owner-builders cannot install them.

How much does a bathroom remodel permit cost in Camas?

Permit fees in Camas are typically $200–$700 depending on the valuation of the work. The city calculates fees at approximately 1.5–2% of the total project cost (not just materials, but labor plus materials if you're hiring contractors). A $20,000 bathroom remodel would cost roughly $300–$400 for the permit. Plan-review fees are usually included in the permit cost, not separate.

Do I need a permit if I'm just replacing my toilet and vanity in the same spot?

No. Camas exempts 'ordinary repairs and replacements of existing fixtures' from permit requirements if you're not moving the fixture or adding new plumbing lines. Swapping a toilet or vanity in place is a permitted exemption. If the new vanity has a different drain location or if you're adding a new supply line, you've crossed into plumbing work and now need a permit.

What's the rough-inspection timeline in Camas?

Once your permit is approved, rough inspections typically happen within 1–2 weeks depending on contractor scheduling and city inspector availability. You must call to schedule each inspection (rough plumbing, rough electrical, rough framing, final). Each inspection takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. Expect 2–4 weeks of active construction time between permit approval and final inspection, longer if you get corrections.

Does Camas require a licensed contractor for bathroom remodels?

No, not always. Plumbing and electrical work must be done by licensed contractors in Washington State (or owner-builders for owner-occupied work), but general carpentry, tile, and fixture installation can be done by unlicensed handymen. Sewage ejectors must be installed by a licensed plumber. If you're hiring a general contractor, they can coordinate all the licensed subs and pull the master permit.

What if my bathroom drain location won't work with the existing stack?

If the new drain location is too far or too low relative to the existing main stack, you'll need a sewage ejector. This is a pump system that lifts wastewater to the main drain level. Cost is $2,500–$4,000 plus a separate permit and inspection. The ejector sump must be accessible for maintenance. Discuss this with your plumber early — it can significantly affect your budget and timeline.

Can I add exhaust ventilation to my bathroom without a permit?

If you're adding a new exhaust fan or moving an existing one, you need a permit. If you're just replacing an exhaust fan in the same location with the same ductwork, Camas may exempt it if the fan is the same CFM rating and you're not changing the duct routing. To be safe, ask the city before assuming — exhaust-fan changes are common resubmittal triggers because the duct routing or termination is not documented on the plan.

Is a Camas home inspection required before a bathroom remodel?

No home inspection is required by the city as a prerequisite for a permit. However, it's smart to hire a pre-remodel inspection (especially in older Camas homes, which may have outdated plumbing or electrical) to catch issues like lead paint, asbestos, or undersized drains before you start. This costs $300–$500 and can save thousands by catching problems early.

What happens if the plan reviewer finds defects in my submitted plans?

The city sends you a correction list (via email) within 3–4 weeks. You resubmit corrected plans; the second review is typically 1 week. Common rejections include: electrical plan missing GFCI detail, plumbing diagram missing trap-arm length, backer-board type not specified, exhaust duct termination not shown. Most projects go through one resubmittal cycle; some need two. The permit clock keeps ticking, so budget 5–6 weeks total before you can start construction.

Does Camas require a water-quality or safety inspection for bathroom work?

No separate water-quality inspection is required. Plumbing work is inspected for code compliance (trap seals, vent sizing, drain slope, fixture spacing), and the city inspector will verify that the work meets the 2015 IRC standards. If you're in a flood zone or critical area (common east of the Gorge), additional land-use permits may be required — contact the city to confirm your lot's overlay status before starting.

Disclaimer: This guide is based on research conducted in May 2026 using publicly available sources. Always verify current bathroom remodel (full) permit requirements with the City of Camas Building Department before starting your project.

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