Do I need a permit for a full bathroom remodel in
Cottonwood Heights, Utah?

You want to install a new exhaust fan with ducting to the exterior soffit and add two GFCI-protected receptacles on the bathroom wall. The toilet, sink, and tub remain in their original locations. Even though you are not moving plumbing fixtures, Cottonwood Heights requires a permit because you are adding a new exhaust fan and modifying electrical circuits. Cottonwood Heights Building Department will require a submitted plan showing: (1) exhaust fan CFM rating (must meet or exceed 50 CFM for your 40 sq ft bathroom per IRC M1505); (2) duct route from the fan to the exterior termination (cannot terminate into soffit per current code — must exit wall or roof); (3) electrical plan showing GFCI receptacle locations and the new 20-amp circuit breaker assignment. The city will conduct a rough-electrical inspection before drywall is closed (to verify wire routing and breaker connections) and a final inspection to confirm the fan is operating and receptacles are functioning. Timeline: 2-3 weeks for plan review, 1-2 weeks for construction, 2-3 inspections total. No HVAC ductwork calculations are required because a bathroom fan is not classified as HVAC per se. The fan duct cannot be shared with a dryer vent or range hood per IRC M1505.4.2. Cost: permit $300–$400, fan and duct $200–$600, electrician labor $400–$800 (if licensed contractor), total project cost $1,000–$2,000.

You are replacing a 1980s bathtub with a modern walk-in shower. The new shower will be installed 2 feet to the left of the old tub location, requiring a new drain line and vent-stack connection. The bathroom is on an exterior wall (north-facing, high-altitude Cottonwood Heights foothills). This is a full-scope remodel and requires a permit. Cottonwood Heights will demand: (1) a detailed waterproofing plan per IRC R702.4.2 — you must specify the exact assembly (e.g., cement board + RedGard liquid membrane + ceramic tile, or a pre-formed shower pan system such as Schluter Kerdi); generic 'waterproof membrane' language will be rejected. (2) A plumbing plan showing the new drain route, trap location (must be within 24 inches of the vent stack per IRC P2706), and slope calculations (1/4 inch per foot minimum). (3) A structural note confirming that no load-bearing studs are being cut to reroute the drain. (4) Because this home is on an exterior wall in the foothills (higher frost depth risk and potential seismic impact from Wasatch Fault), the inspector may request verification that the new drain does not compromise foundation or exterior wall integrity. Lead-paint notification is required if the home was built before 1978. Inspections: rough plumbing (drain/trap), rough electrical (if adding outlets), framing (if wall is opened), waterproofing (before tile is set), and final. Timeline: 3-4 weeks plan review (due to waterproofing scrutiny), 3-4 weeks construction, 4-5 inspections, total 7-9 weeks. If waterproofing details are incomplete on first submission, add 1-2 weeks for resubmittal. Cost: permit $400–$600, demolition $600–$1,200, plumbing rework $1,200–$2,000, waterproofing materials and installation $800–$1,500, tile and finish $1,500–$3,000, total project cost $4,500–$8,300.

You are combining a small 1980s bathroom with an adjacent bedroom closet, removing the wall between them to create a larger 12x10 bathroom. This requires relocation of the entire plumbing stack (toilet, sink, and tub drain must relocate to the new wall configuration), new electrical rough-in, and structural changes. This is the most complex bathroom remodel scenario and requires a permit plus a structural engineer's stamp because Cottonwood Heights is in a Wasatch Fault-adjacent seismic zone. You must submit: (1) A structural engineer's letter or drawing confirming that the wall being removed is not load-bearing, OR if it is load-bearing, showing a beam design to carry the load across the new opening. (2) A complete plumbing plan showing the new drain stack, vent routing, trap locations, and cleanout access. (3) A new electrical plan showing all outlet, switch, and lighting locations, plus GFCI and AFCI protection. (4) A waterproofing plan for any new shower or tub (if applicable). (5) Framing details showing how the new wall configuration will support plumbing and ductwork. Cottonwood Heights Building Department will likely require that this application go through full plan-review (not over-the-counter), adding 2-4 weeks to the timeline. The structural engineer fee will add $400–$800. Inspections include framing (before any plumbing is roughed in), rough plumbing, rough electrical, drywall, waterproofing, and final — expect 5-6 inspections over 6-8 weeks. If the wall is load-bearing and a beam is required, a separate footing/foundation inspection may be needed. Cost: permit $500–$800, structural engineer $400–$800, contractor labor $3,000–$6,000, materials (framing, plumbing, electrical) $2,000–$4,000, finishes $2,000–$4,000, total project cost $8,000–$16,000.