Bathroom Remodel Permit in Holladay, UT (2026)

Research by DoINeedAPermit Research Team · Updated May 2026

The Short Answer

Most full bathroom remodels in Holladay require a permit. If you're moving any plumbing fixture, adding electrical circuits, installing a new exhaust fan, or converting a tub to shower, you must pull a permit with the City of Holladay Building Department.

Holladay enforces the 2024 International Residential Code with local amendments that emphasize seismic compliance (proximity to Wasatch Fault) and water-conserving fixture standards unique to Salt Lake County's drought-prone climate. The city's online permit portal (accessible through Holladay's website) requires electronic plan submission for all bathroom work that involves fixture relocation, electrical work, or exhaust ducting — unlike some neighboring municipalities that still accept over-the-counter permits for minor remodels. Holladay's Building Department also requires a certified plumber or licensed contractor for any work involving drain relocation; owner-builder permits are available for owner-occupied homes but do not exempt you from code compliance or inspections. The city's plan review typically takes 2–3 weeks for standard bathroom remodels, and inspections are mandatory at rough plumbing, rough electrical, and final stages. Surface-only work — swapping out a vanity, toilet, or faucet in place — does not require a permit, but the moment you move a fixture or add a new circuit, the project crosses the threshold.

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

Stop-work orders in Holladay carry fines of $500–$1,500, plus the city can mandate removal of non-code work at your expense (typical range $2,000–$8,000 for a bathroom gut).
Insurance claims for water damage (burst pipes, mold from improper exhaust ducting) may be denied if the work was unpermitted and caused the loss.
Selling your home triggers a title search; unpermitted bathroom work must be disclosed on the Utah Real Estate Disclosure Statement, reducing buyer confidence and appraisal value by 5–15%.
Refinancing or securing a home equity line of credit becomes difficult or impossible if the lender discovers unpermitted electrical or plumbing work during appraisal.

Holladay bathroom remodel permits — the key details

The threshold is fixture relocation, not fixture replacement. Under Holladay's adoption of the 2024 IRC, if your bathroom remodel involves moving any plumbing fixture (toilet, sink, shower, tub) to a new location — even a few feet — you must obtain a permit. The same applies if you're adding a new electrical circuit, installing a dedicated exhaust fan with ducting, or converting a tub to a shower (because the waterproofing assembly changes). If you're replacing an existing vanity, toilet, or faucet in its original location with the same fixture type, no permit is required. However, upgrading to a new faucet with a different supply-line configuration, or replacing a standard toilet with a low-flow model that requires new rough-in plumbing, still triggers the permit threshold. Holladay's Building Department interprets 'moving fixtures' broadly to include any reconfiguration of supply lines, drain lines, or vent stacks. This is important because many homeowners believe a full cosmetic gut (new tile, new vanity, new mirror) without relocation is exempt — it is, if and only if the plumbing and electrical remain in place.

Exhaust fan installation and ducting is heavily regulated in Holladay due to the city's high altitude (Holladay sits at 4,200–5,000 feet depending on neighborhood) and Wasatch Front climate patterns that produce dry winters and spring allergen loads. IRC M1505 requires exhaust fans to be ducted to the exterior (not to the attic) with a minimum duct diameter of 4 inches, sealed joints, and a backdraft damper. Holladay's local amendments require a continuous, rigid or semi-rigid duct (not flex duct coiled in loops) and documentation of the duct termination on the roof plan — a frequent point of rejection in plan review. If you're installing a new exhaust fan or replacing an existing one with a larger unit or relocating the duct termination, a permit is required and the plan must show the duct route, diameter, termination location, and damper type. Many contractors in the Wasatch area install flex duct with tight bends thinking it's acceptable; Holladay's inspectors flag this and require re-work. The city also requires the exhaust fan to be wired on a dedicated 20-amp circuit with GFCI protection, which ties into the electrical permit requirement.

Electrical code in Holladay bathrooms is strict and often the source of plan rejections. IRC E3902 and 2024 NEC Article 210 require all bathroom receptacles (outlets) to be on a dedicated 20-amp branch circuit, protected by a GFCI device (either a GFCI breaker or GFCI receptacle), and located at least 6 feet from the tub or shower. If your remodel involves adding a new circuit for a heated towel rack, exhaust fan, or vanity lighting, the electrical plan must clearly show the GFCI protection method, the circuit breaker size, and the location of all outlets relative to the tub/shower. Holladay's plan review process will not approve electrical work without this level of detail. Additionally, if your bathroom is above an unfinished basement or crawl space, the city may require AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) protection on the bathroom lighting circuit as well — check with the Building Department. Many DIY-oriented homeowners or unlicensed electricians miss these requirements and end up re-pulling permits after inspection failure.

Waterproofing for tub and shower conversions is a critical code requirement that Holladay enforces rigorously. IRC R702.4.2 specifies that the wall assembly behind a tub or shower must be waterproofed with either a water-resistive barrier (cement board + membrane) or a prefabricated waterproofing system (such as a pre-sloped shower pan). Holladay's plan review requires the applicant to specify the waterproofing method in writing — just stating 'ceramic tile' is not sufficient. If you're converting a tub alcove to a walk-in shower, or removing a shower and installing a tub, the waterproofing assembly must be detailed on the plan or specified by the contractor in a written scope. This is not a cosmetic detail; it's the barrier that prevents water from penetrating into the framing and insulation, leading to mold and structural damage. The city's inspectors will ask to see the membrane or confirm the cement board was installed before drywall. If the plan doesn't address waterproofing, the review will come back with a rejection notice asking for clarification.

Plumbing trap and vent stack rules apply when you relocate fixtures. IRC P2706 limits the length of a trap arm (the horizontal run between a fixture and the trap) to 3 feet for a sink and 4 feet for a toilet or shower; exceeding this length requires an auxiliary vent. If your bathroom remodel moves a toilet 10 feet from its original rough-in, and the existing drain is not positioned to accommodate the new location within code limits, you'll need to relocate the vent stack or install a new one. This is expensive (typically $1,500–$3,500 for a new vent through the roof) and often a surprise to homeowners. The plumbing plan (which is part of the permit application) must show the trap arm length, the vent routing, and compliance with IRC P3005 (sizing of vent stacks). Holladay's inspectors verify this during the rough plumbing inspection before drywall goes up. Additionally, Holladay is in a seismic zone near the Wasatch Fault; the code requires all plumbing supply and drain lines to be adequately supported and secured to the framing — strapping every 4 feet for water lines, and hangers every 10 feet for drain lines. These requirements often go overlooked but are mandatory inspections points.

Three Holladay bathroom remodel (full) scenarios

Scenario A

Vanity and toilet swap in place, new tile, new mirror — Holladay South

You're renovating a 1970s bathroom in Holladay South (near Cottonwood Canyon) with cosmetic updates: removing the old vanity and installing a new one in the same footprint, replacing the toilet with a modern low-flow model at the same rough-in location, and retiling the floor and walls. No electrical circuits are added, the exhaust fan remains in place, and no plumbing lines are moved. This work does not require a permit under Holladay code because you're not relocating fixtures or changing the building's mechanical systems. You can proceed without a permit, but you should use a licensed plumber to verify that the new toilet's wax ring and bolts are properly installed, and that the new vanity's P-trap aligns with the existing drain stub. Cost is purely material and labor: new vanity ($600–$2,000), toilet ($200–$600), tile ($1,500–$4,000), and labor ($3,000–$8,000). Total project: $5,300–$14,600. No permit fees, no inspections, no plan review. However, if the new vanity requires moving the supply lines more than a few inches laterally (e.g., the cabinet is slightly wider and supply lines must be extended or rerouted in the wall), that crosses the threshold and you need a permit. Ask the installer in advance whether any drain/supply relocation is needed.

No permit required (fixtures in place) | Licensed plumber recommended | Vanity + toilet + tile labor | Total $5,300–$14,600 | No permit fees

Scenario B

Moving toilet 8 feet, adding new exhaust duct, GFCI circuits — Holladay Canyon rim neighborhood

You're remodeling a 1960s bathroom in a home on the Holladay Canyon rim (higher elevation, 4,800+ feet) where the existing toilet is positioned in a corner and you want to move it to the opposite wall near the door for better flow. You're also adding a larger exhaust fan with rigid duct termination on the roof, and upgrading the electrical with a dedicated 20-amp GFCI circuit for the vanity area and a second circuit for a heated towel rack. This project requires a full permit because you're relocating the toilet (which requires re-routing the drain and vent stack), adding electrical circuits, and installing a new exhaust system. The permit application must include a plumbing plan showing the trap arm length (which must be under 4 feet from toilet to trap, per IRC P2706), the vent stack routing (likely requiring a new vent pipe through the roof or tie-in to an existing stack), and the exhaust duct path with roof termination clearly shown. The electrical plan must detail the GFCI protection, circuit breaker size, and outlet locations. Expected plan review time: 2–3 weeks. Expected cost: permit fee of $350–$600 (based on estimated project valuation of $12,000–$18,000); plumbing work including drain relocation and vent routing, $3,500–$6,000; electrical work for the circuits and GFCI breaker, $1,200–$2,500; exhaust fan and ducting, $800–$1,800; tile, fixtures, vanity, and labor, $4,000–$9,000. Total project: $10,000–$19,000 plus permit fees. Inspections occur at rough plumbing (verify trap arm and vent), rough electrical (confirm GFCI wiring and circuits), and final (all fixtures in, exhaust fan operational, duct damper functional). Timeline: 4–6 weeks from permit approval to final sign-off, depending on inspector availability.

Scenario C

Tub-to-shower conversion with waterproofing detail, same fixture locations — Holladay central (historic area near Holladay Blvd)

You're converting a built-in tub alcove to a walk-in shower in a 1980s home in central Holladay (near Holladay Boulevard in the historic neighborhood), keeping the toilet and vanity in their original locations. The existing tub sits in a standard alcove with drywall walls; you plan to remove it, install a large format tile floor with a curb-less drain, and tile three walls with a waterproofing membrane system (e.g., Schluter or Kerdi). The fixture supply lines and drain remain in place, but the waterproofing assembly changes from a tub surround to a shower assembly, which triggers the permit requirement under IRC R702.4.2. The key issue is that Holladay's plan review requires the waterproofing method to be specified in advance — you cannot just tile over drywall. The permit application must include a written specification stating the waterproofing system (cement board + liquid membrane, sheet membrane, or prefabricated pan system), the slope of the shower floor (minimum 1/4 inch per foot toward the drain), and the drain type (linear, center, corner). The plan review will verify this before you pull the drywall. Expected permit fee: $250–$500 (project valuation typically $6,000–$12,000 for labor and materials). Expected timeline: 2 weeks for plan review (waterproofing specification is usually straightforward). Plumbing inspection at rough stage to verify drain slope and supply-line support. Final inspection to confirm tile installation over the specified membrane, drain operation, and all caulk and sealant joints. The city's inspectors are familiar with walk-in shower conversions and rarely reject this work if the waterproofing system is clearly specified and photographs are provided during rough phase. Cost breakdown: permit fee $250–$500, waterproofing material and labor $2,500–$4,500, tile and grout $1,500–$3,500, new drain and rough-in labor $1,000–$2,000, final labor and caulk $1,000–$2,000. Total project: $6,250–$12,500 including permit. Inspections: rough (drain slope, waterproofing substrate), final (full installation, drain function). Timeline: 3–4 weeks from permit approval to close-out.

Every project is different.

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Holladay's seismic and water-conservation code amendments

Holladay's Building Department uses an online permit portal that requires electronic submission of all plans and documentation. Unlike some Salt Lake County municipalities that still accept walk-in submittals or faxed plans, Holladay requires applicants to create an account on the city's portal, upload PDF plans, and submit the application electronically. This streamlines review but can be frustrating if you're not tech-savvy or if your contractor is old-school. The portal provides real-time status updates on plan review, rejection notices, and inspection scheduling. Plan review typically takes 2–3 weeks; if there are rejections (e.g., waterproofing system not specified, trap arm length exceeded, GFCI protection not shown), you'll receive a detailed list and must resubmit before review continues. The city does not allow one-on-one plan review phone calls; all communication is through the portal. This means if you have a question about code interpretation, you must submit a written request and wait 1–3 business days for a response. For complex remodels (especially ones involving vent stack relocation or seismic bracing details), it's worth hiring a designer or engineer to prepare the plans; the cost ($800–$1,500 for a bathroom remodel plan set) is often worth avoiding multiple rejection cycles and delays.

Permit fees and typical timelines for Holladay bathroom remodels

Timeline expectations for a permitted bathroom remodel in Holladay typically follow this sequence: Week 1, submit permit application with plans via the online portal (1–2 hours to set up account and upload); Week 2–3, plan review (Holladay targets 2–3 weeks for routine projects, longer if there are rejections); Week 4, if approved, schedule rough plumbing inspection (coordinated through the portal, typically 1–2 weeks out); Week 5–6, rough plumbing inspection occurs (1–2 hours, inspector verifies drain routing, vent stack, trap arm length, and seismic strapping); same week, rough electrical inspection (1–2 hours, verifies GFCI and AFCI circuits, outlet locations, breaker panel labeling); Week 6–8, finishes (tile, vanity, fixtures) are installed; Week 8–9, final inspection is scheduled (1–2 hours, inspector verifies all fixtures in place, drains flowing, exhaust fan operational, caulk and sealant complete, waterproofing membrane confirmed if applicable). Upon passing final, the permit is closed and you can request a certificate of occupancy if needed. Total elapsed time from application to sign-off: 6–10 weeks, depending on plan review rejections and inspector availability. Delays are most common during March–May and September–November (peak remodeling seasons in Utah). Submitting your permit application in January or July sometimes results in faster review.

City of Holladay Building Department
4620 South Holladay Boulevard, Holladay, UT 84117
Phone: (801) 272-7511 (main city line; ask for Building Department) | https://www.holladay.org (navigate to 'Permits' or 'Building Department' for portal access)
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed holidays)

Common questions

Do I need a permit to replace a bathroom faucet or showerhead in Holladay?

No, replacing a faucet or showerhead in place does not require a permit. However, if the replacement requires moving supply lines, adding new shut-off valves in a different location, or changing the valve type (e.g., swapping a single-handle for a pressure-balanced valve), you should verify with the Building Department. Also, any new showerhead installed in Holladay must be WaterSense certified (2.0 GPM or lower); if you install a non-compliant fixture and it's inspected during a future permit, the city may require replacement.

Can I do a full bathroom remodel myself as an owner-builder in Holladay?

Yes, Holladay allows owner-builder permits for owner-occupied homes. However, you are responsible for obtaining the permit, submitting plans, scheduling inspections, and ensuring all work meets code. Electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician (you cannot pull an owner-builder electrical permit in Utah); plumbing can be done by the owner if you obtain an owner-plumber license or hire a licensed plumber. It's strongly recommended to hire licensed professionals for plumbing and electrical work, as code violations discovered during inspection can be costly to fix.

What is the most common reason Holladay rejects bathroom remodel plans in plan review?

The most frequent rejections are: (1) waterproofing system not specified for tub-to-shower conversions (the plan must state cement board + membrane, sheet membrane, or prefabricated pan system); (2) exhaust fan duct termination not shown on the plan (must be clearly marked on the roof plan); (3) GFCI protection not detailed on the electrical plan (must show which receptacle or breaker is GFCI-protected); (4) trap arm length not verified (if a drain is moved, the plan must show the distance from fixture to trap, maximum 4 feet for toilet). Submit detailed plans with dimensions, material specifications, and electrical schematics to reduce rejection risk.

How much does a bathroom permit cost in Holladay?

Permit fees are 1.5–2% of estimated project valuation. A typical full bathroom remodel ($8,000–$20,000) costs $150–$500 in permit fees. The Building Department calculates the valuation based on a signed contractor estimate or owner-provided scope of work. Owner-builder permits are lower ($50–$150) but do not exempt you from code compliance.

If I move a toilet but keep the exhaust fan and electrical in place, do I need a permit in Holladay?

Yes. Moving any plumbing fixture (toilet, sink, shower, tub) to a new location requires a permit in Holladay, even if electrical and ventilation remain the same. The permit is needed to verify that the drain routing, vent stack, and trap arm length comply with code. Expect a permit fee of $150–$350 and 2–3 weeks for plan review.

What happens during the rough plumbing inspection for a bathroom remodel?

The inspector verifies that drain lines are pitched correctly (1/4 inch per foot minimum for shower drains), trap arms do not exceed 3–4 feet, vent stacks are properly sized and routed, all lines are adequately supported with seismic strapping every 4 feet, and no cross-connections between potable and non-potable lines exist. The inspection typically takes 1–2 hours. If violations are found, you must fix them and request a re-inspection (no additional fee) before drywall goes up.

Do I need a permit for a heated towel rack or new bathroom lighting fixture in Holladay?

A heated towel rack that plugs into an existing outlet does not require a permit. However, if you're hardwiring a heated towel rack to a new dedicated circuit (which is recommended for safety), you need an electrical permit and the circuit must be on a dedicated 20-amp GFCI-protected breaker. New lighting fixtures wired to existing circuits do not require a permit; new lighting on a new circuit does. When in doubt, contact the Building Department via the online portal.

Can I install a shower in an area that previously had no plumbing in Holladay?

Installing a new shower fixture (converting dry space to wet space) requires a full permit because you're adding plumbing, electrical (exhaust fan), and waterproofing. This is a more complex project than a standard remodel and will require a licensed plumber to rough-in supply and drain lines, a licensed electrician to add the GFCI circuits and exhaust duct, and detailed waterproofing plans. Expect a permit fee of $300–$600 and plan review time of 3–4 weeks.

What are Holladay's requirements for bathroom exhaust fans?

All bathrooms in Holladay must have exhaust fans or operable windows (per IRC M1505). The fan must be ducted to the exterior (not the attic) with a minimum 4-inch diameter, continuous rigid or semi-rigid duct, sealed joints, and a backdraft damper. The duct termination must be shown on the roof plan submitted with the permit. Installation of a new exhaust fan or relocation of an existing duct termination requires a permit and rough electrical inspection.

Are there any lead paint hazards I should know about for older bathroom remodels in Holladay?

If your home was built before 1978, lead paint may be present. The EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) Rule applies to all residential projects that disturb paint in pre-1978 homes. While this is a federal rule (not Holladay-specific), Holladay's building inspectors are trained to identify lead paint hazards. It's recommended to hire a lead-certified contractor for any work that involves sanding, grinding, or removing painted surfaces in older bathrooms. Lead testing and disclosure are the homeowner's responsibility but can affect insurance and resale liability.

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 Holladay Building Department before starting your project.

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