Do I need a permit for a full bathroom remodel in
Plum, Pennsylvania?

You own a 1970s ranch in Plum and want to update the master bathroom: remove the old ceramic tile surround, install new porcelain tile over the existing drywall (no waterproofing membrane needed because the drywall beneath is staying), replace the vanity with a new one of the same footprint, install a new faucet on the existing sink, and add a new toilet seat. No drains are being moved, no new electrical circuits are being added, and the existing exhaust fan (20 years old but still functioning) is not being replaced. This is a surface-cosmetic remodel: no permit required. You can hire a tile contractor, a plumber to swap the faucet and toilet, and a handyperson to install the vanity, and none of them will need to coordinate with the Building Department. The tile work does not require a waterproofing inspection because the tile is being adhered directly to existing drywall that is already behind the tub surround; IRC R702.4.2 applies only to new assemblies. However, if the drywall is damaged during demo and you must replace it, that triggers a permit requirement (because new waterproofing would be installed), so inspect carefully before you commit. Total cost for this project: $3,500–$6,000 (tile, vanity, labor), zero permit fees.

You own a townhouse in Plum and want to reconfigure the master bathroom: move the toilet from the left wall to the right wall (new 3-inch drain and vent-stack routing), relocate the double sink to a different wall (new 1.5-inch supply and trap lines), install a new exhaust fan with ductwork terminating through the exterior wall (replacing the old soffit-mounted fan that vented into the attic), and add a new 240-volt heated towel rack on a dedicated 20-amp GFCI circuit. The existing tub/shower combination is staying in place. This is a full permit project: you must file for a building permit because the plumbing rough-in is being altered (toilet and sink relocation), a new electrical circuit is being added (towel rack), and the exhaust system is being upgraded. Plum Building Department will require a full set of plans including a floor plan showing old and new fixture locations, a plumbing isometric sketch with vent-stack heights and trap-arm slopes (verifying that no trap arm exceeds 6 feet of horizontal run per IRC P2706), an electrical panel schedule showing the new GFCI circuit, and a detail of the exhaust duct termination on the exterior. Estimated permit fee: $500–$700 (based on ~$15,000 project valuation). Expect 4-5 weeks for plan review; the most common hold-up is that the initial submission does not clearly show the vent-stack routing or the exhaust duct termination, requiring a resubmission. Plan for three inspections: rough plumbing (drain/vent installed, before walls), rough electrical (all circuits and boxes in, before drywall), and final (all fixtures live-tested). Lead-paint disclosure is required if the home was built before 1978.

You own a 1920s Plum home with a cramped alcove tub (3 walls, one side open to the bathroom). You want to rip out the tub, close off the open side with a wall frame, install a zero-threshold walk-in shower with a floor pan and glass enclosure, and relocate the drain to improve slope. The existing 2-inch drain arm slopes toward the stack at roughly 1/4 inch per foot, but the new drain will be repositioned slightly to accommodate the larger shower pan. This is a major permit project: tub-to-shower conversion always requires a permit because IRC R702.4.2 mandates a full waterproofing assembly on new shower surrounds (cement board + waterproof membrane, or an equivalent pre-manufactured system), the drain relocation requires rough-plumbing inspection, the wall framing requires framing inspection, and the lead-paint rules are strict for pre-1978 homes. The Plum Building Department will require a detailed plan set: bathroom floor plan with existing and proposed dimensions, plumbing isometric sketch showing the new drain slope and vent connection, a section detail of the shower waterproofing assembly (including the specific membrane brand or system, the substrate, and the transition to the floor pan), electrical plan (if adding outlets or exhaust), and a lead-paint disclosure certification. The permit fee will be $600–$800 (assuming $20,000–$25,000 project valuation). Plan for 5-6 weeks of review; the most frequent resubmission issue is an incomplete waterproofing detail — many homeowners omit the membrane spec or don't clarify whether the floor pan is integrated or separate from the wall assembly. Plum inspectors will want to see the membrane product documentation on-site at rough-plumbing inspection. Three inspections are mandatory: rough plumbing, framing (for the new wall), and final (waterproofing assembly exposed before tile, then final with all finishes). Lead-safe work practices are required throughout: HEPA-vac the old drywall during demo, wet-clean all surfaces, dispose of debris in sealed bags. Total project cost: $22,000–$28,000 (including permit, labor, materials, lead-safe practices). The zero-threshold pan may require a slight floor-level adjustment in the bathroom, adding cost if the floor framing is inadequate for the new load and drainage.