Do I need a permit for a full bathroom remodel in
West Bend, Wisconsin?

You're replacing an aging pedestal sink with a new vanity (still 30 inches wide, same rough-in location), replacing the toilet with an identical model, and re-tiling the walls and floor. No electrical work, no plumbing relocation, no structural changes. Under West Bend code, this is exempt from permitting because it's purely cosmetic replacement in-place — the drain lines, vent stack, and supply lines remain untouched, and the new fixtures connect to the existing rough-ins. The waterproofing behind the old tile is considered adequate (you're not changing the wall assembly). However, if the old tile removal reveals moisture damage, rotten substrate, or mold, you may discover that the waterproofing membrane behind the old cement board failed, and a full tear-out becomes necessary — at that point, you'd need to assess whether the work crosses into permit territory. This scenario is common in West Bend because the climate-zone-6A soil and 48-inch frost depth create basement moisture issues (common in older homes), and homeowners often postpone bathroom updates until water damage forces the issue. Cost: $3,000–$8,000 for vanity, toilet, tile, labor, and disposal. No permit fees.

You're gutting the bathroom, relocating the toilet 4 feet to the left and the sink 6 feet to the right, converting the existing tub to a walk-in shower, and installing a new 20-amp GFCI circuit for the bathroom. This requires a permit. The plumbing relocation triggers drain-line rerouting, trap-arm slope calculations (must be 1/4 inch per foot, trap-arm length not to exceed 6 feet without secondary vent), and a vent-stack assessment — all of which must be drawn on the plumbing plan and approved before rough-in. The tub-to-shower conversion requires a waterproofing-assembly specification (cement board plus membrane, or equivalent); the contractor must detail the shower base (pre-fab pan or mortar bed with membrane), drain sizing (3 inches), and trim (pressure-balanced valve required per IRC P2708.4). The new GFCI circuit must be shown on a one-line electrical diagram with the 20-amp breaker, GFCI outlet or breaker-integrated GFCI protection, and confirmation that all outlets within 6 feet of the sink are GFCI-protected. West Bend's 48-inch frost depth means the relocated drain must be routed above the slab (preferred) or frost-protected below-grade — this is a critical detail because glacial-till clay soil in the area is prone to frost heave, and a drain line that isn't frost-protected will shift and fail within 2-3 winters. Cost: $18,000–$35,000 depending on finishes (tile, fixtures, structural changes). Permit fee: $350–$600 (typically 1.5% of valuation, plus $25 base). Plan review: 2-4 weeks. Inspections: rough plumbing (check drain routing, trap-arm slope, vent placement), rough electrical (GFCI circuits), final (verify all connections, waterproofing behind shower walls before tile).

You're removing a wall between a small bathroom and an adjacent bedroom (or closet space) to create an open, larger bathroom layout. The wall is load-bearing — the second floor sits above it — which means you need a structural engineer's assessment and a beam detail on the permit plan. You're also adding a new exhaust fan with 4-inch duct routed to the attic and vented through the roof, plus a new 20-amp circuit dedicated to the exhaust fan and vanity lighting. This is a major permit scenario requiring structural plans, electrical one-line diagram showing the new circuit and GFCI protection (all outlets within 6 feet of sink), and plumbing details if any fixtures are relocated as part of the expansion. The exhaust-fan duct must be sized to match the fan CFM rating (typically 50-100 CFM for a bathroom), and the ductwork cannot be flexible soft duct longer than 25 feet without a transition to rigid (hard) duct; in West Bend's climate, rigid duct from the fan to the roof is preferred because attic condensation in zone 6A can freeze and block flexible ducting in winter. The duct termination must be shown on the roof plan with a rain hood and proper slope. Structural engineering costs $800–$2,000 for the beam design. Cost: $25,000–$50,000+ depending on finishes and structural complexity. Permit fee: $500–$900 (typically 1.5% of valuation, plus base fee). Plan review: 3-5 weeks (structural review adds time). Inspections: structural framing (verify beam installation and bearing), rough electrical, rough plumbing (if applicable), rough mechanical (exhaust-fan duct and termination), final. This scenario showcases West Bend's structural and mechanical code requirements that often surprise homeowners who are comparing quotes to adjacent municipalities — the exhaust-fan duct routing and attic ventilation interaction in zone 6A is specific to this climate zone.