Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel FAQ

Architectural

Final bathroom ceiling height shall be not less than 6 feet, 8 inches. CRC R305.1

Bathroom glazing located within 60” horizontally from the tub/shower, and with a sill lower than 60“above the standing surface, shall be tempered glass. CRC R308.4 

Mechanical

New environmental air ducts, vents and exhaust ducts shall not terminate less than 3 feet from a property line or opening into the building; and shall also be located at least 10 feet from a forced air inlet. CMC 502.2.1

An exhaust fan shall be provided near the tub and/or shower that is separate from a fan in a water closet enclosure that has a door. The enclosure’s fan will be rendered ineffective at controlling humidity with the door shut. CRC R303.3.1

Electrical

Light fixtures located within 3 feet horizontally and 8 feet vertically of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold shall be listed for a damp location, or listed for wet locations where subject to shower spray. CEC 410.10(D)

Bathroom receptacles shall comply with the following requirements:

At least one dedicated 20-amp circuit shall serve the bathroom outlets. CEC 210.11(C)(3) 

At least one receptacle shall be located within 3 feet of the outside edge of each basin and on the wall that is adjacent to the basin. CEC 210.52(D)

All receptacles shall be GFCI-protected and tamper-resistant. CEC 210.8(A)(1) and 406.12

All knob and tube wiring that is exposed when walls are opened is to be removed back to the attic or under floor accessible spaces and spliced in a junction box with Romex, or other approved wiring method, to be run back to the original location. Knob and tube boxes must be replaced to accommodate new wiring type. 

No electrical panels shall be located in the bathroom. CEC 240.24(E)

Plumbing

Proposed shower improvements shall comply with the following:

When replacing a tub with a shower, the drainpipe diameter shall be at least 2” and maintain the minimum 2” drain system to the sewer system. CPC 702.1

A proposed enclosure door shall open to maintain not less than a 22-inch unobstructed egress opening. CPC 408.5

A new shower compartment shall have a minimum finished interior of 1,024 in2 and shall be capable of encompassing 30-inch circle. These dimensions shall be maintained to a point of not less than 70 inches above the shower. CPC 408.6

Compartment walls shall be finished with a nonabsorbent surface (e.g., ceramic tile, fiberglass, etc.) over a moisture resistant underlayment (e.g., water resistant gypsum board, green board, etc.) to a height of 6 feet above the floor. WR gyp board shall be permitted on ceilings. WR gyp board shall not be installed over Class I or II vapor retarder in a shower or tub compartment. CRC R307.2 and R702.3.7

Proposed or relocated water closets shall be located in a minimum 30” wide clear space, no closer than 15 inches from the center to the sidewall, with 24” clear in front of the water closet. CPC 402.5

Plumbing waste vents shall terminate not less than 10 feet from, or not less than 3 feet above, an openable window, door, opening, air intake or vent shaft, or not less than 3 feet in every direction from a lot line, alley and street excepted. CPC 906.2

Provide individual control valves of the pressure balance, thermostatic or combination pressure/balance/ thermostatic mixing valve type. These shall be installed at the point of use in accordance with ASSE 1016 or ASME A112.1016/CSA B125.16 or ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. CPC 408.3

T-24 Energy

Recessed luminaries shall be IC- and AT- rated, accessible from below the ceiling and JA8 compliant. CA Energy Code 150.0(k)1C

A vacancy sensor shall control at least one luminaire in each bathroom. CA Energy Code 150.0(k)2J

Most LED lighting is NOT high efficacy. All high efficacy lighting (fluorescent, LED) and GU-24 lamp holders shall be listed by Energy Commission and shall meet the requirement of Energy Code Table 150.0-A.

CALGreen

Bathroom exhaust fans shall be energy star-rated with a minimum 50 cfm (intermittent) or 20 cfm (continuous) venting directly to the outside, with humidity (50-80%) control. CRC R303.3.1 and CGBSC 4.506.1

Plumbing fixtures shall comply with the prescriptive maximum flow rates required by CALGreen 4.303.1:

Showerheads ≤1.8 gallon per minute (gpm) @ 80psi

Lavatory faucet ≤1.2 gpm @ 60psi

Water closet ≤1.28 gallons per flush

When a shower is served by more than one showerhead, the combined flow rate of all showerheads and/or other shower outlets controlled by a single valve shall not exceed 1.8 gallons per minute at 80 psi, or the shower shall be designed to allow only one shower outlet to be in operation at a time. CALGreen 4.303.1.3.2

Structural

Bathroom alterations typically do not involve structural changes. However, the following shall be considered when applicable:

Load bearing wall changes

Specifications and details for new wall framing and top/sole plate connections

Wider window openings

Mechanical

New environmental air ducts, vents and exhaust ducts shall not terminate less than 3 feet from a property line or opening into the building; and shall also be located at least 10 feet from a forced air inlet. CMC 502.2.1

If proposed, a new kitchen exhaust fan shall be comply with the minimum exhaust rates prescribed in CMC Table 403.7

Electrical

Kitchen receptacle shall comply with the following requirements:

Those serving kitchen counter tops shall be GFCI/AFCI protected and tamper resistant. CEC 210.8(A)(6), 210.12(A) and 406.12

For kitchen and dining area counter spaces wider than 12,” no such point along the counter wall shall be over 24” from a receptacle. CEC 210-52(c)

Countertop receptacles shall be located no more than 18” above the counter surface, and cannot be installed face-up. CEC 210-8(a) (7) and 210-52(c) (5)

A kitchen island and/or peninsula counter shall have at least one receptacle mounted not more than 12” below the countertop, and shall not be located where the countertop extends more than 6” beyond its support base. CEC 210-52(c) (2), 210-52(c) (3), and 210-52(c) (5) exception

Two or more small appliance branch circuits are required for the kitchen and are limited to supplying wall and counter space outlets for the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room or similar areas, including the refrigerator. Note: These circuits cannot serve outside plugs, range hood, disposals, dishwashers or microwaves. CEC 210-11(C)(1) and 210-52 (B)

All knob and tube wiring that is exposed when walls are opened is to be removed back to the attic or under floor accessible spaces and spliced in a junction box with Romex, or other approved wiring method, to be run back to the original location. Knob and tube boxes must be replaced to accommodate new wiring type.

Plumbing

A proposed kitchen island sink requires an island fixture (i.e., loop) vent. CPC 909.

Plumbing waste vents shall terminate not less than 10 feet from, or not less than 3 feet above, an openable window, door, opening, air intake or vent shaft, or not less than 3 feet in every direction from a lot line, alley and street excepted. CPC 906.2

T-24 Energy

Recessed luminaries shall be IC- and AT- rated, accessible from below the ceiling and JA8 compliant. CA Energy Code 150.0(k)1C

Most LED lighting is NOT high efficacy. All high efficacy lighting (fluorescent, LED) and GU-24 lamp holders shall be listed by Energy Commission and shall meet the requirement of Energy Code Table 150.0-A.

CALGreen

Kitchen and utility faucets shall have a maximum flow rate of ≤1.8 gpm @ 60psi per CALGreen 4.303.1.

Structural

Kitchen alterations typically do not involve structural changes. However, the following shall be considered if applicable:

Load bearing wall changes

Specifications and details for new wall framing and top/sole plate connections

Wider window openings