Bluegrass Picker
Member
Hi,
I am going to move a toilet in my bathroom and install a shower where the toilet originally was.
I would very much like to pull a building permit and be totally legal, but in the small space of my existing bathroom I will be unable to conform to modern code in areas that are not major structural or plumbing issues.
The distance from wall to center of the toilet flange on both sides will be 14 inches instead of 15. I cannot fudge and get an additional two inches of space.
Also my light switches might be closer to the shower than what code allows. Again, due to the existing construction, there is very little wiggle room to try to conform to code.
My intention is to have the entire construction of the bathroom remodel be as much up to code as is absolutely practical, permit or no permit, such as proper plumbing/venting/construction etc. but if it has to absolutely meet code in absolutely every area, there's no way the project can be done. I'm rather experienced in construction (not pro) and I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, so it won't be a throw-it-together hack job, and when I get it done it will be the last part of the house to go down if there's ever an earthquake around here....
What will happen to me if I don't have the permit and go to resell or if somehow they knock on my door and ask to see my permit? My concern is that once I call city hall and ask them these questions, it will open a door that I cannot go back and close.
Finally, when an inspector makes and inspection, does he make notes of other areas in the house that are not up to code and require that they be updated? The house was built in the 60's and there have been a few remodels in the basement that don't fully meet current code. He would probably be in the basement to inspect the plumbing in the bathroom above. Again, nothing major, just issues like the romex not being routed through the joists, but stapled to them, water heater direct on the slab, etc. etc.
Thanks for your help.
Bluegrass Picker
I am going to move a toilet in my bathroom and install a shower where the toilet originally was.
I would very much like to pull a building permit and be totally legal, but in the small space of my existing bathroom I will be unable to conform to modern code in areas that are not major structural or plumbing issues.
The distance from wall to center of the toilet flange on both sides will be 14 inches instead of 15. I cannot fudge and get an additional two inches of space.
Also my light switches might be closer to the shower than what code allows. Again, due to the existing construction, there is very little wiggle room to try to conform to code.
My intention is to have the entire construction of the bathroom remodel be as much up to code as is absolutely practical, permit or no permit, such as proper plumbing/venting/construction etc. but if it has to absolutely meet code in absolutely every area, there's no way the project can be done. I'm rather experienced in construction (not pro) and I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, so it won't be a throw-it-together hack job, and when I get it done it will be the last part of the house to go down if there's ever an earthquake around here....
What will happen to me if I don't have the permit and go to resell or if somehow they knock on my door and ask to see my permit? My concern is that once I call city hall and ask them these questions, it will open a door that I cannot go back and close.
Finally, when an inspector makes and inspection, does he make notes of other areas in the house that are not up to code and require that they be updated? The house was built in the 60's and there have been a few remodels in the basement that don't fully meet current code. He would probably be in the basement to inspect the plumbing in the bathroom above. Again, nothing major, just issues like the romex not being routed through the joists, but stapled to them, water heater direct on the slab, etc. etc.
Thanks for your help.
Bluegrass Picker