If your kitchen or bathroom remodel touches plumbing, electrical, gas, structure or ventilation, the answer in the Richmond area is yes. Cosmetic work generally does not need one. Kitchen and Bath Experts pulls the permits on every project that requires them, so this guide is less about paperwork you will file and more about understanding why it matters and what to expect.
The rule that applies everywhere in Virginia
All Virginia localities enforce the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The City of Richmond, Henrico County and Chesterfield County each run their own permit office and inspectors, but the code they enforce is the same. That is why a remodel in Glen Allen, Midlothian or the Fan follows the same basic rules, even if the forms and review times differ.
Work that typically requires a permit
- Moving, adding or removing plumbing fixtures or drain lines (relocating a sink, toilet or shower)
- New or extended electrical circuits, a new sub-panel or panel upgrade, new outlets or lighting runs
- Gas line work for a range or cooktop
- Removing or altering a load-bearing wall, adding a beam, or changing a window or door opening
- Adding or relocating a bathroom exhaust fan or kitchen range hood that vents outside
- Building a new bathroom or enlarging an existing one
- Any work in a historic district that changes the exterior (see our older-homes guide)
Work that usually does not
- Painting, wallpaper and trim
- Replacing cabinets in the same footprint
- Replacing countertops
- Replacing a faucet, toilet or sink in the same location with no changes to the piping
- Replacing flooring
- Swapping light fixtures on existing boxes
When a project mixes both, which most remodels do, the permit covers the regulated portions. The exact line can vary by locality, so we confirm it for every job.
What the permit process looks like on a Kitchen and Bath Experts project
- Scope review. During design we identify every item that needs a permit: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, building.
- Application. We file with the right office, the City of Richmond for city addresses, Henrico County or Chesterfield County for addresses in those counties, and with Hanover County for Mechanicsville-area homes.
- Review. The locality reviews the application and any drawings. Simple remodels are typically quick; structural changes may require engineered drawings.
- Inspections. Rough-in inspections happen while walls are open (plumbing, electrical, framing). Final inspections happen when everything is connected.
- Close-out. Passed finals close the permit. You receive the records for your file.
You are not responsible for scheduling or meeting inspectors; that is our job.
Why skipping the permit is a bad trade
- Resale. Virginia sellers must disclose known defects, and buyers' inspectors and title searches can surface unpermitted work. Unpermitted bathrooms and kitchens are a common reason deals fall apart or prices get renegotiated.
- Insurance. A fire or water loss traced to unpermitted electrical or plumbing can complicate a claim.
- Safety. Inspections catch undersized wire, missing GFCI protection, improper venting and bad drain slopes, the kinds of mistakes that cause fires and leaks years later.
- Cost. Opening finished walls to redo work that failed a later inspection costs far more than the permit ever did.
A contractor who suggests skipping the permit to save you money is telling you something about how the rest of the job will go.
Frequently asked questions
How long do permits take in the Richmond area? It varies by locality and workload. Most straightforward kitchen and bath permits are reviewed within days to a few weeks; structural work can take longer. We file as soon as the proposal is signed so review overlaps with material lead times.
Who pays the permit fee? It is included in your Kitchen and Bath Experts proposal, so there are no separate charges.
Can I pull the permit myself? Virginia allows homeowners to pull certain permits for their own residence, but the permit holder is responsible for the work and inspections. When a licensed contractor does the work, the contractor should hold the permit.
Does a licensed contractor matter for permits? Yes. Localities verify the contractor's Virginia license on the application.
Remodel with the paperwork handled
Permits, inspections and code questions are part of every Kitchen and Bath Experts project. Request a free in-home estimate and we will tell you exactly what your remodel will require.