St. Louis County Department of Public Works Division of Code Enforcement KITCHEN AND BATH REMODELING BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS This guideline is intended to provide the homeowner/contractor with the basic information needed to apply for a permit to remodel a kitchen or bathroom. These types of projects usually include electrical, plumbing and sometimes mechanical work. All residential building projects within unincorporated county and municipalities that contract fully (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) with St. Louis County are issued as an integrated permit (one permit for the entire job). The cost of an integrated permit is less than the total costs of separate permits for each discipline. A typical kitchen remodel project usually includes all the construction disciplines. The removal and reinstalling or new installation of the kitchen counter top involves plumbing work due to the removal and installation of the sink, plumbing fixtures, and dishwasher. A reconfigured counter top requires the electrical outlets serving the counter to be upgraded to meet the current St. Louis County Electrical Code. The mechanical discipline is involved when a new gas stove and the associated hood or downdraft exhaust system is proposed in a new location. The mechanical discipline is also involved for the installation of a new hood or downdraft system for a new or relocated electric range or cooktop unless there is a compliant system already in place. A typical bathroom remodeling project includes electrical and plumbing disciplines for the same reasons. The mechanical discipline is required for new installation of bath exhaust fans and associated ductwork. All plumbing and electrical work must be performed in accordance with St. Louis County Codes and Ordinances by licensed master plumbers, licensed electrical contractors, or a pre-authorized homeowner who by examination has demonstrated the knowledge and ability to perform the work. All mechanical work must be performed by a registered financial responsible (bonded and insured) or licensed contractor authorized to do mechanical work. Homeowners may perform their own mechanical work within their own dwelling with no requirement to be registered or licensed. 1. Fill out and sign application for a building permit. 2. Obtain zoning approval from the Department of Public Works, if an unincorporated area, or from municipality. In municipalities the plans must be marked "Approved" and Municipal Approval Form submitted with application. 3. Submit four (4) separate complete sets of detailed building construction plans drawn to scale and containing the following: Floor plans @ 1/4" = 1'-0" Wall Sections(s) @ 3/4" = 1'-0" (if any new walls are proposed) Other Sections & Details @ 3/4" = 1'-0" (If applicable) Refer to the attached drawings and the following general plan preparation information and listing of common code requirements pertaining to most simple kitchen and bath remodeling projects for additional information that needs to be included on the building construction plans. Residential building projects within unincorporated county and in municipalities that contract with St. Louis County for all construction disciplines (building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing) are K:\Permdata\Plan Review\HANDOUTS RESTORED\HANDOUTS\Kitchen&BathRemodel.doc Page 1 of 5 01/13/15
issued as an integrated building permit (one permit for all the disciplines). 4. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with other agencies or jurisdictions concerning their requirements that may be affected by the proposed remodel. Contact the appropriate agencies such as the Fire Department, Municipality, Sewer District, Subdivision Trustees, etc. 5. Issuance of a building permit for the project does not authorize construction access to the work site. If the existing driveway entrance to the site is unavailable for construction access, the owner/contractor shall apply for a permit to construct a temporary entrance from the owner of the Right-of-Way. For additional information regarding the criteria in this handout, please contact: Contact General Information (314) 615-5184 Permit Processing (314) 615-7155 Zoning Review (314) 615-3763 Building Plan Review (314) 615-5485 Right-of-Way Owner State (888) 275-6636 County (314) 615-8517 Municipality Municipality Plan Preparation and Common Code Requirements Pertaining to Most Projects General Plan Preparation Information Most kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects do not require walls to be removed or relocated. If you desire to remove or relocate a wall, the plans need to identify (graphically or by notations) new and existing wall locations. Any removed walls shall be identified as bearing or non-bearing. If the removed wall is load bearing, provide necessary details to verify proper load transfer to the foundation. Indicate if the existing soffits will remain or if new soffits will be constructed. Kitchen Light and Ventilation Proper natural light and ventilation in the kitchen is required if the rough openings of any exterior window or door is altered. The glass area shall be a minimum of 8% of the kitchen floor area. The exterior screened openings shall provide a minimum of 4% of the floor area. A permanently mounted light fixture may be substituted for the required natural light. For kitchens without adequate exterior openings large enough to provide 4% of the floor area in natural ventilation, outdoor air (artificial ventilation) shall be supplied at a rate of 0.35 air changes per hour or 15 cubic feet per minute per person (3 bedroom house 60 cfm fan, 4 bedroom house 75 cfm fan), whichever is greater. Bathroom Light and Ventilation Proper natural light and ventilation in the bathroom is required if a new window is proposed or the rough area of an existing opening is altered. The glass area shall be a minimum of 3 square feet. The exterior screened opening shall be a minimum of 1.5 square feet. A permanently mounted light fixture may be substituted for the natural light. A 50 cfm exhaust fan vented to the exterior or to the attic gable or soffit vent may be substituted for the natural ventilation. K:\Permdata\Plan Review\HANDOUTS RESTORED\HANDOUTS\Kitchen&BathRemodel.doc Page 2 of 5 01/13/15
New glazing installed in the enclosing walls of a shower/bathtub or existing glazing located in the enclosing walls of a relocated shower/bathtub where the bottom edge of such glazing is less than 60 above the standing surface, shall be Type II Safety Glazing. Kitchen Exhaust for Range or Cook Top Kitchen ranges shall have a listed hood or downdraft exhausted to the exterior with a 100 CFM fan (intermittent use), or a 25 CFM fan (continuous use). Alternately, a listed and labeled recirculating ductless range hood installed in accordance with manufacturer s installation instructions (if equipped with the filtration system for grease removing and odor control) is not required to discharge outdoors. Kitchen exhaust hood systems capable of exhausting in excess of 600 CFM shall be provided with makeup air at a rate approximately equal to the exhaust rate. The makeup air system shall be equipped with a means of closure and shall be automatically controlled to start and operate simultaneously with the exhaust system. Makeup air shall be provided by gravity or mechanical means or both. Clothes Dryer Exhaust Clothes dryer exhaust shall be independent of all other systems, and exhaust to the exterior through smooth, 4 diameter duct. Indicate the duct run and the termination on the plans. The maximum developed length of the duct shall be 35 (obtained by adding 5 for each 90 bend and 2.5 for each 45 bend to the length of the straight runs). Exception: The maximum developed length may be extended to 55 if clearly labeled cleanouts are provided within 12 of the 2nd elbow, at every elbow thereafter, and at least every 15 of developed length thereafter. Permanent signage is required at the dryer exhaust connection to inform the occupants of periodic inspection and cleaning requirements and to identify each cleanout location. Electrical Ground fault circuit interruption protection (GFCI) shall be provided for all 125 volt, single phase, 15 and 20 ampere receptacles installed in the following locations: 1. Kitchen counter top surfaces 2. Bathrooms 3. Receptacles intended to serve the counter top surfaces of a wet bar that are located within 6-0 of the outside edge of the wet bar sink. These GFCI outlets may be installed in the existing electrical boxes as long as: 1. The replacement kitchen countertop is the exact size and located in the same area as the old countertop. A new countertop different in size or location than the old countertop is considered a reconfigured countertop requiring new electrical outlets. See below. 2. The existing electrical wire serving these areas has two conductors with or without ground, and has been maintained in good condition. If this is not present, new electrical wiring is required as if the countertop is reconfigured. See below. A reconfigured kitchen or dining area countertop area is a new countertop that is a different size or location than the old countertop. Receptacles serving a reconfigured kitchen and dining area counter top area shall be ground fault circuit-interrupter protected, supplied by two different 20 amp circuits and be located in accordance with the following criteria. Receptacles shall be installed so that no point along the counter is more than 24 from a receptacle. All counter top areas 12 wide or greater separated by sinks, ranges, or refrigerators shall be served by a receptacle. Receptacles installed face-up in counter K:\Permdata\Plan Review\HANDOUTS RESTORED\HANDOUTS\Kitchen&BathRemodel.doc Page 3 of 5 01/13/15
work-surface are prohibited. At least one receptacle shall be installed to serve each island or peninsula counter space that is 24 x12 or greater. When a new receptacle is required or provided in the bathroom, it shall be located within 3 of the outer edge of each basin and not more than 12 below the counter top. This receptacle shall be ground-fault circuit interrupter protected and supplied by one 20 amp circuit. Soffit Fireblocking The vertical to horizontal space that occurred between the wall stud framing and any soffit shall be fireblocked with a 2x4 or 2x6 blocking. This blocking is placed horizontally between the 2x4 or 2x6 wall studs at the bottom horizontal edge of the soffit. Interior Finish and Flame Spread Interior finish materials shall not have a flame spread rating exceeding 200 or a smoke development index exceeding 450. Gypsum Backer Board Water resistant Gypsum backer board used as a base for tiles or wall panels in bathtub and shower compartments must not be applied over a vapor barrier. Water resistant gypsum backing board shall be permitted to be used on ceilings where framing spacing does not exceed 12 inches on center for ½ thick or 16 inches for 5/8 thick gypsum board. Smoke Detectors AC powered, U.L. listed smoke detectors with battery backup shall be placed throughout the dwelling unit as noted below unless already existing. All detectors within the dwelling shall be interconnected and hard wired so that the activation of any alarm will sound all alarms throughout the house. Exception: Detector locations in existing areas shall not be required to be interconnected and hard wired where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space, or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring and interconnection without the removal of interior finishes. Smoke detectors shall be placed in the following locations: Floor levels with bedrooms: A smoke detector is required in each bedroom and one centrally located detector is required outside of a group of bedrooms in the hall way. Floor level without bedrooms: A smoke detector is required adjacent to the stair. Carbon Monoxide Alarms A carbon monoxide alarm is required outside and in the immediate vicinity of all sleeping areas and bedrooms if the dwelling unit contains a fuel fired appliance or has an attached or basement garage. The carbon monoxide detector shall comply with UL2034-2008. The preceding requirements apply to most simple kitchen or bathroom remodeling projects. The Plan Reviewer may determine that unusual circumstances dictate the need for additional information on any particular project. The above requirements are based on the construction codes in effect at the time this brochure was last updated. Please note that the County updates its construction codes periodically about every 3-4 years. K:\Permdata\Plan Review\HANDOUTS RESTORED\HANDOUTS\Kitchen&BathRemodel.doc Page 4 of 5 01/13/15
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