Short answer: in Roseville, kitchen and bathroom remodels that touch plumbing, electrical, ventilation or walls are permitted through the City’s Building Division. Applications and plans are submitted digitally through the Online Permitting Services (OPS) portal, plan check may be required, and the homeowner is ultimately responsible for making sure the permits are in place.
What can be done without a permit
California’s residential building code lists painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work among the work that does not need a building permit. The catch is that a remodel rarely stops at finish work: as soon as you move a sink, add a circuit, replace a shower valve or open a wall, you are in permit territory.
The City of Roseville publishes its own list of permit exemptions on its building permits page. If your project sits on the line, check that list or ask the Building Division before work starts.
Who pulls the permit
Roseville issues permits to the legal property owner or to a licensed contractor. The City’s building permits page adds that although a contractor will often secure the permits, “it is the responsibility of the homeowner to make sure all necessary permits are obtained.” Ask your contractor for the permit number before demolition begins.
How to apply
- Applications, plans, technical documents and forms are submitted digitally through the OPS portal.
- Plans should follow the City’s current Building Safety Design Criteria.
- Plan check may be required, depending on the scope.
- Fees are based on use and square footage, per the City’s fee schedule.
Bathroom remodel requirements
Roseville’s Bathroom Remodel Requirements handout (revised January 1, 2026) lists what inspectors expect. Highlights:
- Noncompliant fixtures in the area of work are replaced with water-saving ones: bathroom faucets up to 1.2 gpm, toilets up to 1.28 gallons per flush, showerheads up to 1.8 gpm.
- An exhaust fan is required in bathrooms with a tub or shower even if there is a window: at least 50 cfm intermittent or 20 cfm continuous, vented directly outdoors, with the fan and light on separate switches.
- Bathroom receptacles on dedicated 20-amp circuits, all GFCI-protected and tamper-resistant, with a receptacle within 3 feet of each sink.
- New or replaced shower valves must be pressure balanced, with a maximum of 120°F.
- Showers and tubs need a nonabsorbent hard surface at least 6 feet above the floor; a tub-to-shower conversion needs at least a 2-inch trap and trap arm.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the locations the code requires.
Inspections
Inspections are scheduled online. The permit holder notifies the Building Division when work is ready, and work must stay exposed and accessible until it is approved. New waste piping is tested at inspection.
Contact
City of Roseville Building Division, 311 Vernon St., Roseville, CA 95678 · (916) 774-5332 · BuildingDivision@roseville.ca.gov.
How Tenax handles permits
Permits and inspections are included in our kitchen and bathroom remodels in Roseville, and the requirements above are built into the design and the itemized estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Can a homeowner pull a permit in Roseville?
Yes. The City issues permits to the legal property owner or a licensed contractor.
Do I need a new exhaust fan if my bathroom has a window?
Per the City’s handout, a bathroom with a tub or shower needs an exhaust fan even if it has an operable window.
What if work was done without a permit?
The City publishes a policy for work done without a building permit that explains how to seek approval. Review it, or ask the Building Division, before selling or remodeling further.
Sources
Checked against the city’s own pages in November 2026. Permit rules and code editions change; always confirm your exact scope with the building department before you start. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
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