BATHROOM REMODELING
Bathroom Remodels for Santa Monica Homes
With more than 10 years of experience, ARD Remodeling remodels bathrooms for Santa Monica, CA homeowners, from a new vanity and tile to a full rebuild with a walk-in shower. Santa Monica lists bathroom remodels among the projects eligible for its online express permit, and larger plans go through electronic review, so the first visit is spent working out which path your bathroom is likely to take.
- Free estimates
- Showers, tubs, vanities
- City quiet hours
- Written scope
What the work can cover
Bathroom projects we plan in Santa Monica
Whether you are fixing a single problem or rebuilding the room, the plan starts with the same questions: what is in the walls, what moves, and what stays.
Tub-to-shower conversions
A walk-in shower where an old tub stood, with the framing and drain position checked first.
Vanity and storage updates
A slimmer vanity, a recessed medicine cabinet or a linen tower that fits a narrow room.
Tile, waterproofing and floors
New wall and floor tile, with a continuous waterproof layer behind it.
Ventilation and lighting
A fan that actually clears the steam, and light at the mirror.
Fixtures and valves
New faucets, shower valves and toilets in a matching finish.
Door, window and glass
A frosted window, a pocket door or a frameless panel to bring light into a compact room.
SANTA MONICA PERMITS
Express permit or full plan review
The city's Building and Safety staff decide which route a bathroom takes. Applications are paperless, and documents are uploaded to Electronic Plan Review before the counter visit.
Likely to suit a simple route
- New tile, vanity and fixtures in the same positions
- A shower replacing a tub in the same footprint
- A new fan, light or mirror in the same places
Ask the city before you design
- Moving a toilet, shower or sink to a new wall
- Adding circuits or relocating switches
- Opening or moving walls, or enlarging the room
Express Permit Information Bulletin
The city's own list of eligible single-family projects.
Waste plan on larger jobs
Required before the counter visit for projects valued at 50,000 dollars or more.
We read the bulletin with you while we write the scope, so you know before the estimate which route to expect.
What the walls of an older bathroom may be hiding
We cannot know what is behind the wall until it is open, so the scope separates what we can see from what we will confirm during demolition.
Past leaks
Soft drywall or stained framing around an old tub or shower is repaired before new tile goes up.
Supply and drain lines
If the existing lines are worn, replacing them while the wall is open costs far less labor than opening it again later.
Wiring near water
Outlets and switches near the vanity and shower are brought up to the standard the inspector will check.
Moisture with nowhere to go
A fan that vents outside, not into the attic, keeps humidity from returning.
BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Three ways to treat a small bathroom
Space is the usual limit in a compact bathroom, so the first choice is how to use it.
Curbless walk-in shower
Best for: Tight rooms, easier entry
- Opens the floor visually
- Glass panel instead of a curtain
- Room for a niche
Keep in mind: The floor under the shower has to be set up for the slope before tile goes down.
Alcove tub with a shower
Best for: Homes with one bathroom
- Keeps a bath for children
- Often the simplest plumbing
- Familiar and practical
Keep in mind: A step-over and a curtain or door close the room in.
Wall-hung vanity and compact toilet
Best for: Narrow bathrooms
- Frees up floor area
- Easier to clean under
- Slimmer profile
Keep in mind: The wall behind has to be reinforced to carry the weight.
MATERIALS UP CLOSE
Compact rooms reward careful materials
In a small bathroom there is nowhere for a poor detail to hide. Fewer materials, used consistently, make the room look larger and are easier to keep clean.
- Fewer grout linesLarge-format wall tile and a small-format floor give a calmer surface.
- Waterproofing you do not seeA continuous layer behind the tile, finished before any glass or fixtures go in.
- Natural light firstA frosted window or a light-colored wall keeps the room bright without extra fixtures.
Replacing old fixtures when your home is older
State law sets flow limits for fixtures in homes built before 1994. Where your bathroom remodel needs a building permit, non-compliant toilets, showerheads and faucets are replaced as a condition of final inspection. Repairs and routine maintenance alone do not trigger the rule. Budget for the swap when you pick fixtures, not at the end.
Toilets
More than 1.6 gallons per flush counts as non-compliant.
Showerheads
More than 2.5 gallons per minute.
Interior faucets
More than 2.2 gallons per minute.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
Details that save trouble later
Small decisions made at the start of a bathroom remodel.
Quiet hours
Construction is not allowed before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays, nor before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on Saturdays, nor on Sundays or listed holidays.
Condo or apartment building
Ask management about water shut-off notice, elevator use, work hours and flooring or waterproofing rules before setting a date.
Slip-resistant floor
A textured tile or a small-format floor gives better grip when wet.
Mirror lighting
Light on both sides of the mirror is kinder than a single fixture overhead.
MORE IN THIS CITY
More Remodeling in Santa Monica
Service overviewKitchen RemodelingBeautiful kitchens that bring together thoughtful design, quality materials and expert craftsmanship.See the service 
Service overviewTile InstallationFloor, shower, backsplash and patio tile installed on a properly prepared surface, with clean layouts and neat grout lines.See the service 
Service overviewFlooring & TileStylish, durable, and professionally installed flooring and tile for every room in your home.See the service 
Service overviewLighting InstallationRecessed lights, pendants, chandeliers, under-cabinet and outdoor lighting, wired safely and placed where it matters.See the service 
Service overviewPaintingFlawless finishes, lasting beauty, and attention to detail in every interior and exterior painting project.See the service 
Service overviewInterior RemodelingFrom single-room updates to complete interior transformations, tailored to your lifestyle and goals.See the service
All remodeling in Santa MonicaEverything we do in this city, on one page.SMALL ROOM, BIG DECISIONS
Want to see what your Santa Monica bathroom could become?
Describe the room and what frustrates you about it. We will tell you what the project would involve.
HOW IT WORKS
How a bathroom remodeling project runs
Step 1
Look and measure
We check the room, the plumbing layout and any signs of past leaks.
Step 2
Scope and selections
Tile, fixtures, glass and layout are agreed together and written down.
Step 3
Permit route and upload
We check whether the plan fits the express list or needs plan review, and prepare the documents for electronic submittal.
Step 4
Rebuild and walk-through
Demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, tile and finishes happen in order, inside the city's work hours, and we go through the room with you at the end.
Good to know
Before you start in Santa Monica
Every point below comes from the source shown on its card, with the date we last checked it. Rules change, so confirm anything that affects your project directly with the source.
- Official source
Express permits
Santa Monica's Express Permit process lets single-family property owners obtain building permits for certain work online, without plan review or a visit to the Permit Services Center. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are named as eligible; the city's Express Permit Information Bulletin lists the projects.
- Official source
Electronic submittal
The city's building permit process is paperless: applications and project documents are uploaded to Electronic Plan Review before visiting the Permit Services Center. Projects valued at 50,000 dollars or more, or totaling 1,000 square feet or more, need an approved Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan first.
- Official source
Construction hours
Construction in Santa Monica is not allowed before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on Saturday, all day Sunday, and on eight listed holidays (Municipal Code 4.12.110).
City of Santa Monica, Construction Noise Complaint Checked 2026-10-21 - California law
Water-saving fixtures
Under California Civil Code sections 1101.1 to 1101.8, non-compliant plumbing fixtures (toilets above 1.6 gallons per flush, showerheads above 2.5 gallons per minute, interior faucets above 2.2 gallons per minute) are replaced as a condition of final inspection of permits for alterations and improvements. Repairs and maintenance are not alterations or improvements.
Permit Sonoma, water-conserving plumbing fixtures (summary of the state law) Checked 2026-10-21
FAQ
Bathroom Remodeling questions in Santa Monica
Direct answers to what homeowners ask us most. If your question is not here, call or send a request.
- Santa Monica
- Permits
- Clear scope
Can a bathroom remodel in Santa Monica use an express permit?
The city names bathroom remodels among the single-family projects eligible for its express process, which is handled online without plan review. The exact conditions are in the city's bulletin, so we compare your plan to it before we quote the job.
What does paperless permitting mean for my schedule?
Drawings and forms are uploaded to the city's Electronic Plan Review system before anyone goes to the counter. The documents therefore have to be ready first, and we prepare them during the scoping step.
Do I have to swap my old toilet and showerhead?
If your remodel needs a permit and the home was built before 1994, state law expects non-compliant toilets, showerheads and faucets to be replaced as a condition of final inspection. Repair work by itself does not trigger it.
When can the demolition and tile cutting happen?
On weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The city does not allow construction on Sundays or on listed holidays.
I live in a condo. What should I ask the building before we start?
Ask about water shut-off notice, work hours, noise limits and any rules for flooring and waterproofing. Building approval is separate from the city permit, and its timetable can set your start date.
How do I find out if my older home is on a historic list?
The city publishes its Historic Resources Inventory with individual and district lists. A listed property may get extra review at the permit stage, mainly when the front of the building changes. A bathroom remodel inside is usually far from that, but we ask.
Service area
Bathroom Remodeling near Santa Monica
We work across Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Call or send a request and we will confirm your address.
Prefer the full overview?
Bathroom Remodeling: main service page
- Los Angeles
- Culver City
- Beverly Hills
- West Hollywood
READY TO GET STARTED?
Planning a bathroom remodeling project in Santa Monica?
Tell us about your home and your plans. We will confirm the details and set up your free estimate.