Finish work that often needs no permit
Sandy's building-permit page, following the IRC, lists painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work among items that do not, by themselves, require a permit. A vanity swap, new tile on an existing surround, and paint in a hall bath often sit in that bucket. 'Often' is doing work. If the city reads your job as an alteration of a regulated system, they will want a permit. When in doubt, ask the building department, not a forum.
Work that does need a permit and a licensed trade
New circuits, a new exhaust path that is mechanical, new supply or drain lines, a relocated toilet, or a brand-new bath in a previously unfinished basement all need permits. They also need a licensed electrician, plumber, or mechanical contractor. Wasatch Finish does not pull those as if they were tile. American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Draper, South Jordan, Alpine, and Sandy all require basement-finish permits when you add a bath in unfinished space. That is a basement project with a bath in it, not a 'paint the powder room' job.
How we write the scope so the city line is visible
The quote separates finishing from referred trades. If your plan stays on the finish side, we say so. If it crosses, we stop and name the trade and the permit. That is slower than a one-line 'full gut' number. It is also how you avoid opening a wall twice.
Bottom line
Tile and a vanity at existing locations are often finish work. New plumbing, new electrical, and a bath in unfinished space are permitted trade work. Write the job on that split before anyone orders tile.
Questions
Do I need a permit to retile a bathroom in Utah?
Often no, when the tile is finish work at existing locations and no plumbing or electrical is altered. Confirm with the city. New wet-system work does need a permit and a licensed plumber.
Does adding a basement bathroom need a permit?
Yes, in all seven cities we serve, because you are creating living space and usually adding plumbing and electrical. That is a permitted basement finish with a bath, not a cosmetic update.
Who pulls the plumbing permit?
The licensed plumber. Wasatch Finish does not perform plumbing and does not treat a plumbing permit as a tile add-on.
What happens if I skip a required bath permit?
The city can require work to be opened for inspection, and a later sale can stall on unpermitted plumbing or electrical. We will not run that risk on a job we scope.
