Nassau County Bathroom Permit Guide (2026)

Nassau County permit questions are the #2 topic homeowners ask us about (cost is #1). Here's the plain-English version of how bathroom permits work in Nassau and what to expect.

Do I need a permit?

Almost always, yes. Nassau County requires a permit for:

• Any plumbing relocation (moving a toilet, tub, or shower drain)
• Electrical changes (adding circuits, moving outlets, new lighting)
• Structural work (wall removal, door widening)
• Waterproofing replacement in a shower
• Adding a new bathroom

Permit-free projects (usually): replacing a vanity in the exact same spot with no plumbing change, painting, swapping fixtures for same-brand/same-size replacements.

Nassau County vs. village permits

Nassau County has 64 villages. Many incorporated villages have their OWN building departments in addition to (or sometimes instead of) the County. These include: Garden City, Great Neck, Kings Point, Old Westbury, Rockville Centre, Floral Park, Freeport, Hempstead, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Mineola, Port Washington, Roslyn, Valley Stream, and more.

If you live in an incorporated village, you may need a village permit only, or both village and county. Unincorporated Nassau (most of Hicksville, Levittown, East Meadow, Plainview, etc.) files with the County only.

Who files the permit?

Your contractor. In New York State, permits must be filed by a licensed Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). If your contractor is licensed (we are: Nassau HIC #H2419300), they handle everything.

If they aren't licensed and ask you to file the permit, stop and hire a licensed contractor. It's not worth the risk.

What's in the permit package?

• Signed contractor's license and insurance certificate
• Floor plan of the bathroom (existing + proposed)
• Scope of work description
• Plumbing and electrical diagrams (if applicable)
• Homeowner authorization
• Permit fee ($250–$650 depending on scope)

Most Nassau County filings can be done online now. Approval typically takes 7–14 days.

Inspections

Typical bathroom remodel has 2–3 inspections:

1. Rough-in inspection — After plumbing and electrical are roughed in, before drywall/tile. Inspector checks pipe connections, vent sizing, electrical box placement, and GFCI circuits.
2. Final inspection — After tile, fixtures, and finish work. Inspector checks faucet supply lines, toilet connection, GFCI operation, exhaust fan venting to exterior, and general workmanship.
3. Plumbing final (separate) — Sometimes required for plumbing-heavy projects.

Permit closeout

After final inspection passes, the permit is closed and a Certificate of Completion is filed. This goes into the property's permanent record. When you sell the house, the title company will pull permit history — unclosed permits can delay or complicate closing.

What if someone did unpermitted work before?

Common in older Long Island homes, especially bathrooms renovated in the 70s–90s before permits were rigorously enforced. Typically we can permit new work without auditing legacy work, but the inspector occasionally flags obvious issues (like a second-floor bathroom drain discharging into a laundry standpipe instead of a proper stack).

Tell your contractor about any unpermitted work at the estimate. We plan for it.

Timing implications

Permit filing adds 10–14 days upfront to your project timeline in Nassau. Village permits may add 5–10 more. We file same-day when the contract signs to minimize the wait.

Bottom line

Permits protect you. An inspected bathroom is a bathroom that was built right. When you sell the house, permit history is a selling point. Hire a licensed contractor, file the permit, get it inspected.