Do I Need a Permit for Shower or Tub Installation in McKinney?

Most permit requirements come down to one thing: are you changing where the plumbing connects? If the answer is yes, a permit is required. Here are the most common scenarios we see in McKinney homes.

These projects require a permit:

• Moving or adding a drain
• Relocating hot or cold supply lines
• Installing a new shower where none existed before
• Converting a tub to a walk-in shower
• Adding a freestanding tub with new floor-mounted connections

In master bath remodels across McKinney, drain relocation comes up often. The drain position from the original build rarely lines up with the new shower layout. That single change puts the project in permit territory.

Not every shower or tub project triggers a permit in McKinney. Surface-level work and same-location replacements are typically exempt. Here is what usually falls outside the permit requirement.

These projects typically do not require a permit:

• Replacing a showerhead or faucet in the same location
• Re-tiling a shower surround or tub deck
• Swapping a tub for a new tub in the exact same position with no drain changes
• Replacing shower glass, doors, or enclosures
• Updating fixtures, handles, or trim pieces

What looks like a simple swap sometimes reveals outdated plumbing behind the wall. When that happens, the scope changes. We walk through every project with you before work begins so you know exactly what you are dealing with.

When in doubt, call us first. A quick conversation with our McKinney team can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.

If your project requires a permit, here is how the process works in McKinney. It is straightforward when you have a licensed plumber managing it for you.

The permit process runs in five steps:

• Apply — Your plumber submits a Residential Stand-Alone Plumbing permit application through McKinney's Citizen Self-Service (CSS) Portal.
• Review — The City of McKinney Building Inspections Department reviews the plans. Residential projects are typically reviewed within a few days to a couple of weeks.
• Approval — Once approved, the permit is issued. It is valid for 180 days, so work must begin within that window.
• Work — Your plumber completes the installation according to the approved plans and McKinney's adopted plumbing code.
• Inspection — A city inspector reviews the completed work to confirm it meets code requirements.

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners requires that permits be pulled by a licensed plumber — not a homeowner or unlicensed contractor. You do not have to create accounts, upload documents, or manage paperwork. That is our job.

Have questions about your project timeline? Call us for a same-day consultation. We handle the permit process from start to finish.

Skipping a required permit in McKinney is not worth the risk. The consequences can follow you long after the project is done.

Here is what unpermitted plumbing work can cost you:

• Fines and correction orders — The City of McKinney requires permits to protect homeowners from substandard work. Unpermitted work can result in fines and mandatory corrections at your expense.
• Home sale complications — Buyer inspectors flag unpermitted work. It can delay or derail a sale, or force you to tear out finished work to prove compliance.
• Insurance claim denials — If water damage occurs in an area with unpermitted plumbing, your insurance company may deny the claim.
• Voided warranties — Some fixture and material warranties require permitted, code-compliant installation. Skipping the permit can void that coverage.

We have seen McKinney homeowners inherit unpermitted bathroom work from a previous owner. It always surfaces at the worst time — during a sale or an insurance claim. Doing it right the first time costs far less than fixing it later.

When you call Baker Brothers for shower or tub installation in McKinney, permits are part of the service. You do not have to figure out what is required or manage the paperwork yourself.

Here is what we bring to every McKinney project:

• State-licensed and background-checked technicians — Our plumbers are permit-eligible from day one and fully licensed to work in McKinney and North Collin County.
• Upfront permit advice — We tell you before work begins whether your project requires a permit. No surprises after demo starts.
• We handle the paperwork — We apply for the permit, coordinate the inspection, and make sure the work meets McKinney's adopted plumbing code.
• 80 years of North Texas code knowledge — We know how McKinney's requirements apply to the newer homes and master-planned communities across the area.
• HOA awareness — Many McKinney neighborhoods have HOA notification requirements that go alongside permitted work. We flag those for you so nothing gets missed.

Same-day and next-day service is available. Permit timelines are factored into your project schedule from the start so there are no unexpected delays.

Call (469) 398-3229 for shower and tub installation in McKinney. We handle the permits, the plumbing, and the cleanup — so you don't have to.