In Central Point, a kitchen or bathroom remodel that only replaces finishes (paint, tile, flooring, cabinets and countertops) needs no building permit under Oregon's residential code. Moving a wall, moving plumbing or adding wiring does need a permit, and the City of Central Point Building Department issues it.
The rules come from the 2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code, which became mandatory statewide on October 1, 2026, and from the state Building Codes Division's list of common home projects. Here is how they sort a typical remodel, as of October 2026.
Which remodel work in Central Point needs no permit?
Finish work needs no building permit. The code's list of work exempt from permit includes painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and interior wall, floor or ceiling coverings that are not fire-resistance rated. A refinished set of kitchen cabinets, new tile or a repainted bathroom falls on that list.
On the plumbing side, the Building Codes Division lists repairing or replacing a sink, toilet or faucet that is not concealed in a wall, replacing shower heads, and resurfacing shower walls or regrouting tile as work with no permit. Replacing a broken outlet, light fixture or switch with a like replacement needs no electrical permit, and neither does replacing an existing dishwasher or garbage disposal of 30 amps or less.
Which parts of a kitchen or bathroom remodel need a permit?
Any change to the structure, the concealed plumbing or the wiring needs a permit. The table below sorts the common pieces of a kitchen or bathroom remodel by the permit each one needs.
| Remodel work | Permit |
|---|---|
| Painting, tile, flooring, cabinets, countertops | No building permit |
| Replacing a sink, toilet or exposed faucet | No plumbing permit |
| Adding, moving or removing a wall | Building permit |
| Cutting a new window or door opening, or resizing one | Building permit |
| Moving existing plumbing, or altering pipe inside a wall or floor | Plumbing permit |
| Replacing a water heater | Plumbing permit |
| New wiring, a new outlet or a new light fixture | Electrical permit |
| A vented range hood or bath fan | Mechanical permit |
The code also requires a building permit to create a new bathroom, a new toilet room or new living space inside an existing house.
Does a permit exemption mean the work can skip the code?
No. The code says an exemption from a permit does not authorize work that breaks the code or any other law, and exempt work cannot remove or change a required way out of the house. The same section says nothing in the state code limits a city's ability to enforce its own ordinances, so the city's answer is the one that applies to your house.
Where do you get a remodel permit in Central Point?
The Central Point Building Department reviews plans, issues permits and inspects residential construction, including plumbing, mechanical and electrical installations. It takes permit applications online through Oregon ePermitting, the state Building Codes Division's system, and the city's offices are at 140 S 3rd Street. If you are unsure whether a project needs a permit, the Building Codes Division's advice is to contact the local building department before the work starts.
We take on remodels and repairs in Central Point and across Jackson County. See our remodels and repairs service. John York walks every Central Point job before he gives a price, so ask him which parts of your project need a permit when he does. Request your free estimate or call or text (541) 299-5331.
