Do I need a permit for bathroom remodel in Unincorporated Howard County?

It depends. Whether bathroom remodel needs a permit in Unincorporated Howard County comes down to the details of your project.

Indiana's residential code deletes the IRC's permit, exemption, inspection, and fee sections (R105 and R108 to R114), so whether this job needs a permit is set by the local ordinance of the city, town, or county, not by the model IRC exemption list. Plumbing for dwellings follows Chapters 25 to 32 of the 2020 Indiana Residential Code, and compliance with the Indiana Plumbing Code (675 IAC 16, 2012 edition based on the 2006 IPC) is allowed instead. Anyone acting as a plumbing contractor or journeyman must hold a state license (IC 25-28.5-1-11); the owner-occupant exemption in IC 25-28.5-1-32 covers work on the owner's own dwelling of eight or fewer units. Under Indiana's R314.2.2 and R315.2.2, alterations or additions requiring a permit trigger smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as for new dwellings, except electrical work in existing rooms other than new or relocated bedrooms. This remodel moves plumbing, adds a tub or shower, or changes wiring, exhaust venting or walls. Like-for-like fixture swaps are the part of a bathroom remodel most often exempt; moving pipes and new wiring are not. Plumbing and electrical work each normally need their own permit and rough-in inspection before the walls are closed, so schedule inspections before drywall or tile backer goes up. Bathrooms have specific electrical safety rules, such as ground-fault protection on outlets, which the electrical inspection checks.