Bathroom Electrical Code in Washington: GFCI, Circuits and Fans

A bathroom puts water, metal and electricity in one small room, so the electrical code is stricter here than almost anywhere else in the house. Washington uses the National Electrical Code with its own amendments, and a few of those amendments go further than the national text. This page covers what applies to a bathroom remodel in Vancouver and Clark County as of October 2026, and marks the points your electrician and inspector should settle for your layout.

Which code applies

Washington enforces the 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), adopted in WAC 296-46B-010 effective 1 April 2024. The City of Vancouver, which runs its own electrical program, lists the 2023 NEC effective 1 April 2024. State rule adopts the 2026 NEC effective 31 December 2026, and L&I is separately rewriting the Washington amendments for it, with adoption intended in November 2026. We could not confirm the City of Vancouver's own date for the 2026 edition.

In Washington, the electrical chapters of the International Residential Code are replaced by the state electrical rules, so IRC section numbers that start with "E" are not the law here.

For a remodel, WAC 296-46B-010(14) is the key rule: existing lawful wiring may continue, but "Additions, alterations, modifications, or repairs to the electrical system must conform to the current requirements". New work in an old bathroom meets today's code.

GFCI protection

Ground-fault circuit interrupters cut power when current leaks to ground, such as through a person standing on a wet floor.

• Bathroom receptacles: the 2023 NEC requires GFCI protection for receptacles in dwelling unit bathroom areas (210.8(A)(1)). A "bathroom area" is one with a sink plus a toilet, tub, shower, bidet or similar fixture.
• Near a tub or shower outside a bathroom: receptacles within 6 feet of the outside edge of a bathtub or shower stall also need GFCI (210.8(A)(10)).
• Exhaust fan receptacle: new in 2023, the internal receptacle in a bathroom exhaust fan does not need GFCI "unless specified by the fan instructions".
• Washington amendment, stricter than the NEC: "All fixed electrical equipment with exposed grounded metal parts within an enclosed shower area or within five feet of the top inside edge of a bathtub must have ground fault circuit interrupter protection." (WAC 296-46B-210(2))

The receptacle at the sink

Under NEC 210.52(D), at least one receptacle outlet must be installed within 3 feet of the outside edge of each bathroom sink. It can be on a wall or partition next to the counter, or on the side or face of the sink cabinet, but never more than 12 inches below the top of the sink or countertop. Listed countertop receptacle assemblies may be installed in the counter. One receptacle can serve two sinks if it is within 3 feet of the outside edge of each.

The NEC also sets requirements for the branch circuit that feeds bathroom receptacles (210.11(C)(3)). The 2023 wording, and whether a circuit serving a single bathroom may also feed that bathroom's light and fan, is a point we could not verify from the code text. Ask your electrician how your bathroom will be circuited.

Receptacles and lights near tubs and showers

Receptacles are not allowed in or directly over a tub or shower, and the electrical code sets a clearance zone around them. The exact 2023 measurement of that zone is something to confirm with your electrician for your floor plan.

For lights, Washington's amendment is the rule to know: "All luminaires within an enclosed shower area or within five feet of the waterline of a bathtub must be enclosed, unless specifically listed for such use; these luminaires, with exposed metal parts that are grounded, must be ground fault circuit interrupter protected." (WAC 296-46B-410(1)). In practice, shower lights are enclosed fixtures listed for the location, and a decorative pendant over a freestanding tub needs a close look at its listing and distance before you order it.

AFCI

Arc-fault protection (AFCI) is required by 2023 NEC 210.12(B) for 15- and 20-amp, 120-volt circuits in kitchens, bedrooms, living areas, hallways, closets, laundry areas and similar rooms. Bathrooms are not on the list. Whether the 2026 NEC changes that is not something we could confirm.

Heated floors

Heated floor systems in bathrooms need ground-fault protection under the NEC. The type of protection and the exact rule depend on the system, so follow the product's installation instructions and the electrician's design. An electric heated floor also needs an electrical permit. JDI's planning range for a heated tile floor add-on is $2,000-$5,000 (see bathroom remodel cost); more on systems is in heated bathroom floors.

Jetted (hydromassage) tubs

Washington has three specific rules in WAC 296-46B-680:

• Hydromassage bathtubs "must be listed as a unit and bear a listing mark which reads 'hydromassage bathtub.'"
• "The ground fault circuit interrupter device must be identified as to use and not located in a building or tub cavity, crawlspace, or attic."
• "All electrical equipment installed to support the bathtub (e.g., disconnecting means, motor, etc.) must be accessible at the same grade level as the tub or from a landing on the exterior of the building without the use of a ladder or other access device."

The NEC also calls for an individual branch circuit with readily accessible GFCI protection for a hydromassage tub, and equipment that can be reached without damaging the building. The plumbing code (UPC 409.6) also requires access openings large enough to remove and replace the circulation pump, so plan the access panel in the design.

Lighting and the energy code

Under the 2021 Washington State Energy Code, new lighting that is part of an alteration must comply with R404.1, which requires that permanently installed fixtures "contain only high-efficacy lighting sources" (LED qualifies). Replacing less than 10 percent of the fixtures in a space without increasing lighting power is an exception. Lighting controls such as dimmers or occupancy sensors are required for new fixtures in most rooms, but the code says controls "shall not be required" in bathrooms. See bathroom lighting for design.

Code minimum versus good practice

Permits and who confirms

Inside Vancouver city limits, the City of Vancouver issues electrical permits and inspects (Permit Center, 360-487-7833). Elsewhere in Clark County, Washington L&I does (360-896-2300). The inspector's reading of the code governs your job. Permit details are on electrical permits for a bathroom remodel, and the rough and final inspections on bathroom remodel inspections.

On a JDI Construction bathroom, the electrical layout is planned with the design, so receptacles, lights, fan and heated floor are placed before tile is chosen. Start with our Vancouver bathroom remodeling page.