Aging-in-Place Bathroom Remodeling in San Martin, CA
Safer Bathroom in San Martin: Free In-Home Consultation
Who issues permits in San Martin
San Martin is an unincorporated community, so your bathroom permit comes from Santa Clara County, not a city. That changes where you apply and who you call. It does not change what makes a bathroom safer. Here is how to plan one in San Martin.
The County of Santa Clara Department of Planning and Development covers unincorporated areas. Its Building Permit page tells applicants to confirm the property is within unincorporated Santa Clara County, then apply on the county’s Public Permit Portal. The Permit Center is at 70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, 7th Floor, San Jose, and the phone is 408-299-5700. The county recommends a general consultation before you apply.
The county’s Minor Permit program is for quick residential mechanical, electrical, plumbing and reroof permits, such as re-piping or a water heater. A bathroom remodel is not listed there, so ask the Permit Center which route fits your scope. Axiom prepares the submittal and handles the process.
How a curbless shower is built, step by step
Before we design a curbless shower in San Martin, we look at what is under the bathroom floor: a concrete slab or a wood-framed floor. That decides how the shower area is lowered. Press Play to watch each step, or tap one. Switch between a concrete slab and a wood-framed floor.
Illustration by Axiom Renovation, not to scale. Shower floor slope and flood test from the California Plumbing Code (sections 408.6 and 408.8). Every floor is different; framing changes are confirmed by a structural engineer when needed.
What a permitted bathroom must meet
Work that changes plumbing, wiring or framing is permit work. California Civil Code 1101.4 requires noncompliant fixtures be replaced with water-conserving ones on single-family alterations. Showers need pressure-balance or thermostatic valves, and the plumbing code limits shower water to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A shower without a threshold is treated as a wet location for the whole room, which affects outlets and finishes.
Recent Axiom walk-in showers
Bathrooms recently built by Axiom Renovation: walk-in showers with low curbs or open entries, linear drains, handheld showers and a built-in bench.
Planning the safer room
- Grab bars anchored to blocking, at the toilet and in the shower.
- A bench 17 to 19 inches high, per the ADA reference.
- A handheld shower with a hose at least 59 inches long.
- Door width: 32 inches clear is the ADA reference.
- A 60-inch turning circle where space allows.
These numbers come from the 2010 ADA Standards, which bind public buildings but serve as a proven guide at home. The aging-in-place bathroom guide explains each one. Because homes in the area vary, we walk the house and check the floor structure before choosing a shower type.
Help for older adults near San Martin
The Centennial Recreation Senior Center in Morgan Hill serves adults 50 and older from Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. Call 408-782-1284. Santa Clara County also keeps a resource list for older adults with Falls Prevention Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center. Gilroy’s home modification program is limited to the incorporated city. Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley, at 408-578-9519, can say what applies to you.
Reference dimensions: shower seat, grab bars and toilet
These two drawings put the most-asked numbers in one place. They come from the 2010 ADA Standards, which homes are not required to follow but which give a tested starting point. We fine-tune heights to the people who live in the house.
Reference dimensions from the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (sections 604, 608.3, 608.5, 608.6, 609 and 610). They are required in public buildings, not in private homes, where they serve as a proven guide. Hand-shower hose length from section 608.6. We adjust heights to the people who will use the bathroom, ideally with input from an occupational therapist. Drawings by Axiom Renovation, not to scale.
Work with Axiom near San Martin
Axiom Renovation is a licensed general contractor (CSLB #1105006). We design, permit and build bathroom remodels in San Martin. See our San Martin bathroom remodeling page, read the full aging-in-place bathroom guide, or browse Bay Area bathroom remodeling. Nearby: Morgan Hill, Gilroy.
Call 408-702-2022, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, or use the contact page.
Process
Our Bathroom Remodeling Process
Step 1
Initial Consultation
We begin with a thorough initial consultation to understand your needs, assess your space, and discuss your vision, budget, and timeline.
Step 2
Planning and Design
At Axiom Renovation, we understand that the planning and design phase of a bathroom remodel is crucial to its success. Our dedicated project managers will work closely with you to understand your goals, design ideas and budget for the project.
Step 3
Material Selection
We guide you through selecting high-quality materials that fit your design and budget, ensuring durability and aesthetic appeal.
Step 4
Demolition and Preparation
Careful demolition and preparation work are performed to ready the space for construction, minimizing disruptions and ensuring a clean work environment.
Step 5
Construction and Installation
Our skilled craftsmen handle the construction phase, including obtaining permits, scheduling appointments, and the actual construction and installation with precision, building the new space according to the approved design.
Step 6
Electrical and Plumbing Work
Licensed professionals conduct all electrical and plumbing work, ensuring everything is up to code and seamlessly integrated into the new bathroom.
Step 7
Painting and Finishing
We pay close attention to detail during the painting and finishing stage, ensuring all surfaces are properly prepared and beautifully finished.
Step 8
Fixture and Appliance Installation
We expertly install all fixtures and appliances, ensuring they function correctly and fit perfectly with the overall design.
Step 9
Final Touches and Clean-Up
Final touches are added, and a thorough clean-up is performed, leaving your new space pristine and ready for use.
Step 10
Final Walkthrough and Client Satisfaction
We conduct a final walkthrough with you to ensure every detail meets your expectations and address any remaining concerns, ensuring your complete satisfaction.
San Martin Aging-in-Place Bathroom FAQ
Who issues bathroom permits in San Martin?
Santa Clara County, because San Martin is unincorporated. Applications go through the county’s Public Permit Portal.
Is a bathroom remodel a Minor Permit?
The county’s Minor Permit list covers items like re-piping and water heaters and does not name bathroom remodels. Confirm with the Permit Center at 408-299-5700.
Can I get a curbless shower in San Martin?
Usually, once we know the floor type. Raised floors can be recessed between joists. Slabs may be cut, with post-tensioned slabs needing special care.
How long does a project take?
It depends on scope and county review. Grab bars are quick. A full shower conversion takes longer. We give a schedule after a site visit.
Are there senior programs near San Martin?
The Morgan Hill senior center serves San Martin residents 50 and older, and Santa Clara County lists falls prevention and independent living resources.
Who remodels aging-in-place bathrooms in San Martin?
Axiom Renovation designs, permits and builds safer bathrooms in San Martin, from grab bars and curbless showers to full remodels. Call 408-702-2022, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Sources: County of Santa Clara, Apply for a Building Permit; County of Santa Clara, Minor Permit; Morgan Hill Senior Center; Santa Clara County resources for older adults; City of Gilroy, Home Modification program; California Civil Code 1101.4; 2025 California Plumbing Code 408.6 (via GoCodebook); U.S. Access Board, 2010 ADA Standards. This page is general information, not medical, legal or tax advice.