Is It Okay to Have an Electrical Panel in a Bathroom? What You Need to Know

Think twice about keeping your electrical panel in the bathroom

A white modern bathroom
Photo: Martin Deja / Moment / Getty Images
A white modern bathroom
Photo: Martin Deja / Moment / Getty Images
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

According to national electrical safety codes, it is not permissible to install an electrical panel in a bathroom. National Electric Code (NEC) Volume 70 prohibits breakers, fuses, and disconnect switches from appearing in residential or hotel bathrooms. In fact, you can’t install any conductors or equipment in damp or wet locations, including bathrooms. 

So if you are designing a house or conducting some renovations, do not plan on adding any electrical components in a bathroom other than ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets.  Let’s take a closer look at the electrical panel location rules and regulations.

What Are The Dangers of Installing an Electrical Panel in the Bathroom?

Places you cannot install an electrical panel, including bathrooms, bedrooms, and above stairs

Electrical panels are disallowed from appearing in or around bathrooms because it’s widely considered dangerous to the integrity of your system and the people inside your home. Electrical conductors perform poorly when exposed to gasses, fumes, vapors, liquids, and temperature fluctuations, and bathrooms contain almost all of these offending agents. The steam from a shower and the uptick in humidity wears down the components and over time, this leads to corroded panels and service interruptions. In rare cases, bathroom-adjacent electrical panels cause shocks and electrical fires.

How Much Does It Cost to Move an Electrical Panel From a Bathroom?

If you currently have an electrical panel in your bathroom and need to relocate it, you’ll need to budget for the cost of hiring an electrician to move it. Moving an electrical panel costs $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the number of house stories, the number of circuits in the panel, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, and whether the existing box can be used as a circuit junction where a current can be split. 

Keep in mind that this electrical work is best left for professional electricians, as electricity is unpredictable and dangerous. Hiring a local electrician to move your electrical panel out of the bathroom ensures your personal and home’s safety, as they have the appropriate skills, tools, and experience to get the job right. Don’t forget to budget for the cost of hiring an electrician, which is typically $50 to $100 per hour.

Best Location for an Electrical Panel

If you can’t install or keep an electrical panel in the bathroom, then where should you put it? The best location to have an electrical panel is a safe, dry, and accessible spot, which has ample room for you or an electrician to make repairs.

Here are the top spots for an electrical panel:

  • Basement

  • Laundry room

  • Garage

  • Underside of a staircase

  • Utility room 

Tips When Moving an Electrical Panel

Close up circuit breakers and wire in control panel
Photo: photovs / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Moving and replacing electrical panels is serious work, so here are some useful tips. 

  • Location is everything: Finding the best location for the panel is extremely important, so follow our best practices. Bathrooms are out. Closets are out. Crawl spaces are out. Instead, place it in the garage, basement, or utility room. 

  • Make sure it’s reachable: If you have an electrical problem, you want the panel easily accessible by every adult in the house. Make it reachable and place it no higher than 6 feet and 7 inches. 

  • Look into permit and inspection requirements: Moving an electrical panel often requires extending or shortening affiliated wires. This is a significant undertaking, and many states require permits and electrical inspections to complete this type of work. 

  • Weatherproof outdoor panels: If you are moving a panel to the great outdoors, make sure to weatherproof the components against corrosion, water, snow, and wind damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

The NEC prohibits the installation of electrical panels within clothing closets. Closets are filled with flammable items like clothing, mothballs, shoe polish, plastic containers, and exposed light bulbs. If the panel develops a small electrical fire, it won’t take long to bloom into a real disaster. If you have an electrical panel in one of your home’s closets, move it as soon as possible with the help of a professional electrician.

The Occupational Safety and Home Administration (OSHA) requires an electrical panel to have a minimum of three feet (36 inches) of room from the front of the panel to the closest obstacle. In this case, the word obstacle refers to nearly everything, including walls, machines, and other fixed objects. Additionally, panels require at least 6½ feet of headroom in the area directly in front of the fixture. These requirements help ensure safe use of the panel and allow electricians plenty of room to work.

Yes, placing an electrical panel in a bedroom is perfectly acceptable, so long as it meets other space requirements as indicated by OSHA and related agencies. When installed in a bedroom, electricians typically place it in the area directly behind the door swing. This method allows for easy access when conducting electrical panel repairs.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to electrical services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A family loading luggage in their car while charging it
Apr 2, 2025
Apr 2, 2025
Find out how an EV charger installation can make your electric vehicle ownership experience even better. Learn about costs, benefits, and more.
Biege home exterior with driveway
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
Electrical subpanels allow you to use appliances and electronics safely. This cost guide explains the important factors to consider when installing a subpanel.
A step stool holds electrical tools, outlet covers, and tape, while a tool bag and drill sit nearby, indicating electrical work in progress.
Jun 12, 2025
Jun 12, 2025
Looking to size up your electrical system to cover higher usage and improve efficiency? Use this guide to see the cost to upgrade an electrical panel.
A woman turning on a light switch
Mar 20, 2025
Mar 20, 2025
Why is my light switch hot? It may indicate a serious electrical problem. Learn what causes hot light switches, how to fix the problem, and when to call a pro.
Mom and daughter reading by flashlight
Mar 10, 2025
Mar 10, 2025
Learn how to replace a fuse in a fuse box of your older home to restore the power to a blown electrical circuit.
An open electrical outlet with exposed wires is set in a white wall, with drywall dust on the floor, showing ongoing electrical installation work.
Apr 9, 2025
Apr 9, 2025
A dead outlet is more than an annoyance. It can be a fire hazard, too. Here’s how to deal with a dead outlet to keep your home safe and prevent fire.