What is a bathroom vanity?
A vanity is the cabinet that holds a bathroom sink, topped with a countertop and one or two basins. Prefabricated vanities come in set sizes from home centers and online stores; a custom vanity is built to fit your wall, plumbing and storage needs. This Old House says to expect to pay nearly double for a custom vanity compared with a prefabricated one, because you choose the wood, finish, drawers and details such as pullouts and soft-close slides.
How tall is a bathroom vanity?
Vanities typically stand 32 to 36 inches from the floor to the top of the counter, Family Handyman reports. In older homes with unaltered bathrooms, 32 inches is common, while the taller 36-inch comfort height, the same as a kitchen counter, has grown more popular because it is easier on adults' backs. An accessible sink counter is set at 34 inches. If you choose a vessel sink that sits on top of the counter, a lower cabinet keeps the rim at a comfortable height.
How deep is a bathroom vanity?
The standard depth from the front of the vanity to the back wall is about 21 inches, and the countertop usually extends 1 to 1½ inches past the cabinet front, according to Family Handyman. Single-sink vanities are typically 30 to 48 inches wide, small ones as narrow as 24 inches, and double vanities 60 to 72 inches. A custom cabinet maker can build a shallower vanity for a narrow bath, but check that the sink and drain still fit.
How much room does a vanity need next to a toilet?
California Plumbing Code section 402.5 requires at least 15 inches from the center of a toilet to any side wall or obstruction, such as a vanity, and at least 24 inches of clear space in front of the toilet, as summarized in the City of Roseville's 2025-code bathroom remodel requirements. A wider vanity that crowds the toilet will fail inspection on a permitted remodel. The same checklist requires at least one GFCI-protected outlet within 3 feet of each sink basin.
Which materials hold up in a bathroom?
Moisture is the main enemy. Fixr notes that laminate or MDF cabinets that have sustained water damage are usually better replaced than repainted, so many cabinet makers use plywood for sink bases and seal every cut edge. Thermofoil doors, a vinyl skin over MDF, can loosen with heat and moisture, and The Spruce lists curling irons and blow dryers as common culprits. A working exhaust fan helps too: Roseville's 2025-code checklist requires one of at least 50 cfm in any bathroom with a tub or shower, vented to the outside.
Do you need a permit to replace a vanity?
The cabinet itself is finish work that the California Residential Code exempts from permits, but disconnecting and reconnecting the sink, moving the drain or adding outlets is plumbing or electrical work. The City of Sacramento handles like-for-like kitchen and bath remodels with a Residential Interior Remodel Questionnaire (form CDD-0162). When a bathroom alteration is permitted, CALGreen requires replacing noncompliant fixtures in the work area; Roseville lists a 1.2-gallon-per-minute maximum for bathroom faucets.
| Item | Typical size or rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vanity height | 32–36 in | 32 in common in older homes; 36 in comfort height; 34 in for an accessible sink counter |
| Vanity depth | About 21 in | Countertop overhangs the front 1–1½ in |
| Single-sink width | 30–48 in | Small vanities from 24 in |
| Double-sink width | 60–72 in | Check toilet clearance before going wider |
| Toilet center to vanity or wall | At least 15 in | California Plumbing Code 402.5 |
| Clear space in front of toilet | At least 24 in | California Plumbing Code 402.5 |
| Outlet near the sink | Within 3 ft of each basin, GFCI | California Electrical Code 210.52(D), 210.8 |
| New bathroom faucet | 1.2 gpm maximum | Required when a permitted alteration replaces fixtures (CALGreen 4.303) |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a custom bathroom vanity cost?
Where can I buy a bathroom vanity?
How do I choose a bathroom vanity?
How do you replace a bathroom vanity?
Sources
- How Much Does Bathroom Vanity Replacement Cost? (2026) — This Old House
- How To Choose the Perfect Bathroom Vanity Height — Family Handyman
- Everything You Need To Know About Bathroom Vanities (standard sizes) — Family Handyman
- Residential Bathroom Remodels: 2025 Code Requirements (revised 01/01/2026) — City of Roseville Development Services, Building Inspection Division
- How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? [2026 Data] (updated Jan. 27, 2026) — Fixr
- How to Fix Peeling Thermofoil Cabinets — The Spruce
- 2025 California Residential Code R105.2 Work Exempt from Permit (handout) — City of Lathrop Building Department
- Minor Permits: residential kitchen and bathroom remodels — City of Sacramento Community Development Department
- How Much Do Custom Cabinets Cost? (2026 Prices) — HomeGuide