I am installing a bathroom in my basement and the ceilings are low and are drywall. We are beginning to design it and want a light above the vanity mirror. The light will be wall mounted. What is the minimum distance from the top of the light to the ceiling that is permitted?

There is no minimum. It can go wherever you want and wherever it fits.
Have you considered two lights, flanking the mirror?

Thank you for the answer. I thought about flanking, but the sink is in the corner and the light would be about 1.5 inches from the corner. Also thought about one light on one side on the wall of the vanity mirror and the other light on the adjacent wall, but wife does not like that approach.

What "the Wife" wants and what can be done are usually divergent things!

Good luck!

I can think of no reason that the vanity light could not be mounted to the ceiling if it would not look objectionable. You might also consider recessed lights in the ceiling.

HK, no offense, but recessed lighting over a vanity is terrible lighting.

Yes, I suppose but it would look nice.

It certainly makes the room look nice, but the light on your face in the mirror is horrible.

light on your face in the mirror is horrible.
Any light on my face makes me look horrible

Thanks for all the replies. There is ductwork above the sink, so any lighting above the sink is not an option. I plan on using a vanity light that has fluorescent bulbs, so heat should not be a problem. Want to make sure placement was OK.

Make sure you get a warm color fluorescent or you will look like a corpse!