PlainPermit

Do I need a permit for a water heater replacement in Washington, DC?

Short answer: Yes, a permit is required for a water heater replacement in Washington, DC.

Last verified: · Confidence: medium · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Permit required Confidence: medium

Yes. New and replacement gas appliances and new electric appliances need permits; trade permits are pulled by DC-licensed contractors.

What changes the answer

Note: DOB pages do not name water heaters explicitly; they fall under gas or electric appliances.

Cost

Fee not extracted; see DC DOB. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

Where to apply

DC Department of Buildings (DOB) online permits

Permitting authority: District of Columbia Department of Buildings (DOB). Covers the District of Columbia. Historic districts remove most exemptions. Work in public space (including many front yards and alleys) needs a separate DDOT public space permit. See also: how to apply for a building permit.

Official sources

“New and replacement gas appliances”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

“For residential projects, required when installing or replacing not more than one residential electric appliance.”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/instantpermits

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: medium

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