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Do I need a permit for a water heater replacement in Nashville, TN?

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.
Depends on your project Confidence: medium

Generally no permit to replace a residential 50-gallon water heater. Changing fuel type (e.g., gas to electric) needs a permit.

What changes the answer

Note: From a Metro Codes guideline on water-damaged water heaters (2026).

Cost

Fee not extracted; see Metro Codes. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/construction-and-permits/residential-building-permits

Where to apply

Metro Nashville Department of Codes & Building Safety (residential permits)

Permitting authority: Metro Nashville & Davidson County Department of Codes & Building Safety. Covers Metro Nashville-Davidson County; satellite cities inside the county may issue their own permits, so confirm locally. Historic overlays need Historical Commission review. The Codes "may or may not require a permit" list is dated April 4, 2011.

Official sources

“Generally, replacing a residential 50-gallon water heater does not require a permit. If you were to replace the water heater and change the fuel type (example: going from gas to electric), a permit is required.”

Source: https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/RepairGuidelines-WaterHeatingSystems.pdf?ct=1774012100

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: medium

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