Do I need a permit for a water heater replacement in Austin, TX?

Yes. Austin's official FY 2026-27 residential fee schedule lists water heaters under Residential Change-Out Program permits, a stand-alone plumbing change-out permit pulled by a registered contractor.

What changes the answer

• Trade permits are issued to Texas-licensed contractors or qualified homeowners (Homestead Permit)

Note: Water heaters are named in the fee schedule (Change-Out Program), not on a permit-requirements page. Austin's Change-Out application PDF was offline on 2026-10-19.

Cost

Change-Out Program permit; the schedule prices it at $74.05 (first system) on a line labeled HVAC, and the water heater amount is not stated separately. Unverified, confirm locally. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://austin.widen.net/s/fz9rhwg8qq/fees_residential

Where to apply

City of Austin Development Services (see Types of Permits for the right web form / AB+C Portal)

Permitting authority: City of Austin Development Services Department. Applies inside City of Austin jurisdiction. Flood hazard areas and the Wildland-Urban Interface change several exemptions.

Official sources

“Plumbing Change OutThis stand-alone permit is for plumbing change out work that does not require a formal review by plan review staff. You must be registered as a contractor before you apply.”

Source: https://www.austintexas.gov/development-services/types-permits

“Residential Change - Out Program Permits - HVAC (first system) $74.05 ... Includes: Water Heaters, replacement of backflow devices, irrigation systems, water yard lines and sewer yard lines”

Source: https://austin.widen.net/s/fz9rhwg8qq/fees_residential

Verified: 2026-10-19 · Status: verified · Confidence: medium