PlainPermit

Home › Houston, TX › Water heater replacement

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

Last verified: · Confidence: high · 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: high

Yes. Replacing or installing a water heater needs a plumbing permit, pulled by a master plumber registered with the City of Houston. No plan review for a single-family home.

What changes the answer

Note: The official page states two different minimum fees ($91.05 and $97.56).

Cost

$34.24 for the first three heaters, $11.41 each after, with a minimum permit fee of $97.56, plus a $33.56 admin fee. (The same page also lists a $91.05 minimum; confirm locally.)

Fee source: https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/hpwcode1101

Where to apply

Houston Permitting Center (iPermits online)

Permitting authority: City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center (Houston Public Works). Applies inside Houston city limits. Planning, flood, and deed-restriction reviews can add requirements.

Official sources

“A plumbing permit is required for the replacement and installation of water heaters. ... Permit must be obtained by a master plumber registered with the City of Houston.”

Source: https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/hpwcode1101

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: high

See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction (anonymous, no email needed).

Other projects in Houston

Water heater replacement permits in other cities