Water Heater Permits

Is a permit required?

When installing a new water heater the city or county will require a permit.  A permit to install a water heater can be obtained by the home owner or the contractor.  If the contractor obtains the permit, there is usually a markup, it takes time to obtain a permit and arrange an inspection.  Home owners can decide to handle this themselves, so they can arrange the inspection of the water heater at a time that is convenient for them.  The inspectors usually require a days notice and will not give you an exact time that they will show up.  If an inspector knocks on your door an nobody answers, you fail the inspection and have to reschedule it.

What does a permit get me?

It basically gets you piece of mind, someone has looked at your water heater and confirmed it was install properly.  A permit costs over $100 today, plus a whole day waiting for an inspector. 

What if I don't get a permit

If you install a water heater without a permit and get caught, you will have to obtain the permit when you get caught.  We have not seen any penalties for getting a late permit.  90% of people do not obtain a permit to install their replacement water heaters.  If you have any question as to the quality of the job, we strongly recommend you get a permit. 

Permit to repair a water heater

Permits are not required to repair water heaters.

Failed Inspection

Failed inspections do happen.  Water heaters codes change frequently.  About 50 percent of all water heaters installed in the last 20 years would fail an inspection today.  Usually these recent code changes require minor adjustments.  Water heaters in homes older than 25 years, may require modifications that can cost between $100 and $200 dollars.  If you fail an inspection, you will need to have the problems fixed and recall for another inspection.