Home › Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Texas?
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Texas?
Source: Texas Plumbing Help (texasplumbinghelp.com), part of the Local Help Stations network (localhelpstations.com). Last updated November 2, 2026.
Texas has no single statewide water heater permit. Your city decides. Here is what each city we checked says.
| City | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | Plumbing permit required to replace a water heater; $34.24 plus $33.56 admin fee. | (source: City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Dallas | Permit required to replace a water heater; minimum fee $100.00 (2017 handout). | (source: City of Dallas Building Inspection) checked November 2, 2026 |
| San Antonio | Licensed contractor may replace in kind and get an LSR permit within three working days after. | (source: City of San Antonio Development Services) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Plano | Replacing or adding a water heater needs a permit (2016 list). | (source: City of Plano Building Inspections) checked November 1, 2026 |
| Corpus Christi | Installing a gas or electric water heater needs a plumbing permit. | (source: City of Corpus Christi Development Services) checked November 1, 2026 |
| Frisco | Self service permit with immediate access for water heater replacement. | (source: City of Frisco) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Irving | Permit required for water heaters (other appliances at existing connections are exempt). No plans. | (source: City of Irving) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Round Rock | Tank to tankless replacement needs a gas piping chart. | (source: City of Round Rock Building Inspection) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Garland | Permit required: $150 plus a 4.5% technology surcharge. | (source: City of Garland) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Fort Worth | Plumbing permit required, including water heaters. | (source: City of Fort Worth Development Services) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Arlington | Permit and inspection required for water heater replacement. | (source: City of Arlington Planning and Development Services) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Denton | Permit required; no plans needed. | (source: City of Denton Building Inspections) checked November 2, 2026 |
| Lubbock | Permit required for water heater replacement. | (source: City of Lubbock Building Safety) checked November 2, 2026 |
| McKinney | Residential water heater permit $40.00 (fee schedule shows no effective date). | (source: City of McKinney) checked November 2, 2026 |
Changing type, such as tank to tankless or electric to gas, usually needs more review. San Antonio excludes type changes from its LSR program, and Round Rock asks for a gas piping chart for tankless. (source: City of San Antonio Development Services)
A property owner does not need a plumbing license to do plumbing in the property owner's homestead (Occupations Code 1301.051). Your city can still require a permit and inspection. (source: Texas Legislature)
On this site: Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Texas? · Do plumbers need a license in Texas? · Can I do my own plumbing in Texas? · Plumbing jobs that do not need a permit in Texas cities · Plumbing permit fees in Texas cities · What inspectors check on a Texas water heater · How to check a Texas plumber's license and complain · Gas line and tankless work in Texas cities · Penalties for unlicensed plumbing in Texas · Cities · FAQ · Sources
Sources
- City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center: Water Heater Permit (HPWCODE1101) (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Dallas Building Inspection: How to: Plumbing (handout, 12-12-2017, PDF) (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of San Antonio Development Services: Information Bulletin 121c: Licensed Self Reporting (LSR) Permit Program (PDF) (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Plano Building Inspections: When Is a Permit Required? (PDF, revised 09/28/16) (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Corpus Christi Development Services: Homeowner's Guide to Permitting (PDF) (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Frisco: Residential Permits (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Irving: Residential Permits (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Round Rock Building Inspection: Homeowner Projects (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Garland: Water Heater Replacement (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Fort Worth Development Services: Residential Information (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Arlington Planning and Development Services: Building Permits and Inspections FAQs (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Denton Building Inspections: Plumbing (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Lubbock Building Safety: Residential Permitting (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of McKinney: Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Permit Fees (PDF, no effective date shown) (checked November 2, 2026)
- Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes): Occupations Code Chapter 1301: Plumbers (checked November 2, 2026)
- City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center: Homeowner's Plumbing Permit (HPWCODE1099) (checked November 2, 2026)
Last updated: