Do I Need a Permit to Replace a Water Heater in Arizona?
Water heater replacement permit requirements. Yes, even for like-for-like swaps. What inspectors check and how to pass.
Yes — even for a like-for-like replacement.
Why a Simple Swap Needs a Permit
Most jurisdictions require a permit for all water heater replacements, even when you're installing the same type and size. The permit ensures proper venting, gas connections, temperature/pressure relief valve discharge, and seismic strapping. Improper water heater installations are a leading cause of residential CO poisoning and water damage.
What Inspectors Check
The inspector will verify: gas line connections and drip leg (sediment trap), proper venting (metal B-vent for standard, PVC for high-efficiency), T&P relief valve discharging to within 6 inches of the floor or exterior, seismic strapping (two straps — upper and lower third), and adequate combustion air supply.
Tankless Conversion
Converting from a tank to tankless water heater often requires additional work: a larger gas line (tankless units draw more BTUs), PVC venting (most tankless units are high-efficiency), and potentially an electrical outlet for the unit. This may trigger both plumbing and gas permits.
DIY vs. Hiring a Plumber
Many jurisdictions allow homeowners to replace their own water heater in their primary residence — confirm with your city. You still must pull the permit and pass inspection. Most homeowners hire a licensed plumber because the permit and inspection process is simpler when the contractor handles it.
Yes, you need a $40-$60 permit. It's a quick same-day approval and one final inspection. Don't skip it — it protects you and your home.
Permit fees by city in Arizona
Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.
99 rows
| Permit fee | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Junction | $200 per dwelling unitVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Avondale | $96.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Benson | Same Building Permit Fee valuation table as other trades: $47.00 (valuation $1-$1,000) scaling up to $6,712.00 + $4.40 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Bisbee | $55.00 residential / $60.00 commercialVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Buckeye | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Bullhead City | $26.74Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Camp Verde | $47.00 ($1-$500); $47.00 + $4.25 per additional $100 to $2,000; $108.00 + $16.50 per additional $1,000 to $25,000; $476.00 + $12.50 per additional $1,000 to $50,000; $784.00 + $9.25 per additional $1,000 to $100,000; $1,217.00 + $7.25 per additional $1,000 to $500,000; $3,997.00 + $6.25 per additional $1,000 to $1,000,000; $6,982.00 + $5.25 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Home) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Home) → |
| Carefree | Same valuation schedule as building permits: $25 flat up to $500, scaling to $11,850 + $5/additional $1,000 above $1,000,000Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Casa Grande | $75.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Cave Creek | $50.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Chandler | $100.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Chino Valley | $110.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| City of Globe | 25% of the Building Permit Fee Table (Table 1-A, valuation-based), plus a $30 administrative feeVerified | Plumbing Permit (OTC / Stand-Alone) → |
| City of Maricopa | $56Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| City of St. Johns | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit | Residential Building Permit → |
| Clarkdale | Calculated from ICC Building Safety Journal square-foot construction-cost tables / Table 1-A methodology, or itemized per the Town's fee scheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Colorado City | Confirmed gap — set by a separate Town Council resolution not published on the Town's website as of the last verificationVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Coolidge | $22.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Cottonwood | $45.24Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Dewey-Humboldt | Per Yavapai County Valuation and Fee Schedule (pass-through fee, based on project valuation/square footage), PLUS a Town Building Permit Administration fee of 42% of the calculated building permit feeVerifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, incl. Single-Family Residence, ADU, Garage/Carport, Room Addition, Manufactured Home) | Building Permit (New Construction, incl. Single-Family Residence, ADU, Garage/Carport, Room Addition, Manufactured Home) → |
| Douglas | $45.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Eagar | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| El Mirage | Flat fee — see FY26-27 Comprehensive Fee ScheduleVerified | Water Heater / Water Supply Line / Sewer Line Permit → |
| Eloy | $70.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Flagstaff | $29.90Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Florence | $75.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Fountain Hills | $140.00Verified | Plumbing Permit (Water Heater / Minor) → |
| Fredonia | Non-refundable fee due at submittal (exact amount not published)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Gila Bend | 65% of Permit Fee (includes 1st and 2nd review)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Gilbert | $150Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Glendale | $29.79 base feeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Goodyear | $0 plan review (up to $10,000 valuation) or $97/hr min $50 (over $10,000); $55 Base + $35 Permit + $102 ApplicationVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Guadalupe | $50 minimum (valuation $1-$500), scaling per the Town's valuation-based Building Permit Fee tableVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Holbrook | Based on IBC/UBC Building Data-IRC 2018 valuation charts and formulas (valuation-based; no flat dollar figure published)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Remodel / Accessory Building) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Remodel / Accessory Building) → |
| Huachuca City | $50.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Jerome | $50.00 for each tradeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Kayenta Township | 1% of estimated project valuationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit | Residential Building Permit → |
| Kingman | $24.68 ($1-$500); $24.68 + $3.20 per additional $100 to $2,000; $72.71 + $14.70 per additional $1,000 to $25,000; $411.34 + $10.61 per additional $1,000 to $50,000; $675.89 + $7.35 per additional $1,000 to $100,000; $1,043.44 + $5.88 per additional $1,000 to $500,000; $3,395.44 + $4.99 per additional $1,000 to $1,000,000; $5,889.19 + $3.83 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lake Havasu City | Valuation-based or per applicable flat retainer, consistent with the City's Uniform Building Code fee-schedule reference (Master Fee Schedule, Service Nos. S-033/S-034)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Litchfield Park | $75Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Marana | $150.00Verified | Plumbing Permit (Water Heater Replacement / Interior Re-Pipe / Miscellaneous Plumbing) → |
| Mesa | $0–$8,333: $220; $8,334–$16,667: $330; $16,668–$24,999: $440; $25,000–$200,000: $500 plus $6/each $1,000 over $25,000Verified | Plumbing Permit (Stand-Alone) → |
| Nogales | Based on Valuation (2012 IRC Appendix L 'Permit Fees', adopted by City Code Sec. 5-26 and Ordinance No. 2015-11-005) — no separately itemized flat plumbing fee line was found; billed under the same valuation mechanism as other building permit work.Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Oro Valley | $35.80Verified | Plumbing Permit (Water Heater, Tankless Water Heater, Re-Pipe) → |
| Page | $23.50 (valuation $1-$500) through $5,608.75 + $3.65 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Paradise Valley | $130.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Parker | $50.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Peoria | Minimum fee $87. Valuation-based permit fee per Development Fee Schedule. There is no separate flat-fee plumbing schedule; valuation is based on the scope of work.Verified | Plumbing Permit (incl. Water Heater) → |
| Phoenix | $1–$1,000: $98 minimum for residential water heaters (otherwise $195 base fee); $1,001–$10,000: $195 on first $1,000 plus $12 per additional $1,000; larger projects per Table A tiers.Verified | Plumbing Permit (incl. Water Heater) → |
| Pima | $100.00Verifiedvia Building / Addition / Remodel Permit | Building / Addition / Remodel Permit → |
| Pinetop-Lakeside | Based on the Most Current International Code Council Building Valuation Data (published bi-annually), by Type of Construction, per ICC Building Fee Schedule Appendix L; calculated to the nearest $1,000 of valuationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel) → |
| Prescott | Total building square footage × $0.0792Verified | Plumbing Only Permit → |
| Prescott Valley | Greater of $53.50 or $0.03 per square footVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Quartzsite | Calculated dynamically through iWorq per Table 1-A of the currently adopted International Plumbing CodeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Queen Creek | 25% of Fee Table, plus $20 administrative feeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Safford | Building Permit Fee Schedule valuation bracket for the work performed, PLUS $5.00 utility add-on (schedule also lists 'sewer' separately under the same $5 add-on note)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Sahuarita | 25% of the Building Permit Fee (per the § 3.10.080(A) valuation schedule applied to the plumbing work's value)Verified | Plumbing Permit (Utility Submittal) → |
| Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community | Per Appendix N Table 1A: $60 for $1–$500 valuation, scaling up through $7,550 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.00 per additional $1,000 for valuations above $1,000,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit | Residential Building Permit → |
| San Luis | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Scottsdale | $63Verified | Water Heater Permit → |
| Sedona | Per City of Sedona Consolidated Fee Schedule, Valuation/Permit Fee ScheduleVerifiedvia Single-Family Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Single-Family Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Show Low | Formulated by the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC) valuation-based fee scheduleVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Sierra Vista | $25Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Snowflake | $50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels) → |
| Somerton | $20 (Plumbing Fee Sheet) / $25 (Resolution No. 2026-004)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| South Tucson | $28.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Springerville | $100.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Additions, Remodels) → |
| Surprise | Base: $100 per permit. Valuation $1.00–$999,999.99: $6.00 per each $1,000 of valuation. Plus 0.50% administrative processing fee on valuation.Verified | Plumbing Permit (incl. Water Heater) → |
| Taylor | 75% of standard ICC/UBC valuation-based fee tableVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Tempe | $242 (includes plan review)Verified | Plumbing Permit (incl. Water/Sewer Line Replacement) → |
| Thatcher | Set by Town Council resolution — no fixed dollar figure is publishedVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Tohono O'odham Nation | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (One- and Two-Family Dwellings) fee | Residential Building Permit (One- and Two-Family Dwellings) → |
| Tolleson | Same valuation-based table as new construction (see Residential Building Permit fee entry)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Tombstone | Same Building Permit valuation table as other trades: $0 ($0-$500.99) scaling to $7,366.30 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.84 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000.01Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Town of Payson | $109.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Town of Winkelman | See city page for the current Building Permit (New Construction, Residential and Commercial) fee | Building Permit (New Construction, Residential and Commercial) → |
| Tucson | $150.00Verified | Plumbing Permit (Trade Permit) → |
| Tusayan | $50.00 base fee to issue, plus per-fixture/per-unit charges (e.g., plumbing fixture or trap, building sewer, water heater, water piping system, gas piping system by outlet count)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Apache County | Based on the August 2016 ICC Building Valuation Data TableVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, One- and Two-Family Dwelling) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, One- and Two-Family Dwelling) → |
| Unincorporated Cochise County | $24.00 for $1–$500 of valuation; $30.00+$1.00/$100 over $500 for $501–$5,000; $69.00+$11.00/$1,000 over $2,000 for $5,001–$40,000; $487.00+$9.00/$1,000 over $40,000 for $40,001–$100,000; $1,027+$7.00/$1,000 over $100,000 for $100,001–$500,000; $3,827.00+$5.00/$1,000 over $500,000 for $500,001–$1,000,000; $6,327.00+$3.00/$1,000 over $1,000,000 for $1,000,001–$5,000,000; $18,327+$1.00/$1,000 over $5,000,000 for $5,000,001 and overVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) → |
| Unincorporated Coconino County | $50.00 baseVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Gila County | $25.00 per permitVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Graham County | Valuation = $100.00 per livable square foot, run through the Total Valuation fee bracket table: $1-$500: $20; $501-$2,000: $20 for the first $500 plus $1.00 per additional $100 or fraction; $2,001-$25,000: $20 for the first $2,000 plus $4.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $25,001-$50,000: $112 for the first $25,000 plus $3.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $50,001-$100,000: $187 for the first $50,000 plus $2.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $100,001-$500,000: $287 for the first $100,000 plus $1.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction; $500,001 and up: $887 for the first $500,000 plus $1.00 per additional $1,000 or fractionVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) → |
| Unincorporated La Paz County | $1–$500: $50.00; $501–$2,000: $50.00 for first $500 plus $4.00 per additional $100 (or fraction) to $2,000; $2,001–$25,000: $110.00 for first $2,000 plus $16.00 per additional $1,000 (or fraction) to $25,000; $25,001–$50,000: $478.00 for first $25,000 plus $12.00 per additional $1,000 to $50,000; $50,001–$100,000: $780.00 for first $50,000 plus $8.00 per additional $1,000 to $100,000; $100,001–$500,000: $1,180.00 for first $100,000 plus $6.00 per additional $1,000 to $500,000; $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,580.00 for first $500,000 plus $6.00 per additional $1,000 to $1,000,000; $1,000,001+: $6,580.00 for first $1,000,000 plus $2.70 per additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof), Maximum Permit Fee: $250,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) → |
| Unincorporated Maricopa County | $50 flat eachVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Mohave County | $1–$500: $21.60; $501–$2,000: $21.60 for first $500 + $2.70 per addl $100; $2,001–$25,000: $62.10 for first $2,000 + $12.42 per addl $1,000; $25,001–$50,000: $347.76 for first $25,000 + $8.64 per addl $1,000; $50,001–$100,000: $563.76 for first $50,000 + $6.21 per addl $1,000; $100,001–$500,000: $874.26 for first $100,000 + $4.86 per addl $1,000; $500,001–$1,000,000: $2,818.26 for first $500,000 + $4.32 per addl $1,000; $1,000,000+: $4,978.26 for first $1,000,000 + $2.70 per addl $1,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) → |
| Unincorporated Navajo County | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Accessory Structure) → |
| Unincorporated Pima County | $27Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Pinal County | $42.00 (plus $6.50 per supplemental permit on an unexpired original permit)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Santa Cruz County | $1–$500: $60.00 minimum fee; $501–$2,000: $23.50 for the first $500 + $3.00 per additional $100 (or fraction), $60 minimum; $2,001–$25,000: $69.00 for the first $2,000 + $14.00 per additional $1,000 (or fraction); $25,001–$50,000: $391.50 for the first $25,000 + $10.00 per additional $1,000; $50,001–$100,000: $643.50 for the first $50,000 + $7.00 per additional $1,000; $100,001–$500,000: $993.50 for the first $100,000 + $5.50 per additional $1,000; $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,233.50 for the first $500,000 + $4.50 per additional $1,000; $1,000,001+: $5,608.50 for the first $1,000,000 + $3.50 per additional $1,000Verifiedvia Residential Building/Grading Permit (New Construction, Additions, Accessory Structures) | Residential Building/Grading Permit (New Construction, Additions, Accessory Structures) → |
| Unincorporated Yavapai County | $200Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence, Addition, Remodel, Accessory Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence, Addition, Remodel, Accessory Structure) → |
| Unincorporated Yuma County | $310.00 (as published in the current Residential Permit Guide's Fee Schedules table; the underlying valuation-based Table 1-A brackets are published as Attachment #3 to the county's Fee Schedule document and are not reproduced here as line-item dollar brackets)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel) → |
| Wellton | Calculated by Building Safety Division staff at intake based on project valuationVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Wickenburg | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Willcox | 25% of the Construction Fee, minimum $30.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Williams | Fee schedule as established by City of Williams resolution of the City Council (exact dollar amounts not published)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Winslow | Calculated per Table 1-1 of the 1997 Uniform Plumbing Code, plus 10%Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Youngtown | $85 minimum ($0-$500 value); $85 + $3.05/additional $100 to $2,000; $150.75 + $14/additional $1,000 to $25,000; $442.75 + $10.10/additional $1,000 to $50,000; $695.25 + $7/additional $1,000 to $100,000; $1,045.25 + $5.60/additional $1,000 to $500,000; $3,285.25 + $4.75/additional $1,000 to $1,000,000; $5,660.25 + $3.65/additional $1,000 above $1,000,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (Additions, Alterations, New Construction, Garages, Shops) | Residential Building Permit (Additions, Alterations, New Construction, Garages, Shops) → |
| Yuma | $50.00 (plus $7.00 for each supplemental permit on an unexpired original)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |