Plumbing Permit (incl. Water Heater) in Phoenix, Arizona
Plumbing work in Phoenix is governed by the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC, including Appendices C and E) and 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC, including Appendices A, B, C, I and M) as adopted with Phoenix amendments under the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (Ordinance G-7397). Residential plumbing and water-heater work is permitted on the Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application (TRT/DOC/00030), which carries a combined Mech/Plumb plan-review line. Permit fees follow the valuation-based Table A, with a $98 minimum for residential water heaters.
Verified 2026-06-29 · Source
When you need this permit
- Plumbing work must comply with the 2024 IPC and 2024 UPC as adopted and amended in the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (Ordinance G-7397)
- Apply on the Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application (TRT/DOC/00030); the application's Plan Review Type includes a combined Mech/Plumb review line and a Plumbing fixture-units / water-meter / building-supply field
- The PDD Water Heater Guideline (TRT/DOC/00226) addresses water heaters in residential garages: a water heater in a garage corner may encroach a maximum of 2'-0" x 2'-0" into the required parking space
- As a property owner intended for sole occupancy and not offered for sale or rent within one year of completion you are not required to use a licensed contractor (ARS 32-1121.A.5); otherwise an Arizona ROC-licensed contractor is required
Required documents
- Req
Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application (TRT/DOC/00030)
Universal residential application used to permit plumbing and water-heater work; carries a Mech/Plumb plan-review line and plumbing (fixture-units / water-meter / building-supply) fields. Available on the PDD Residential Applications & Checklists page (dsd_trt_pdf_00030.pdf).
- Opt
Water Heater Guideline (TRT/DOC/00226)
PDD technical guideline for water heaters placed in residential garages (placement and 2'-0" x 2'-0" garage-corner encroachment limit); available on the PDD Residential Applications & Checklists page.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing / water heater permit — valuation-based (Table A) | $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. | PDD Fee Schedule, Table A (Ordinance G-7465, effective 1/20/2026, Appendix A.2). "$98 Minimum for Residential Water Heaters and Fences" is the verbatim Table A line. |
Review timeline
~1–10 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Phoenix building department
Inspection process
- 1
Pre-pour (underground plumbing) — per the residential inspection sequence
Before any concrete is poured, underground plumbing is inspected. Phoenix does not publish a plumbing-only inspection sequence; plumbing is inspected within the published residential inspection critical points (Residential Inspections page).
- 2
Final (plumbing fixtures and water meter) — per the residential inspection sequence
At final, plumbing fixtures and the water meter are among the items inspected when the interior is drywalled (Residential Inspections page).
Tips
- Phoenix adopts both the 2024 IPC and the 2024 UPC; confirm which plumbing code governs your project with PDD.
- Residential water heater permits have a $98 minimum permit fee under Table A.
- Water heaters in residential garages have specific placement rules — see the PDD Water Heater Guideline (TRT 00226).
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Phoenix?
- Yes. A water heater replacement is permitted on the Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application (TRT 00030). The permit fee has a $98 minimum under the valuation-based Table A ("$98 Minimum for Residential Water Heaters and Fences"). Water heaters in garages must meet the PDD Water Heater Guideline placement rules (TRT 00226). Source: City of Phoenix PDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465) and Water Heater Guideline TRT 00226.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.
- City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department — official building department
- Building Code (2024 PBCC adopted codes incl. 2024 IPC & UPC) | City of Phoenix PDD
- Residential Construction Permit / Plan Review Application (TRT 00030, Mech/Plumb review line) — PDF
- Residential Inspections | City of Phoenix PDD
- PDD Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-7465, effective 1/20/2026) — PDF
- Water Heater Guideline (TRT 00226) — PDF
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Phoenix building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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