Plumbing Permit (incl. Water Heater) in Surprise, Arizona
Required for plumbing work in Surprise beyond the code-permitted exemptions. Surprise adopted the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with local amendments, effective January 1, 2026. Permit-exempt plumbing work under the Surprise local amendment to IRC R105.2 includes: replacement of existing water heaters of the same size, type, and method of operation that were previously installed with a valid permit; hot water re-circulators; water softeners and soft water loops; solar pool/spa heating equipment installation or replacement; water filtration/purification systems; water lines for landscape irrigation. All other plumbing work, including new water heater installations (not in-kind replacements), new fixtures, or line replacements, requires a permit.
Verified 2026-06-29 · Source
When you need this permit
- Submit permit through Permits & Applications Portal at app.oncamino.com/surprise-az with plans uploaded via ProjectDox
- All work must comply with the 2024 IPC and Surprise local amendments (Ordinance 2025-14, effective January 1, 2026)
- In-kind replacement water heaters (same size, type, method of operation, previously installed with a valid permit) are permit-exempt under Surprise local IRC R105.2 Plumbing item 5
Required documents
- Req
Permits & Applications Portal submission (Clariti/Oncamino)
Initial permit request at app.oncamino.com/surprise-az
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing permit — valuation-based | 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. | Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. Plumbing work is permitted under the standard valuation-based building/fire permit fee. |
| Plan Review Fee | 65% of the permit fee (where plan review is required) | Citywide Fee Schedule, Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026. |
Review timeline
4–8 business days
Surprise’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Rough Plumbing
Underground and rough-in plumbing inspected before walls are closed or concrete is poured.
- 2
Final Plumbing
All plumbing fixtures and connections inspected at final.
Tips
- In-kind water heater replacement (same size, type, and method of operation, where the original was installed with a valid permit) is permit-exempt under Surprise's local amendment to IRC R105.2.
- New water heater installations (not replacing a previously-permitted unit in kind) require a permit.
- Surprise adopted the 2024 International Plumbing Code — confirm your work against the 2024 IPC and local amendments.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Surprise?
- If you are replacing an existing water heater with one of the same size, type, and method of operation, and the original was installed with a valid permit, then no permit is required under Surprise's local amendment to IRC R105.2. New water heater installations or replacements that change size, type, or method of operation require a permit. Source: City of Surprise Local Amendments to the 2024 IRC, Ordinance 2025-14.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.
- City of Surprise Community Development Department — Building Safety Division — official building department
- Currently Adopted Building Codes | City of Surprise
- Local Amendments to the 2024 International Codes and 2023 NEC (Ordinance 2025-14, effective 1/1/2026) — PDF
- Citywide Fee Schedule (Resolution #2026-16, effective 5/19/2026) — 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 Surprise building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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