Do I Need a Permit to Replace a Water Heater in Colorado?
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 Colorado
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.
125 rows
| Permit fee | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Akron | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Alamosa | $24Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Arvada | Assessed as the Table 18-1 valuation-based Building Permit Fee (same schedule as new construction; see Residential Building Permit fee tiers, $34 minimum up to $5,669.25 + $3.45/$1,000 over $1M) plus Use TaxVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Aspen | Computed via the City's Building Permit Fee Estimator (Excel) referencing the current Municipal Code Fee Ordinance (Title 2)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Ault | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Aurora | $99.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Avon | 15% of Building Permit FeeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Basalt | $21.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Town of Basalt Building Permit Fee ScheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Bennett | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the June 2026 Schedule of FeesVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Berthoud | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Blue River | $50.00Verified | Plumbing Permit (Type C Permit) → |
| Boulder | $68.85Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Bow Mar | $100.00 flat fee to the Town of Bow MarVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Breckenridge | $50.00 minimum, scaling per valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Brighton | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the 2026 Community Development Fee ScheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Broomfield | $23.50Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Burlington | Set by the Colorado State Plumbing Board fee schedule (DORA), not the City of BurlingtonVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Calhan | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit (State-Default, Unconfirmed Local Program) fee | Plumbing Permit (State-Default, Unconfirmed Local Program) → |
| Cañon City | Set by the State of Colorado (DORA), not the CityVerified | Plumbing Permit (State of Colorado Program) → |
| Castle Pines | Per 2026 Fee Schedule Table 1-A valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Castle Rock | $75.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Centennial | $23.50 minimum ($1-$500 valuation), scaling per the Building Permit Fee Schedule tableVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Center | Set by the Colorado DORA/DPO Plumbing Board, not the Town of CenterVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Cheyenne Wells | $25.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit | Residential Building Permit → |
| City of Fountain | $80.00 for the first $2,000 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereofVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family/Duplex Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family/Duplex Construction) → |
| Colorado Springs | $40.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Columbine Valley | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit (Building Permit with Plan Review) fee | Plumbing Permit (Building Permit with Plan Review) → |
| Commerce City | $30.41Verified | Plumbing/Gas Permit (RPLMB / CPLMB) → |
| Conejos County (Unincorporated) | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Cortez | $35.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Craig | Not separately published as a standalone line item distinct from the general $100 structure permit feeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Crested Butte | Per the 2026 Fee Schedule's Building Permit valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Cripple Creek | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Dacono | Computed from ICC Building Valuation Data / project valuation, same general schedule basis as BuildingVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Delta | Not published on any City of Delta page or document — this is a State-set fee, outside City of Delta jurisdiction and outside the scope of the City's own Schedule of Fees and ChargesVerified | Plumbing Permit (Issued by the State of Colorado, Not the City) → |
| Denver | Assessed on the plumbing work's valuation using Denver's Building Permit and Plan Review Fee Schedule (ADMIN 125/138 Table 1) — e.g. $35 for $501–$2,000 valuation, $35 for the first $2,000 plus $8/each additional $1,000 up to $25,000, scaling up through the table's brackets to $5,385 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.65/each additional $1,000 over that; quick permits carry $0 plan review fee (Table 2 valuation applies if higher than the applicant-submitted valuation)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Dillon | Total plumbing valuation x 0.0075, $65.00 minimumVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Durango | Calculated the same way as a standalone Building Permit Fee, per the July 2026 Fee Schedule valuation tiers ($24.00 minimum)Verified | Plumbing / Gas Line Permit → |
| Eagle | $65.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Eaton | $125.00Verified | Plumbing Permit (Water Line/Sewer Repair, Backflow, Water Heater) → |
| Edgewater | $35.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the City's Fee Surcharge ScheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Erie | $45.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Estes Park | $23.50 minimum, scaling per valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Evans | $26.24 minimum, scaling per valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Federal Heights | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the City's Building Fees scheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Firestone | $141.20Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Florence | Set by the State of Colorado DORA Plumbing Board, not the City of FlorenceVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Fort Collins | $65.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Fort Lupton | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Fort Morgan | $35.00 flat feeVerified | Plumbing / Gas / Water & Sewer Line Permit → |
| Frederick | $200.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Frisco | Determined by applying the project valuation to the corresponding Building Permit Valuation fee tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Fruita | Valuation-based per Table 2 Permit Fee Schedule (e.g., $35.00 minimum up to $500 valuation)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Garden City | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Gilcrest | Per the 1997 UBC Table 1A-based valuation schedule in the Town's current fee handout, starting at $23.00 minimumVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Glenwood Springs | Calculated the same way as a standalone Building Permit Fee, per Table 1-A valuation tiers ($23.50 minimum)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Golden | Calculated per the Building Permit Fee Table valuation tiers ($25.85 minimum)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Grand Junction | Valuation-based per Table 2 Permit Fee Schedule (e.g., $50.00 minimum up to $1,200 valuation)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Greeley | $23.50 minimum ($1-$500 valuation), scaling per the City's 2024 Building Permit Fee Schedule Table 1-AVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Gypsum | $60.00 base plus $16.00 per additional increment (per Table 3) — e.g. the code's own worked example prices an $8,400 installation at $204.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Haxtun | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Holyoke | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Hudson | $35.00 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the Building Permit Fees scheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Johnstown | $50.00Verified | Plumbing Permit (Water/Sewer Line Upgrade, Water Heater) → |
| Julesburg | No fixed dollar figure is codified — 'all applications will be subject to the market fee for items to be inspected' (Municipal Code Section 15.08.100(A), text as fully replaced by Ordinance No. 23-472 § 2, 2023)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Keenesburg | $65.00Verified | Plumbing Permit (Sewer Repair / Gas Line Pressure Check) → |
| Kersey | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| La Junta | Not published on the City's site; set and collected by the State of Colorado DPOVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| La Salle | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Lafayette | $30.00 minimum, scaling per valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Lakewood | $80.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Lamar | $31.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Larkspur | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Littleton | $25.85 minimum, scaling per valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Lochbuie | $50.00 eachVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Lone Tree | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the 2026 Building Fees scheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Longmont | $40.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Louisville | $28.00 minimum, scaling per valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Loveland | Based on the current ICC Building Valuation Data applied to the stated project valuationVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Lyons | $135Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Mead | $60Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Milliken | 10% of combined Building, Electrical, Construction Meter, and Plan Review feesVerified | Plumbing Permit (Water/Sewer Line Repair) → |
| Montrose | Set by City Council resolution and referred to in the City Regulations Manual; specific dollar amount not published in any currently-live City-hosted documentVerified | Plumbing / Gas Permit → |
| Morrison | Per the adopted codeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Mount Crested Butte | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mountain View | $40.00 for total valuation $1.00-$500.00; $40.00 for the first $500.00 plus $2.00 per additional $100.00 (or fraction) from $501.00-$2,000.00; $70.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $2,001.00-$25,000.00; $391.25 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.10 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $25,001.00-$50,000.00; $643.75 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.00 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $50,001.00-$100,000.00; $993.75 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.60 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $100,001.00-$500,000.00; continuing per the same table above $500,000.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Mountain Village | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Nederland | Determined per-project by Town/SAFEbuilt staff at applicationVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Northglenn | $23.50 minimum, scaling per valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Nunn | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Palisade | $10.00 flat feeVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) — Town Planning Clearance + Mesa County Building Permit | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) — Town Planning Clearance + Mesa County Building Permit → |
| Parker | $23.50Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Pierce | No separate published plumbing-specific line item; billed under the same 'UBC fee schedule + $30 or 30% (greater)' structureVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Platteville | No distinct plumbing-permit dollar figure is separately published — verified-negative, confirmed 2026-07-23Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Poncha Springs | $20.00 per fixtureVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Pueblo | $55.13Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Rifle | Included within, and paid together with, the overall Building Permit Fee at issuanceVerified | Plumbing Permit (Bundled with Building Permit) → |
| Saguache | $20.00Verifiedvia Building Permit | Building Permit → |
| Salida | $20.00 per fixtureVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Sedgwick | $30.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Roof/Siding, Foundation, Relocation) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Roof/Siding, Foundation, Relocation) → |
| Severance | Valuation-based, determined by SAFEbuilt ColoradoVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Silver Cliff | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit (State of Colorado) fee | Plumbing Permit (State of Colorado) → |
| Silverthorne | 0.0075 x total plumbing valuation, minimum $65.00, plus 65% plan review fee when requiredVerified | Residential Plumbing Permit → |
| Springfield | Not applicable — see Building Permit Application Fee ($50.00) and Building Cost Fee ($1.00/$1,000, max $2,000.00)Verified | Plumbing Permit (State-Administered) → |
| Steamboat Springs | $100.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Sterling | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Superior | $28.50 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the 2026 Governmental Fee ScheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Telluride | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Thornton | $30.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Timnath | Not published onlineVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Town of Carbondale | $75.00Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Trinidad | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Pueblo County | $55.13Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Teller County | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Unincorporated Washington County | $100.00 flat, for all buildings except Use by Special Review (commercial-use) buildingsVerifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel, Accessory Structures) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel, Accessory Structures) → |
| Vail | See city page for the current Plumbing Permit fee | Plumbing Permit → |
| Victor | $23.50 minimum, scaling per the valuation tiers in the City's Fee & Fine ScheduleVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Walsh | $15.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (Structures, Carports, Fences, and Other Construction) | Building Permit (Structures, Carports, Fences, and Other Construction) → |
| Wellington | $75 minimum, scaling per the tiers in the Fee Schedule effective 2026-04-01Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Westcliffe | Set by the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA/DPO) statewide fee schedule — not a Town of Westcliffe feeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Westminster | An additional 15% of the Building Permit Fee, plus 15% of the Plan Review FeeVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Wheat Ridge | $60Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Windsor | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based fee (not separately published for standalone plumbing work)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Winter Park | $54.00 minimum, scaling per valuation tiersVerified | Plumbing Permit → |
| Yuma | Set by the Colorado State Plumbing Board fee schedule (not a City of Yuma fee)Verified | Plumbing Permit → |