Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Great Falls?

A plumbing permit is generally required, with a fee of $16.46 for the water heater fixture plus the $34.39 issuance fee, per Resolution No. 10374. Homeowners doing the work themselves on their own owner-occupied, non-rental residence may qualify for an exemption or a Homeowner's Plumbing Permit — confirm with the City Plumbing Inspector at (406) 455-8531.

What plumbing code does Great Falls use?

The 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), adopted by the City of Great Falls September 9, 2022, matching Montana's statewide UPC adoption — not the International Plumbing Code.

Plumbing Permit in Great Falls, Montana

Verified

Required for plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs in Great Falls. Governed by the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted by the City of Great Falls. Homeowners performing their own plumbing work on an owner-occupied, non-rental residence may be exempt from needing a permit, or may obtain a Homeowner's Plumbing Permit.

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

From$34.39Permit Issuance Fee — see all 10 fees below

When you need this permit

Plumbing permit required for installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing systems including water heaters, fixtures, and water/sewer service lines
Homeowners doing their own plumbing installation on their owner-occupied, non-speculative, non-rental residence may perform the work without obtaining a permit, per Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau guidance as applied in Great Falls
A Homeowner's Plumbing Permit is available where the homeowner wants formal permit coverage; work must be performed by the owner or an immediate family member residing in the home
Governed by the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), not the International Plumbing Code

Required documents

Optional
Homeowner's Plumbing Permit Application
For owner-occupant self-permitted plumbing work; includes occupancy/ownership acknowledgment checkboxes (Updated 3/2026)

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit Issuance Fee	$34.39	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees — Effective August 7, 2018
Each plumbing fixture or trap (or set of fixtures on one trap)	$12.65	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees, Item 1
Water service — repair, replacement, or new (1 only)	$27.87	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees, Item 2
Water heater installation	$16.46	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees, Item 3
Water piping or water-treating equipment installation/alteration/repair	$7.61 each	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees, Item 3
Lawn sprinkler system (per meter, incl. backflow protection)	$19.04	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees, Item 4
Private swimming pool	$75.86	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees, Item 5
Private spa	$37.94	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees, Item 5
Re-inspection Fee	$67.63 per hour, minimum 1-hour charge	City of Great Falls Homeowner's Plumbing Permit Application (Updated 3/2026) — current rate; supersedes the $62.62/hr figure in Resolution 10374
Investigation Fee (work commenced before permit issuance)	Equal to the permit fee	Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Plumbing Permit Fees, Item 5

Review timeline

~1–10 business days

Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Great Falls building department

Inspection process

1
Underground / Slab Plumbing
Before concrete pour — pipe slope, materials, cleanouts
2
Rough-In
After pipes installed, before walls closed
3
Final
All fixtures connected, no leaks, proper venting

Tips

Homeowners doing their own plumbing work on their owner-occupied, non-rental residence may not need a permit at all for the installation itself, per Montana DLI plumbing permit guidance — confirm current applicability with the City Plumbing Inspector before starting.
Water heater replacement is billed at $16.46 under Great Falls' plumbing fee schedule (Resolution 10374), plus the $34.39 permit issuance fee.
Contact the City Plumbing Inspector at (406) 455-8531 before starting a homeowner-permitted project.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Great Falls?: A plumbing permit is generally required, with a fee of $16.46 for the water heater fixture plus the $34.39 issuance fee, per Resolution No. 10374. Homeowners doing the work themselves on their own owner-occupied, non-rental residence may qualify for an exemption or a Homeowner's Plumbing Permit — confirm with the City Plumbing Inspector at (406) 455-8531.
What plumbing code does Great Falls use?: The 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), adopted by the City of Great Falls September 9, 2022, matching Montana's statewide UPC adoption — not the International Plumbing Code.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.

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 Great Falls building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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