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PermitBase

Do I Need a Permit to Replace a Water Heater in Utah?

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.

Utah-specific rules

Adopted code: 2021 IPC, adopted statewide under Utah Code § 15A-2-103 through June 30, 2026; the 2024 IPC takes effect statewide July 1, 2026.

Sources: Utah State Construction and Fire Codes Act (Title 15A)

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 Utah

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.

CityPermit feeSource
Alpine$1,000.00, payable upon submission of plans and deducted from the plan check feeVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Home)Residential Building Permit (New Home)
American Fork$50.00VerifiedPlumbing Permit
Bountiful$75.00 (plus state surcharge ~1%)VerifiedWater Heater Permit
Brigham CityValuation-based (illustrative sample: $1,951.93 on a $250,000 valuation)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Dwelling)Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Dwelling)
Cedar CitySee city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single Family, Duplexes, Twin Homes, Townhomes) feeResidential Building Permit (New Construction, Single Family, Duplexes, Twin Homes, Townhomes)
Cedar HillsBased on valuation (no flat table published; assessed per International Building Code valuation methodology)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Centerville$70.70VerifiedPlumbing Permit
ClearfieldValuation-based per building permit fee table (see residential building permit fees)VerifiedPlumbing Permit
Clinton$58.80Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Coalville$10 issuance fee plus $0.035 per square footVerifiedPlumbing Permit
Cottonwood Heights100% of the building valuation data table from the most current IBC edition adopted in UtahVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Dwelling / Remodel)Residential Building Permit (New Dwelling / Remodel)
Draper$150.00VerifiedWater Heater Permit
Eagle Mountain$24Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Enoch CitySet by the Uniform Building Code valuation table, plus a 1% State of Utah surcharge on the total building permit fee.Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
EphraimICC Building Valuation Data-based, city-limits rate (lowest of the county's three rate tiers); no static current dollar figure published -- quoted through the county's online permit portalVerifiedvia Single-Family Residential Building PermitSingle-Family Residential Building Permit
Farmington$75.00Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Farr WestBased on square footage and valuation; amount cannot be determined until plan review is completed by the Building Inspector.Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Home)Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Home)
Fruit HeightsBased on current building valuation (no published flat rate or per-square-foot table)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Dwelling)Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Dwelling)
Grantsville0.0068 x total permit valueVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (Single Family Dwelling)Residential Building Permit (Single Family Dwelling)
Heber CityValuation-based per the ICC Building Safety Journal fee tables, updated biannuallyVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Herriman$100VerifiedWater Heater Permit
HighlandAs Set Forth by the International Code Council (valuation-based; no fixed city table published)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Home)Residential Building Permit (New Home)
HolladayDetermined per project valuation using the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code, Table 3-AVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Dwelling / Remodel)Residential Building Permit (New Dwelling / Remodel)
Hurricane$1–$500: $24 flat. $501–$2,000: $24 + $3 per additional $100 or fraction, up to $2,000. $2,001–$40,000: $69 + $11 per additional $1,000 or fraction, up to $40,000. $40,001–$100,000: $487 + $9 per additional $1,000 or fraction, up to $100,000. $100,000–$500,000: $1,027 + $7 per additional $1,000 or fraction, up to $500,000. $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,827 + $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction, up to $1,000,000. $1,000,001–$5,000,000: $6,327 + $3 per additional $1,000 or fraction, up to $5,000,000. $5,000,001 and over: $18,327 + $1 per additional $1,000 or fraction.Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
IvinsBased on Valuation, using the City's 1997 Valuation CodeVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Kaysville$25 (non-refundable deposit, processed upfront toward total building fees due upon issuance)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
La VerkinBased upon 90% of the square foot construction costs chart (dated 06/18/08)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
LaytonValuation-based per building permit fee table (see residential building permit fees)VerifiedWater Heater Permit
LehiValuation-based per Lehi City building permit fee scheduleVerifiedPlumbing Permit
LindonDetermined using 1997 Uniform Building Code, Table 1-A, applied to project valuationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New SFD, Townhome, Duplex, ADU)Residential Building Permit (New SFD, Townhome, Duplex, ADU)
Logan$50.00VerifiedWater Heater Permit
MapletonBased on IBC valuation table, multiplied by a 0.005 factorVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Midvale5% of the Building Permit FeeVerifiedPlumbing Permit
Millcreek$70VerifiedWater Heater Permit
Moab$1.00–$500.00: $85.00 flat. $501.00–$2,000.00: $100.00 for the first $500 plus $3.66 for each additional $100 (or fraction). $2,001.00–$25,000.00: $119.90 for the first $2,000 plus $16.80 for each additional $1,000 (or fraction). $25,001.00–$50,000.00: $506.30 for the first $25,000 plus $12.12 for each additional $1,000. $50,001.00–$100,000.00: $809.30 for the first $50,000 plus $8.40 for each additional $1,000. $100,001.00–$500,000.00: $1,229.30 for the first $100,000 plus $6.72 for each additional $1,000. $500,001.00–$1,000,000.00: $3,917.30 for the first $500,000 plus $6.72 for each additional $1,000. $1,000,001.00 and up: $7,277.30 for the first $1,000,000 plus $6.72 for each additional $1,000.Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Monticello$1–$500: $23.50 flat. $501–$2,000: $23.50 for the first $500 plus $3.05 for each additional $100. $2,001–$25,000: $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000. $25,001–$50,000: $391.25 for the first $25,000 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000. $50,001–$100,000: $643.75 for the first $50,000 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000. $100,001–$500,000: $993.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000. $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,233.75 for the first $500,000 plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000. $1,000,000 and up: $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.15 for each additional $1,000.Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Morgan County$100.00VerifiedPlumbing Permit
Murray$100VerifiedPlumbing Permit
NephiBased off valuation (no flat citywide table published; fee computed by the contracted plans examiner/building inspector from project valuation)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Nibley$1–$500: $24.00 flat. $501–$2,000: $24 for the first $500 plus $3 for each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof). $2,001–$40,000: $69 for the first $2,000 plus $11 for each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof). $40,001–$100,000: $487 for the first $40,000 plus $9 for each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof). $100,001–$500,000: $1,027 for the first $100,000 plus $7 for each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof). $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,827 for the first $500,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof). $1,000,001–$5,000,000: $6,327 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3 for each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof). $5,000,001 and over: $18,327 for the first $5,000,000 plus $1 for each additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof).Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
North LoganAs established in the 1997 Uniform Building Code (Table No. 3-A), adjusted annually by the CPIVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
North OgdenValuation-based: 1997 Uniform Building Code, Section 107.2, Table 1-A, plus 20%Verifiedvia Residential/Commercial Building PermitResidential/Commercial Building Permit
North Salt LakeValuation-based per most recent ICC Building Valuation Data ScheduleVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
OgdenValuation-based per Technical Code Base Fee Schedule (minimum $70.50 for work valued at $1,200 or less)VerifiedWater Heater Permit
Orem$40.00 base + applicable amount from Table 3D, 1997 UAC w/2023 revisionsVerifiedPlumbing Permit
Park City1.32% of the total valuation of construction, plus 1% state surchargeVerifiedPlumbing Permit
PaysonSee ICC valuation table with 0.75 regional multiplierVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single Family / Additions)Residential Building Permit (New Single Family / Additions)
Plain CityValuation-based per Table 1-A of the 1997 Uniform Building Code — not a fixed dollar figure. Example brackets: $1-$500 valuation = $23.50; $501-$2,000 = $23.50 + $3.05 per additional $100 (or fraction) up to $2,000; $2,001-$25,000 = $69.25 + $14.00 per additional $1,000 (or fraction) up to $25,000; $25,001-$50,000 = $391.75 + $10.10 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000; $50,001-$100,000 = $643.75 + $7.00 per additional $1,000 up to $100,000; $100,001-$500,000 = $993.75 + $5.60 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000; $500,001-$1,000,000 = $3,233.75 + $4.75 per additional $1,000 up to $1,000,000; over $1,000,000 = $5,608.75 + $3.65 per additional $1,000.Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Pleasant Grove$250.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single Family)Residential Building Permit (New Single Family)
Pleasant View$75.00VerifiedPlumbing Permit
PriceSee city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Home / Cabin) feeResidential Building Permit (New Home / Cabin)
Provo$75.00 minimum (including issuance of permit) + $20.00 first fixture + $6.00 each additional fixture + $6.00 each water heater.VerifiedPlumbing Permit
RichfieldSee city page for the current Residential Building Permit feeResidential Building Permit
Riverdale$1–$1,100: $48.36. Scales up through published valuation brackets (e.g., $23,001–$25,000: $469.50; $50,000: $773.10; $99,001–$100,000: $1,192.50). $100,000–$500,000: $1,192.50 for the first $100,000 plus $6.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,880.50 for the first $500,000 plus $5.70 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $1,000,001 and up: $6,730.50 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.40 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof.Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
RivertonAssessed on project valuation per the 1994 Modified UBC 1-A Fee Table (same table as the building permit); valuation estimated from scope of work per February 2020 ICC BVD TableVerifiedPlumbing Permit
Roosevelt$23.50Verifiedvia Residential/Duplex Building PermitResidential/Duplex Building Permit
RoyDerived from Table 1-A of the 1997 Uniform Building Code, applied to current ICC Building Valuation DataVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (One & Two Family Dwellings)Residential Building Permit (One & Two Family Dwellings)
Salt Lake City$16 eachVerifiedWater Heater Permit
Sandy$2,967Verifiedvia Single-Family New ConstructionSingle-Family New Construction
Santa ClaraBased on Valuation (current ICC rates)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
SantaquinCost based on the valuation of the structure, per the current Building Valuation Data sheet from the IRCVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Saratoga Springs$22.00 eachVerifiedPlumbing Permit
South Jordan$212VerifiedWater Heater Permit
South Ogden$0–$1,300: $47.00 flat. $1,301–$2,000: $47.00 for the first $1,300 plus $3.05 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof. $2,001–$25,000: $68.35 for the first $2,000 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $25,001–$50,000: $390.35 for the first $25,000 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $50,001–$100,000: $642.85 for the first $50,000 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $100,001–$500,000: $992.85 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,232.85 for the first $500,000 plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $1,000,001+: $5,607.85 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.65 for each additional $1,000,000 or fraction thereof.Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Alterations)Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Alterations)
South Salt LakeBuilding Fee (B) = local multiplier x Gross ICCBVD Valuation; Plan Check Fee (P) = B x 0.65; State Surcharge Fee (Y) = B x 0.01; Total = B + P + YVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)
South WeberGross Area x Square Foot Construction Cost x Permit Fee Multiplier, per the 2025 ICC Building Code Valuation DataVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)Residential Building Permit (New Construction)
Spanish ForkAs set by 2021 IRC/IBC valuation table (same general Building Permit fee — no separate flat water heater sub-permit rate is published)VerifiedWater Heater Permit
SpringvilleNo fixed dollar figure published for a standalone plumbing permit was found in Springville's Building Fees fee-schedule section.VerifiedPlumbing Permit
St. George$60.60 minimum ($60.00 permit + $0.60 D.O.C.)VerifiedWater Heater Permit
Syracuse$100.00 for Building Value $1-$1,000; $100.00 + $2.70 per addl. $100 (or fraction) for $1,001-$2,000; $127.00 + $16.80 per addl. $1,000 (or fraction) for $2,001-$25,000; $513.00 + $12.11 per addl. $1,000 (or fraction) for $25,001-$50,000; $816.00 + $8.40 per addl. $1,000 (or fraction) for $50,001-$100,000; $1,236.00 + $6.72 per addl. $1,000 (or fraction) for $100,001-$500,000; $3,924.00 + $5.70 per addl. $1,000 (or fraction) for $500,001-$1,000,000; $6,774.00 + $4.65 per addl. $1,000 (or fraction) for $1,000,000.00+Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Home / Addition / Remodel)Residential Building Permit (New Home / Addition / Remodel)
Taylorsville$60.00VerifiedWater Heater Permit
TooeleCalculated from project valuation using IBC-established rate tablesVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Tremonton1% of Building ValuationVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Beaver CountyDetermined by the current IBC/IRC valuation methodologyVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Box Elder CountyState ICC Fee Structure (valuation-based; no flat dollar table published)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Cache County$75VerifiedPlumbing Permit
Unincorporated Carbon CountySee city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Home / Cabin) feeResidential Building Permit (New Home / Cabin)
Unincorporated Daggett County$600 (nonrefundable at application; credited toward final plan-check/permit cost)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Davis County$202.00 minimumVerifiedPlumbing Permit
Unincorporated Duchesne CountyCalculated from the county-adopted cost-per-square-foot valuation table published in the August issue of the ICC Building Safety Journal, applied to the project's estimated construction cost valuationVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Emery CountyValuation-based, per square foot value assigned to each building component (basement, main floor, second floor, garage, carport, covered porch/patio/deck, on-site improvements, storage shed, remodel) using the ICBO 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC) valuation/fee scheduleVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Garfield County$60.00Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Grand County$65.00Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Iron CountyB.P. $112.25 + State FeeVerifiedPlumbing Permit (Water Heater, etc.)
Unincorporated Juab CountyValuation-based; computed by the Planning and Zoning Department from the applicant's Total Valuation at time of reviewVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Kane CountyBased on ICC Current Valuation Data (average ~$2,500 per current-cycle reference) plus a 25% plan check fee and a 1% state education feeVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Millard County$25.00 + 1% state surcharge ($0.25) = $25.25 totalVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Piute CountySee city page for the current Residential Building Permit feeResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Rich CountySet by the fee table in the International Residential Code (IRC) edition adopted at the time of application — Rich County does not publish a separate dollar-figure fee schedule; per Rich County Ordinance for Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy (adopted 2025), Section 2.D: 'The County adopts the building permit fees set out in the International Residential Code applicable at the time of application.'Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Salt Lake County$70.00VerifiedWater Heater Permit
Unincorporated San Juan County1.75 × square footage of the structure (example given by the county: 2,000 sq ft = $3,500)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Sanpete CountySee city page for the current Residential Building Permit feeResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Sevier CountySee city page for the current Residential Building Permit feeResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Summit County0.0075 (3/4 of 1%) of construction valuation; $100 minimum fee (covers the cost of one inspection)Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Tooele CountyValuation-based, per Uniform Building Code fee-calculation provisionsVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Uintah County$0.70 per sq ftVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Utah County$101.00VerifiedWater Heater Permit
Unincorporated Wasatch Countyapprox. $1.25 per sq ft (as of 6/13/2016 per the county's published FAQ figure; includes all square footage — finished, unfinished garage, porches, and decks)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (Single Family Dwelling, New Construction)Residential Building Permit (Single Family Dwelling, New Construction)
Unincorporated Washington CountyValuation-based per the Washington County building permit fee schedule (see residential building permit fees above)VerifiedPlumbing Permit
Unincorporated Wayne CountySee city page for the current Residential Building Permit feeResidential Building Permit
Unincorporated Weber County$100.00VerifiedWater Heater Permit
Vernal$50.00 + $10 per additional fixtureVerifiedPlumbing Permit (Maintenance / Repair)
Vineyard$1 to $1,300: $86 flat. $1,301–$2,000: $86 for the first $1,300 plus $3 per additional $100 or fraction thereof. $2,001–$40,000: $107 for the first $2,000 plus $11 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $40,001–$100,000: $525 for the first $40,000 plus $9 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $100,001–$500,000: $1,065 for the first $100,000 plus $7 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $500,001–$1,000,000: $3,865 for the first $500,000 plus $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $1,000,001–$5,000,000: $6,365 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. $5,000,001 and over: $20,354 for the first $5,000,000 plus $2 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof.Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)
Washington City$30.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (Single Family)Residential Building Permit (Single Family)
Washington TerraceSet by the 'Building Permit Fee Schedule' in the most current adopted code edition, applied to project valuation determined from the 'Building Valuation Data' table published in the current issue of ICC's 'Building Standards.'Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
West Bountiful$1,000Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
West HavenEstablished in WHCC § 151.15, as amendedVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Remodels)Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Remodels)
West Jordan$70VerifiedWater Heater Permit
West PointBased on building valuation and square footageVerifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
West Valley CityValuation-based per the codified fee table: $0–$500 value = $26; $501–$2,000 = $25 for the first $500 plus $4 per additional $100 (min $50); $2,001–$25,000 = $76 for the first $2,000 plus $16 per additional $1,000; $25,001–$50,000 = $430 for the first $25,000 plus $12.50 per additional $1,000; $50,001–$100,000 = $708 for the first $50,000 plus $9.50 per additional $1,000; $100,001–$500,000 = $1,094 for the first $100,000 plus $7.50 per additional $1,000; $500,001–$1,000,000 = $3,600 for the first $500,000 plus $6.50 per additional $1,000; over $1,000,000 = $6,000 for the first $1,000,000 plus $5.50 per additional $1,000. Plus a 1% state surcharge and 5% technology surcharge per building permit.Verifiedvia Residential Building PermitResidential Building Permit
Woods Cross$1.00–$500.00: $24.70 flat. $501.00–$2,000.00: $24.70 + $3.20 per additional $100 (or fraction). $2,001.00–$25,000.00: $72.70 + $14.70 per additional $1,000 (or fraction). $25,001.00–$50,000.00: $410.80 + $10.60 per additional $1,000. $50,001.00–$100,000.00: $675.80 + $7.40 per additional $1,000. $100,001.00–$500,000.00: $1,045.80 + $5.90 per additional $1,000. $500,001.00–$1,000,000.00: $3,405.80 + $5.00 per additional $1,000. $1,000,001.00 and up: $5,905.80 + $3.80 per additional $1,000.Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Dwelling)Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Dwelling)

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