Do you need a permit to replace a water heater in San Francisco?
Yes. San Francisco requires a permit to replace a water heater1.
On this page
Yes
San Francisco's rule“You need a permit before cutting into or replacing pipes, particularly pipes that will be covered by a wall or buried in the ground. See exemptions in San Francisco Plumbing Code Section 104.2.”1
City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building Inspection, What to know > Requirements
Where San Francisco names water heaters“2. Water heaters when alteration or replacement permits are issued.”2
City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building Inspection, Boiler Maintenance Program > Renewal Required
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing permit | Water heater alteration or replacement | 2. Water heaters when alteration or replacement permits are issued.2 |
What to submit
- Information requested in the online application1
- Title 24 certificate of installation not required for water heater replacement3
Who can apply
Water heater permit fees in San Francisco
Fee lines as San Francisco's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing/mechanical permit fees | – | depends on scope; see Table 1A-C1 |
| Hourly issuance/inspection rate (installations not covered by fee categories) | Per inspection | $519 per hour regular2 |
All of San Francisco's fee lines are on the San Francisco permit page.
Inspections
- Plumbing inspection before covering pipes1 PermitSF permits: request inspections online from the PermitSF dashboard4
Special areas and extra reviews
- Homeowner must meet an inspector within a week1
Who to ask
San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)5
Building permits
- Apply online
- sanfranciscoca.portal.opengov.com5
- Phone
- (628) 652-32005
- [email protected]5
- Address
- 49 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 941035
- Hours
- Mon 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Tue-Fri 8:00 am-5:00 pm; closed public holidays; Plan Review and Print Center queues close 4:30 pm5
- Inspections
- Voice Inspection Scheduling System 628-652-3401 (24/7) for non-PermitSF permits; PermitSF permits: request online from the PermitSF dashboard4
Water heater permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare San Francisco with 18 other cities on the national water heater permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Apply for a plumbing and mechanical permitCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
- Fee Schedule Table 1A-C: Plumbing/Mechanical Issuance and Inspection Fees (July 2026)City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionEffective July 12, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Information Sheet M-06: Title 24 CEC Certificate of Installation, Verification, and Acceptance Compliance RequirementsCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionPublished August 6, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Schedule and pay for your inspectionCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
- Department of Building Inspection | SF.govCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026