Do you need a permit to replace a water heater in San Jose?
Yes. San Jose requires a permit to replace a water heater1.
On this page
Yes
San Jose's rule“Installing or replacing a water heater requires a plumbing permit.”1
City of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE), Water Heaters (intro)
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing permit | Any installation or replacement | Installing or replacing a water heater requires a plumbing permit.1 |
| Electrical permit | Depending on water heater type | Depending on the type of water heater, an electrical permit may also be required.1 |
Limits and conditions in San Jose's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like replacement exempt? | No | Installing or replacing a water heater requires a plumbing permit.1 |
Who can apply
- Single-family/duplex: online permit at SJPermits.org1
Inspections
California law that applies
- State rules on which work needs a permit in California
- Homeowners doing their own work in California
- Contractor licensing in California
Who to ask
City of San José Planning, Building & Code Enforcement, Building Division2
Building permits
- Website
- sanjoseca.gov2
- Apply online
- sjpermits.org2
- Phone
- (408) 535-35552
- [email protected]2
- Address
- Development Services Permit Center, San José City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 1st Floor, San José, CA 951133
- Hours
- Counter: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-5 p.m.; Wed 9 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-5 p.m.; phone M-F 7am-4pm3
- Inspections
- SJPermits.org or 408-535-35552
Water heater permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare San Jose 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
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Water HeatersCity of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE)Last updated April 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Building DivisionCity of San José, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement (PBCE), Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Development Services Permit CenterCity of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE)Checked November 7, 2026