Do you need a permit to replace a water heater in Denver?
Yes. Denver requires a permit to replace a water heater1.
On this page
Yes
Denver's rule“Quick permits are issued for small projects that replace existing systems, including but not limited to roof coverings, hot water heaters, light fixtures and similar project types.”1
City and County of Denver, Community Planning and Development, Quick Permits
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing permit | Water heaters listed among plumbing quick permit work for single-family/duplex | Single-family and duplex structures and garages: Back flow preventers Dishwasher Drinking fountain Floor drain Garbage disposals Gas piping outlets Showers, tubs, and sinks Swimming pool piping Washer Water closets and urinals Water heaters…2 |
| Mechanical permit | Water heaters listed among mechanical quick permit work for single-family/duplex | Through-wall heaters Unit heaters Ventilating systems Water heaters…2 |
Limits and conditions in Denver'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 | 1. General repairs in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouse units that do not alter existing systems, including replacement of like units such as bathroom/kitchen sinks, garbage disposals and water closets.3 |
What to submit
- No plan review for quick permits1
Who can apply
Water heater permit fees in Denver
Fee lines as Denver'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Quick permit: building permit fee per Table No. 1 (no plan review fee) | Based on project valuation | Building permit fee per valuation table; no plan review fee1 |
All of Denver's fee lines are on the Denver permit page.
Special areas and extra reviews
- Commercial/multifamily gas-fired water heaters excluded from quick permits2
Who to ask
Community Planning and Development (CPD), Building Permitting and Inspections Services Agency3
Building permits
- Website
- denvergov.org5
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com6
- Phone
- (720) 865-27007
- [email protected]7
- Address
- 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205, Denver, CO 80202 (Webb Municipal Building, 2nd floor)7
- Hours
- Phone line Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.7
- Inspections
- Online via e-permits (aca-prod.accela.com/DENVER); inspections completed within 2 business days8
Water heater permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Denver 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
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Building Permit Policy ADMIN 125 and 138: Building and Related FeesCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentRevised May 21, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Quick Permits - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- 2025 Denver Building Code (2nd Printing, November 2025)City and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentPublished November 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Applying for Permits as a Homeowner - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Community Planning and Development - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- City and County of Denver | ePermit online (Denver's Permitting and Licensing Center)City and County of DenverChecked November 7, 2026
- Contact us - Community Planning and DevelopmentCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Building Inspections - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026