Do you need a permit to replace a water heater in Indianapolis?
It depends on the project. Indianapolis exempts some water heaters from a building permit and requires one for the rest1.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Indianapolis's rule“Replacement of a water heater with one that is identical as to venting arrangement and type of fuel or energy input…”1
City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, Plumbing / Heating and cooling: exceptions
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing permit | Plumbing permit unless exempt | Any construction activity related to a plumbing system requires a permit, with the following exceptions…1 |
| Mechanical permit | Heating/cooling permit unless exempt | Any construction activity related to a heating, venting, air conditioning, or refrigeration system requires a permit, with the following exceptions…1 |
| Electrical permit | Circuit up to 60 A exempt only with a building permit issued | Installation of a single-phase electric circuit not exceeding sixty (60) amperes at a nominal 120/240 volts which involves the installation, modernization, replacement, service or repair of a heating system, space heating equipment, cooling system, space cooling equipment, a water heater or a food waste disposer for which a building permit has been issued…2 |
Limits and conditions in Indianapolis'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? | Yes | Replacement of a water heater with one (1) that is identical as to venting arrangement and type of fuel or energy input…2 |
Who can apply
- Electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits must be pulled by a licensed contractor in each craft3
Review time
10-15 business days (typical first review)4. This is the department's published figure, not a guarantee.
Who to ask
City of Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS)5
Building permits
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com6
- Phone
- (317) 327-87007
- [email protected]7
- Address
- 200 E. Washington St., Suite 107, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (City-County Building)5
- Hours
- 9 AM-4 PM Monday-Friday5
- Inspections
- By automated phone line 317-327-5525 using the permit number3
Water heater permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Indianapolis 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
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Residential Development PermitsCity of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesChecked November 6, 2026
- 2016 Building Standards and Procedures of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis (Chapter 536 etc.)City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesEffective January 1, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
- Homeowner's Building Permit GuideCity of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesLast updated March 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- Permit Issuance Process (flowchart)City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesCity of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Accela Citizens Access Portal (ACA)City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- License and Permit FeesCity of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesChecked November 7, 2026