Do you need a permit to replace a water heater in Philadelphia?
Yes. Philadelphia requires a permit to replace a water heater1.
On this page
Yes
Philadelphia's rule“You need a permit for plumbing work.”1
City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and Inspections, Service overview
Where Philadelphia names water heaters“Alterations for replacement of water heaters only.”2
City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and Inspections, p.1 Conditions
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing permit | Replacement of plumbing | Replacement.1 |
Limits and conditions in Philadelphia'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 | Alterations for replacement of water heaters only.2 |
What to submit
- Thermal expansion control2
Who can apply
- Licensed master plumber1
Water heater permit fees in Philadelphia
Fee lines as Philadelphia'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Water Heater (Residential 1 or 2 family) | Flat fee | Water Heater $313 |
| Water Heater (Other occupancies) | Flat fee | $37 per water heater3 |
All of Philadelphia's fee lines are on the Philadelphia permit page.
Special areas and extra reviews
- Large water heaters1
Who to ask
Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)4
Building permits
- Apply online
- eclipse.phila.gov4
- Phone
- 311; (215) 686-8686 outside Philadelphia5
- Address
- 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 191024
- Hours
- Permit and License Center (MSB, Public Service Concourse): 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; by appointment5
- Inspections
- ECLIPSE or IVR (215) 255-40405
Water heater permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Philadelphia 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
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Get a Plumbing PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- EZ Permit Standard: Plumbing (PB_030_F)City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsPublished 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- PG_012_INF Construction Permit Fees (Rev 7.2026), Effective October 1, 2026City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsRevised July 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Department of Licenses and Inspections | HomepageCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Get a Building PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026