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Do you need a permit to replace a furnace or air conditioner?

Permits for HVAC replacements are set locally: the city or county building department decides, under the code it has adopted. Below are the official rules and fees we verified, in each department's own words.

Last checked

On this page
  1. What cities charge for an HVAC replacement permit
  2. Before you start
  3. Sources

What cities charge for an HVAC replacement permit

Fee lines as each city’s schedule states them, never added up into a total; how permit fees work explains valuation formulas and minimums.

CityFeeAs the schedule states it
New York City, NYPermit to install, alter or replace oil-burning equipment, gas or electric heating or any other energy source equipment$130 (Per Type, Device, or Equipment)1
Jacksonville, FLMinimum mechanical permit feeMinimum fee for a mechanical permit · $60.002
Charlotte, NCAppliance/Equipment Change Out (water heaters, HVAC, kitchen appliances) via Trades Internet Permit (TIP)1.5 x the minimum permit fee (both trade permits combined) via TIP; 2 x the maximum permit fee by other means3
Columbus, OHMechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (1, 2, and 3 Family)Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (includes 2 inspections) $2754
Columbus, OHMinor Work Permit - Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing only (1, 2, and 3 Family)Minor Work Permit - Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing only. Must be on the Approved Minor Work Permit List (includes 1 inspection) $1404
Nashville, TNGas/mechanical permit minimum feeB. Permit fees for the installation of gas/mechanical systems, devices, equipment and fixtures, including but not limited to the installation of fixtures, repairs and alterations to existing gas/mechanical installations and systems, shall be as follows: 1. Fee schedule. Minimum fee (each permit) ... $75.005
Nashville, TNGas/mechanical: HVAC by capacity2. In addition, fees for heating, ventilating, ductwork (installation without heating/cooling equipment), air-conditioning and refrigeration systems or alterations or replacement and/or additions shall also be based upon total Btuh and/or kilowatts input of all appliances at the rate of thirty-two dollars ($32.00) per one hundred thousand Btuh or fraction thereof.5
El Paso, TXMechanical: Base fee, ea. (non-refundable)$110 plus applicable technology fee6
El Paso, TXMechanical: Combination heating-cooling unit or refrigeration unit, ea.$47 plus $6.35 per ton plus base fee and applicable technology fee6
Las Vegas, NVHVAC Exact change out15 HVAC Exact change out $83 $1007
Boston, MAGas boilers, heaters, furnaces, industrial ovens$20, plus $50 each, plus $0.09 per 1,000 BTU.8
Detroit, MIGas-fired equipment installation permit, homeowner: central heating unit/furnaceCentral heating units, conversion burner, floor furnace – Each Each $2039
Louisville, KYHVAC, 1 & 2 family dwellings1. 1 & 2 Family Dwellings: new and replacement systems $105 for the first system, $50 for each additional system.10
Memphis, TNMechanical fee, issuanceM-0 FEE ISSUANCE COST PER PERMIT $20.0011
Memphis, TNMechanical fee, first $1,000 of valuationM-3.1 FEE FOR FIRST $1,000 VALUATION $15.0011
Memphis, TNMechanical fee, each additional $1,000 under $1,000,000FOR EACH ADDITIONAL $1,000 < $1,000,000 $8.0011
Baltimore, MDFuel-burning equipment, 0 to 200,000 BTU/h per unit0 to 200,000 $3012
Baltimore, MDAir conditioning systems (other than cooling towers)All others $5 a ton (1 ton = 12,000 BTU per hour) Minimum $30 Maximum $300 per unit12
Milwaukee, WIHVAC: heating unit additional BTUa-1. Heating, incinerator units and wood-burning appliances: $55 per unit not exceeding 150,000 BTUs of input. For each additional 50,000 BTUs or fraction thereof, an additional fee of $25 shall be charged.13
Milwaukee, WIHVAC: air conditioning unita-3. Air conditioning and refrigeration units: $60 per unit not exceeding 3 tons. For each additional ton or fraction thereof, an additional fee of $10 shall be charged.13
Tucson, AZTrade Permits (single item, incl. water heater, HVAC, panel, sewer line)$150.0014
Fresno, CAPermit Issuance - All projects (administrative base fee, MPE stand-alone)Permit Issuance - All projects 27.0815
Fresno, CASimple M,P,E single or combination permitsSIMPLE M,P,E SINGLE OR COMBINATION PERMITS 111.5015
Sacramento, CAHVAC Cut-in or change-out (flat building permit fee)HVAC Cut-in or change-out $175 N/A16
Raleigh, NCMinimum Trade Permit FeeAny fee not specifically listed as an individual fee will be charged at the minimum permit fee. This also applies to a minimum building plan review fee. Which are assessed as per trade per review. $123.00 $124.00 Per Trade17
Colorado Springs, COTable C trade permit fee not associated with a building permit (row 1)$100 to $500 $50.0018
Colorado Springs, COTable C trade permit fee not associated with a building permit (row 2)$501 to $2,000 $50.00 for the first $500 plus $5.50 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, up to and including $2,00018
Colorado Springs, COTable C trade permit fee not associated with a building permit (row 3)$2,001 to $5,000 $132.50 for the first $2,000 plus $1.45 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, up to and including $5,00018
Virginia Beach, VAMechanical permit$50 plus $5 per $1,000 of the construction value19
Long Beach, CAMechanical Permit Issuance FeeMechanical Permit Issuance Fee $104 / permit20
Oakland, CARapid Permit Filing Feed. Rapid Permit Filing Fee · 67.16 Per Permit21
Oakland, CAResidential - Mechanical - R3 - Inspection7. Residential - Mechanical - R3 - Inspection · 4.3621
Minneapolis, MNExisting residential mechanical permit - Level 1 Misc HVAC Work with No BurnerLevel 1 - Misc HVAC Work with No Burner $84.2022
Minneapolis, MNExisting residential mechanical permit - Level 2 Includes Level 1 & Replace Boiler/Furnace SystemLevel 2 - Includes Level 1 & Replace Boiler/Furnace System $132.4022
Minneapolis, MNExisting residential mechanical permit - Level 3 Includes Level 1 & 2 and Entire System replacementLevel 3 - Includes Level 1 & 2 and Entire System replacement $216.6022
Tampa, FLHVAC Equal Change-outsHVAC Equal Change-outs 120.00$ 162.00$23
Arlington, TXElectrical base permit fee (not associated with building permit)Base permit fee $100.0024
Arlington, TXMechanical: HVAC complete split/package/DX system up to and including 10 tons, first systemHVAC complete refrigeration split/package/DX system up to and including 10 tons per first system $40.0024
Aurora, COFlat rate: boiler; furnace and A/C; residential mobile home setup$300 EACH • Boiler Replacement • Furnace and Air Conditioner Replacement • Residential Mobile Home Setup25
Aurora, COFlat rate: A/C, evaporative cooler, furnace replacement; life safety (no plan review); temporary trailer$201 EACH • Air Conditioner Replacement • Evaporative Cooler Replacement • Furnace Replacement • Life Safety Permits no Plan Review • Temporary Sales or Construction Trailer Setup25
Aurora, COFlat rate: furnace and water heater replacement$292 • Furnace and Water Heater Replacement25
Austin, TXResidential Change - Out Program Permits - HVAC (first system)$74.0526
Austin, TXResidential Change - Out Program Permits - HVAC - Each additional system$20.6926

Before you start

Find your city’s HVAC replacement rule with the permit checker. What to check before you buy materials (city limits, limits in the rule, zoning and HOA rules) and the order of the steps are in how to get a building permit; what an exemption does not cover is in work exempt from a permit.

Sources

  1. 2022 NYC Construction Codes, General Administrative Provisions (Admin. Code Title 28), Chapter 1 AdministrationCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  2. City Fees (Categorized by Departments)City of Jacksonville, City Fees page (Building Inspection Division - Section 320.409)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Mecklenburg County Government Fee Ordinance, Land Use and Environmental Services (revised July 1, 2026)Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners / Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA)Revised July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  4. 2026 Combined Development Related Fee ScheduleCity of Columbus, Department of Building and Zoning ServicesPublished 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Codes Fee Schedule (Building-Permit-Fee-Scheudle-2025.pdf)Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyPosted December 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  6. City of El Paso FY2026-2027 Adopted Budget, FY 2027 Schedule C Departmental Fee ListCity of El Paso, Office of Management & BudgetAdopted August 18, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. City of Las Vegas 2020 Building User Fees (Building & Fee Table)City of Las Vegas, Department of Community Development, Building & Safety DivisionEffective July 1, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Gas PermitCity of Boston, Inspectional Services DepartmentLast updated September 11, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  9. City of Detroit BSEED Fee Schedule, Effective January 1, 2024, Modified 7/18/2025City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)Revised July 18, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  10. LMCO Chapter 150.096 Promulgated Fees & Regulations, Construction Permits and Inspection Fees (Revised 2/6/2024)Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, Department of Codes and Regulations, Office (Division) of Construction ReviewRevised February 6, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  11. 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section FeesMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementPublished 2022Checked November 8, 2026
  12. Section 109. Fees (Building Code)City of Baltimore Law Library (Department of Legislative Reference)Checked November 7, 2026
  13. A substitute ordinance relating to increasing various fees for permits, licenses, certificates, inspections and…City of Milwaukee, Common CouncilEffective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  14. Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Adopted Year 1 Fee Schedule, FY27)City of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  15. City of Fresno Master Fee Schedule - Planning & Development Fees (effective 07/01/2026)City of Fresno, Planning and Development DepartmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  16. Building Division Fee Detail: Table A (valuation) and Table B.1 (flat fee building permits)City of Sacramento (Fees and Charges database, Community Development Department)Revised July 19, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  17. Development Fee Guide July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027City of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  18. Fee Schedule - Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (Appendix B: Fee Schedule, 2023 PPRBC)Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD)Effective June 30, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  19. Trades Permits | City of Virginia BeachCity of Virginia Beach, Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  20. Mechanical Permit & Plan Review FeesCity of Long Beach, Community Development Department, Building and Safety BureauEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  21. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee ScheduleCity of Oakland (Master Fee Schedule, Planning & Building Department section)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  22. Minneapolis Mech. Existing Res. Permit Fee Sched.City of Minneapolis, Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED), Construction Code Services / Minneapolis Development ReviewChecked November 7, 2026
  23. Trade Permit Fee ScheduleCity of Tampa, Development & Growth Management Department, Construction Services DivisionLast updated February 16, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  24. City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective October 1, 2026 (Resolution No. 26-288)City of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  25. 2026 Flat Rate Fee Permits (Flat-Rate Fee, Revised 08/2026, Form #A175)City of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionRevised August 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  26. City of Austin Fee Schedule | Residential Building Plan Review & Inspection Permit FeesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026