Do you need a permit to replace a water heater in Fort Worth?
Yes. Fort Worth requires a permit to replace a water heater1.
On this page
Yes
Fort Worth's rule“Changing, installing, moving or repairing plumbing, including water heaters and shower pans requires a plumbing permit.”1
City of Fort Worth, Development Services Department, Plumbing and Sprinkler/Irrigation Systems
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing permit | Replacement of water heaters | Exception: Replacement of water heaters, shower pans and bathtubs shall require a permit.2 |
Limits and conditions in Fort Worth'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 | Exception: Replacement of water heaters, shower pans and bathtubs shall require a permit.2 |
Who can apply
- Registered building contractor or homestead owner-occupant1
- State-licensed trades; homeowner exception2
Water heater permit fees in Fort Worth
Fee lines as Fort Worth'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Table 1-I Schedule of Plumbing Fees: First Fixture or Appliance | Per fixture or item | First Fixture or Appliance: 10.343 |
| 1. Permit Application Fee, Applicable to All Permit Types, Excluding Signs | Flat fee | 1. Permit Application Fee, Applicable to All Permit Types, Excluding Signs: 33.083 |
| 3. Technology Fee applicable to all applications/ permits | Technology surcharge | 3. Technology Fee applicable to all applications/ permits: 16.873 |
| 2. Reinspection fee | Re-inspection | 2. Reinspection fee: 66.153 |
All of Fort Worth's fee lines are on the Fort Worth permit page.
Review time
7 business days4. This is the department's published figure, not a guarantee.
Texas law that applies
Who to ask
Development Services Department5
Building permits
- Website
- fortworthtexas.gov5
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com6
- Phone
- (817) 392-22227
- Address
- New City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth 761027
- Inspections
- Online (Accela) or IVR 817-392-63708
Water heater permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Fort Worth 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
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Residential PermittingCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Fort Worth Administrative Building Code, Ordinance No. 25387-03-2022City of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentAdopted March 8, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- Ordinance No. 26-28781City of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Review TimeframesCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Development ServicesCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Building & Energy CodesCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- PermitsCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- InspectionsCity of Fort Worth, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026