Do you need a permit to replace a water heater in San Antonio?
Yes. San Antonio requires a permit to replace a water heater1.
On this page
Yes
San Antonio's rule“If you're installing faucets, sinks, toilets, water heater and softeners, or sewer lines, you'll need to get a permit.”1
City of San Antonio, Development Services Department, Item 6 "What about the plumbing...?"
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing permit | Plumbing permit for water heater (gas/electric) | Water Heater-Gas/Electric 9.20…2 |
| Gas permit | Gas water heater installation not covered by annual maintenance permits | Installation of gas fueled water heaters.3 |
What to submit
- Plumbing application plus homeowner affidavit (homeowners)4
Who can apply
- Responsible Master Plumber registered with a company3
- Homeowner on own homestead, without assistance3
- Homeowner plumbing permit only for existing homestead5
- Homeowner affidavit4
Water heater permit fees in San Antonio
Fee lines as San Antonio'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing - Permit Base Fee | Flat fee | Plumbing - Permit Base Fee $57.506 |
| Water Heater, Vent (gas/electric) | Per fixture or item | Water Heater, Vent (gas/electric) $9.206 |
San Antonio’s schedule adds, unless a line says otherwise, a 4% Technological Improvement surcharge and a 4% Development Services surcharge to every fee, and a $11.50 Convenience Fee for applications not submitted online.
All of San Antonio's fee lines are on the San Antonio permit page.
Inspections
Who to ask
Development Services Department (DSD)5
Building permits
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com7
- Phone
- (210) 207-11118
- Address
- Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center (One Stop), 1901 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 782048
- Hours
- Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.8
- Inspections
- Online through BuildSA anytime, or by phone 210-207-1111 during business hours8
Water heater permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare San Antonio 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 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
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Home Remodeling FAQCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentPublished August 1, 2019Checked November 6, 2026
- Plumbing, Gas & Sewer Permit ApplicationCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised September 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Chapter 10 Building-Related Codes (2024 International Building-Related Codes), City Code of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentEffective May 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing Affidavit for Homeowner’s PermitCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Permits - City of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- FY 2027 Development Fee ScheduleCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Information Bulletin 110: Accessing Information, Plan Review Comments, Inspections OnlineCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised April 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Contact & Connect - City of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026