Do You Need a Permit to Replace a Water Heater in Houston?
Permit required
Houston requires a plumbing permit for the replacement and installation of water heaters, and the permit must be obtained by a master plumber registered with the City of Houston.
| Permit type | plumbing (HPWCODE1101) |
|---|---|
| Inspection | Required |
| Published fees | from $131.12 |
| Who pulls it | Master plumber registered with the City of Houston only. |
| Verified | 2026-08-24 |
What to know
- Homeowners cannot pull this permit themselves — a City-registered master plumber must obtain it (permit code HPWCODE1101).
- Plan review is waived for single-family residences, which keeps the process fast when a licensed plumber handles it.
- Your plumber's quote should state that the Houston permit and inspection are included — reputable ones fold it in.
Fees
base $34.24 first 3 units; min $97.56 + $33.56 admin
Official source
Houston Permitting Center — this is the authority for Houston; their published rules govern, not this page.
Verified 2026-08-24 against the official source linked above. Permit rules change without notice — confirm with the authority before starting work. Spotted a change? Tell us and we'll re-verify.