Permits by Project
Do You Need a Permit for Water heater replacement?
Of the 10 areas we checked, a permit is required in 6 and it depends on the scope in 4.
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Permit required- When it applies
- 'New and replacement gas appliances' and 'New plumbing fixtures' require permits
- Permits
- Plumbing, Gas
- Faster route
- Instant Plumbing Permit / Instant Gas Fitting Permit
Source: DOB How to Get a Permit; DOB Instant Permits, checked 2026-10-07
Maryland
Anne Arundel County, MD
Depends- When it applies
- not explicitly published; plumbing trade permit likely; electrical permit application lists 'Water Heater' as a device type
- Permits
- Plumbing, Electrical
- Who pulls it
- A licensed contractor
- Notes
- Trade permit applicants must hold county licenses. Contact permitcenterhelp@aacounty.org for scope determination.
Source: AA County Permit Fees; Bill 25-24 (105.3.2/105.3.3), checked 2026-10-07
Charles County, MD
Depends- When it applies
- Gas-fired: yes (plumbing/gas trade permit). Electric like-for-like: threshold not published.
- Permits
- Plumbing, Gas
- Notes
- Plumbing and Gas trade permits/inspections exist per PGM fee schedule; exact water-heater threshold not published.
Source: PGM FY2027 Fees & Charges, checked 2026-10-07
Montgomery County, MD
Depends- When it applies
- GAS: yes — WSSC permit + master gasfitter. ELECTRIC: no — exempt work (STALE source); permit optional.
- Permits
- Plumbing, Gas
- Who pulls it
- A licensed contractor
- Notes
- Same WSSC jurisdiction as PG County.
Source: WSSC Water Plumbing & Fuel Gas Inspections, checked 2026-10-07
Prince George's County, MD
Depends- When it applies
- GAS: yes — WSSC plumbing/gas permit, master gasfitter licensee. ELECTRIC: no — exempt work per WSSC GCC_1 (STALE, Apr 2021); permit optional.
- Permits
- Plumbing, Gas
- Who pulls it
- A licensed contractor
- Notes
- WSSC: 'gas water heater replacements' must be done by a WSSC-licensed plumber/gasfitter; gas appliance replacement requires a WSSC permit. DPIE guide lists 'Installation or replacement of water heaters' as may-require-permit.
Source: WSSC Water Plumbing & Fuel Gas Inspections; WSSC GCC_1 [STALE], checked 2026-10-07
Northern Virginia
Arlington County, VA
Permit required- When it applies
- plumbing permit; gas-fired units also need Plumbing/Gas Permit
- Permits
- Plumbing, Gas
- Notes
- County mechanical page: gas-fueled equipment replacement requires a Plumbing/Gas Permit.
Source: Arlington Mechanical Permit page, checked 2026-10-07
City of Alexandria, VA
Permit required- When it applies
- water supply system work per USBC 108.1
- Permits
- Plumbing, Gas
Source: USBC 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.1, checked 2026-10-07
Fairfax County, VA
Permit required- When it applies
- LDS: 'Replacing or repairing plumbing equipment/fixtures' requires a residential plumbing permit
- Permits
- Plumbing
Source: LDS Permit Library: Residential Building, checked 2026-10-07
Loudoun County, VA
Permit required- When it applies
- plumbing/gas trade permit (county issues electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing trade permits)
- Permits
- Plumbing, Gas
- Faster route
- LandMARC online
Source: Loudoun Residential Additions and Alterations, checked 2026-10-07
Prince William County, VA
Permit required- When it applies
- 'Replacing gas or oil furnaces, gas logs, or appliances (water heater, range, etc.)' — permit always required
- Permits
- Plumbing, Gas
- Faster route
- ePortal online
Source: PWC Do I Need a Permit?, checked 2026-10-07
Summarized from each area’s official permit pages and codes, as of October 2026. Some Maryland municipalities issue their own permits, rules change, and many answers depend on the exact scope, so confirm with the permit office before work starts. This is general information, not legal advice.
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