Do I Need Title 24 for a Water Heater Permit?
Usually yes, but this is the lightest paperwork of the common replacements. A water heater swap is an alteration with no field verification, so the building department may require no Title 24 certificate, or a simplified one. The choice of unit is what matters: gas can replace gas, electric can replace electric, and a heat pump has extra conditions.
- Choose your report
- Upload your plans
- Pay securely
- Permit-ready report by email
What the department may waive
Section 10-103(a)1C names water heater replacements: where no field verification is required, the enforcement agency may require no certificate of compliance or a simplified one, and the allowance never authorizes work that breaks the code. The unit itself still has to be a type Section 150.2(b)1H permits, listed on water heater requirements.
Like for like, mostly
The compliance manual works two cases. A new gas storage heater replacing the existing system is an alteration that meets Section 150.2(b)1H. A house with an electric-resistance heater is not forced to switch: a consumer electric heater that meets the Appliance Efficiency Regulations can replace it. New piping, and existing piping that is accessible, must be insulated to Section 150.0(j)1.
Where the permit gets less simple
- Going to a heat pump. Section 110.3(c)7 adds backup heat where inlet air is unconditioned (unless the compressor cut-off is low enough) and a ventilation method for the unit (heat pump water heater installation). The manual says the electric-ready rules do not apply to a heat pump of any voltage, split or integrated.
- Adding a recirculation loop. In an alteration only a demand system with manual on/off control is allowed; a timer or temperature-controlled loop has to be shown to comply on the performance path.
- Waiting too long for hot water. The manual's alternative is a gas or propane tankless heater placed nearer the fixtures.
- Tankless above 6.8 kBtu/h. It needs isolation valves and flushing fittings on both lines.
The electric-ready wiring rules belong to new homes: Section 150.2(b)1 leaves Section 150.0(n) out of its alteration list, and the manual agrees. Whether a permit is needed at all is the department's decision, set out on HVAC and water heater permits. For furnaces and condensers see HVAC replacement permits. Our residential reports cover alterations.
Common Title 24 Questions
- What is Title 24?
- Do I need a Title 24 report?
- How much does a Title 24 report cost?
- How long does a Title 24 report take?
- What is included in a Title 24 report?
- What plans do I need to upload?
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The 2025 code does not force a switch at replacement. The new unit must be a type listed in Section 150.2(b)1H, and accessible hot water piping must be insulated.
No. The compliance manual says they are for newly constructed buildings and do not apply to alterations, and they do not apply when a heat pump is installed.
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View all Water Heaters guides → · HVAC and Water Heating · Title 24 guide