Water heater permits in Utah County, city by city

Where the rule comes from

Utah Code 15A-2-103 adopts the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) for houses, along with the 2024 International Plumbing Code and the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code. That version took effect July 1, 2026. Section R105.1 of the IRC requires a permit to "erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system." A water heater connects to the gas and plumbing systems, so swapping one falls under that section.

Utah also amends some IRC water heater rules statewide in Utah Code 15A-3-205. Inspectors check against those amendments too:

• Water heaters must be anchored or strapped to resist movement in an earthquake.
• A water heater pan may receive discharge only from the water heater.
• The relief valve discharge pipe must follow the manufacturer's instructions and not exceed 180 degrees in directional changes.

City building departments

Each city listed below runs its own building department. Utah County's building division serves only unincorporated areas. If your home sits outside city limits, apply with the county.

Provo

Provo's Development Services Building Division has a guideline for water heater, furnace, and air conditioner replacements: apply for a building permit and submit documents. For tankless water heaters only, Provo also asks for a gas line diagram. Provo's FAQ says standard trade permits generally carry a $75 base fee, plus a $12 permit processing fee on every application, and that modifiers may apply.

Orem

Orem's 2026 "When Do I Need a Building Permit?" sheet lists water heater installations or replacements, and gas lines. Orem takes applications through an online portal.

Lehi

Lehi's Building and Inspection Department issues all building permits for the city through its submittal portal. Lehi's Building and Inspections page does not name water heaters, so the IRC R105.1 rule applies. Call the city to confirm what to submit, and ask whether it wants a gas line diagram like Provo does.

American Fork

American Fork's FAQ on when a permit is required quotes the adopted code: a permit is needed to install, alter, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system.

Spanish Fork

Spanish Fork lists water heaters and HVAC equipment among the work that commonly needs a permit. Applications go through CitizenServe.

Pleasant Grove

Pleasant Grove requires a permit for any modification or alteration of a plumbing, heating, or electrical system. The submittal needs a contractor license number or an owner-builder certification form.

Highland

Highland's code-violations page says a permit must be obtained for water heaters, along with furnaces, air conditioners, and gas, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

Alpine

Alpine says all structures, regardless of size, require a building permit. It has a separate permit application for furnaces, air conditioning, water heaters, and meter upgrades.

Springville

Springville's sheet on work exempt from permits reprints IRC R105.1 and lists no exemption for water heaters.

Mapleton

Mapleton takes building permits through an online submittal portal. Mapleton's building page does not name water heaters, so the IRC R105.1 rule applies. Call to confirm.

If the old heater fails without warning

A dead water heater in January can't wait for a permit review. The IRC has a provision for that. Springville's exemption sheet reprints section R105.2.1: in an emergency replacement, the permit application has to be submitted within the next working business day. Ask your city how it handles this before you need it.

Owner-builders

Utah lets property owners do work on their own property without a contractor license, under conditions in state law. Provo's FAQ says an Owner-Builder Certification has to be completed when you apply. Gas appliances add a state training and certification requirement, covered in the license guide. The permit and inspection apply either way.

Before you apply

• Find your city on the list above and open its building page.
• Ask whether the city wants a gas line diagram or sizing calculation for a tankless unit. Provo does.
• Confirm who pulls the permit. On a contractor job, ask the contractor to apply and to show you the permit before work starts.
• Plan for the inspection. The inspector needs access to the unit, the gas line, the vent, and the relief valve discharge.
• Keep the final inspection record with the unit's invoice. A buyer's home inspector may ask for it when you sell, and Enbridge's rebate form may ask for installation documents.

Questions for the city

• What do you need on the application for a tankless water heater?
• How do I schedule the inspection, and how much notice do you need?
• Who has to be home for the inspection?
• What happens if the inspector asks for a change?
• How do I get a copy of the final inspection record?

Write down who you spoke with and the date, and keep that note with the permit.