Whether you need a permit to replace a furnace, central AC or heat pump depends on your city's rules. We read the permit pages and codes for Phoenix, Seattle, Tacoma, Austin and Jacksonville. Most City of Columbus permit pages would not load for us. The two that did stated no HVAC rule, so this guide does not state a Columbus rule. Some cities list the work they exempt from permits. For those cities, we report what is on the list and what is not.
HVAC permit rules by city
| City | What the city says about replacing equipment | Who can get the permit |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Exempts in-kind replacement of outdoor refrigeration units up to 5 tons at one- or two-family homes if the new unit is identical in weight. Indoor systems need a permit (document revised July 2014) | Not covered in the document we read |
| Seattle | A permit for any furnace replacement, and a refrigeration permit for any split-system heat pump or AC | Refrigeration permits: licensed refrigeration contractors only. Furnace permits: homeowners can apply |
| Tacoma | Not on the mechanical exemption list in Tacoma's building-code amendment (TMC 2.02.090). We did not check the residential code's list | Not covered in the pages we read |
| Austin | Replacing a furnace, central AC or heat pump is not on the residential mechanical exemption list, which ends with "other work as determined by the building official." The city offers a "Mechanical Change Out" permit | Licensed trade contractors, or qualified homeowners under the Homestead Permit rules |
| Jacksonville | Quotes the Florida Building Code: replacing a regulated mechanical system requires a permit first | HVAC work only by contractors and craftsmen certified in those trades |
| Columbus | Rule not confirmed. Most city permit pages would not load, and two that did stated no HVAC rule | Ohio says local building departments regulate residential contractors |
Phoenix rules for AC and heat pump replacement
The City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department publishes a Work Exempt from Permit document. It is marked "Rev. 07/14," which means it was last revised in July 2014. Code editions may have changed since then. Confirm the current rule with the department before you rely on it.
The document exempts repair or replacement in kind of refrigeration units of up to 5 tons (17.5 kW) of refrigeration capacity at one- or two-family homes. The units must be located outdoors. The next sentence says, "Replacement equipment shall be identical in weight of that which is replaced." Its commentary says in-kind replacement assumes the existing infrastructure will not need changes. Its examples are roof framing, ductwork and electrical connections.
For equipment inside the home, the document says, "Repair or replacement of refrigeration systems located inside a building shall require a permit." The commentary adds, "This section requires permits for all indoor installations for residential systems regardless of size." A split system has an outdoor unit and indoor parts. We did not find any wording in the document on whether a split system fits the outdoor exemption. Ask the city before you assume a split-system changeout is exempt.
The document also says, "Replacement or alteration of a refrigeration system to utilize a different class of refrigeration shall require a permit and compliance with all requirements of the code applicable to the new refrigerant." It does not name specific refrigerants. Our guide to the R-410A phase-out covers the federal refrigerant rules.
The document also exempts repair or replacement in kind of evaporative cooling equipment rated at no more than 6,500 cfm (3067 L/s) of capacity. The document also covers emergencies. Sometimes a replacement that needs a permit must be done right away. In that case, the document says "the permit application shall be submitted within 72 hours to the Development Services Department."
Seattle rules for furnaces and heat pumps
Seattle's Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) has a permit FAQ for furnaces and refrigeration. The FAQ is undated. It says, "You need a permit for any furnace replacement or alteration." It also says, "You need a refrigeration permit for any split system heat pump, air conditioner, or any job that requires refrigeration piping."
SDCI says, "To get a refrigeration permit you must be a licensed refrigeration contractor. Homeowners need to hire a contractor to get the permit." The same FAQ says homeowners can get "a furnace or mechanical STFI permit" themselves. SDCI's furnace inspections page adds, "If your installation included an outdoor unit, a separate refrigeration permit is required."
SDCI says that at the property line, "heat pumps must be no more than 45 decibels and air conditioners must be no more than 55 decibels during the day (7:00 am - 10:00 pm) and 45 decibels at night (10:00 pm - 7:00 am)." Seattle also licenses refrigeration contractors separately. Our guide to checking an HVAC contractor's license covers that license.
Tacoma rules for mechanical work
Tacoma's city code changes the permit exemptions in the International Building Code. The section is TMC 2.02.090. It lists the mechanical work that needs no permit under that code. Portable heating, ventilation and cooling units are on the list, and so are portable evaporative coolers. Piping within regulated equipment is on the list. So is "Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe." Small self-contained refrigeration systems with "10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant" are on the list too.
Replacing a furnace, central AC or heat pump is not on that list. Tacoma's code says changes to existing single family, duplex and townhouse buildings follow the Washington State Residential Code or TMC 2.02.870. We did not check that residential code's mechanical exemptions. None of the Tacoma pages we read says in words that replacing that equipment needs a permit. Ask Tacoma Planning and Development Services before work starts.
Tacoma's mechanical permit page says that in many cases, small scale mechanical work can be reviewed in a scheduled meeting with a plans examiner. In those cases, it says, the permit can be issued the same day. Its equipment location tip sheet lists noise limits for heat pumps at a receiving property. It says they "must maintain no more than 10 dBA above ambient between 7am and 10pm and no more than 5 dBA between 10pm and 7am." The tip sheet says the installer and/or owner is responsible for meeting the noise code.
Austin rules for HVAC change-outs
The City of Austin's Types of Permits page lists a residential "Mechanical Change Out" permit. It says, "This stand-alone permit is for mechanical change out work that does not require a formal review by plan review staff. You must be registered as a contractor before you apply."
Austin's list of exempt work for homes covers portable appliances and replacing minor parts. Small self-contained refrigeration systems are on it too. It also covers some duct work, including "Replacing supply and return duct runs." The list does not include replacing a furnace, central AC or heat pump. It ends with "Other work as determined by the building official." We did not find an Austin page that says in words that an AC replacement needs a permit.
Austin says stand-alone trade permits can only go to licensed professional trade contractors or to a qualified homeowner acting as a trade contractor under the Homestead Permit rules. Austin Energy has an undated permitting PDF for its Appliance Efficiency Program. It says participants are "responsible for obtaining the necessary City of Austin permits for work being done." Its AC rebate page says, "All required City of Austin permits must be in place." Our guide to Austin Energy HVAC rebates covers that program.
Jacksonville rules for HVAC replacement
The City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division has a residential permits page. It quotes Florida Building Code Section 105.1. The section applies to any owner, authorized agent or contractor. It covers anyone who wants to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system that the technical codes regulate. That person must first apply to the building official and get the required permit for the work.
The page also lists mechanical work that needs no permit. The list covers portable equipment and piping within heating or cooling equipment. It also covers replacing "any part within a single piece of equipment" and small self-contained refrigeration systems. The list does not include replacing the whole system. The page also says, "Plumbing, electrical, and heating and air conditioning work must be done only by contractors and craftsmen certified in those trades and require separate permits."
The same page says a Notice of Commencement is required "When improvements exceed $5,000. ($15,000 for mechanical work.)"
Columbus rule not confirmed
Most City of Columbus permit pages would not load for us, and the two that did stated no HVAC rule. We did not confirm the city's rule for replacing home heating and cooling equipment. Ohio's Construction Industry Licensing Board says, "All local building and health departments regulate residential contractors." Ask the City of Columbus building department before work starts.
State contractor rules for HVAC work
The person doing the work must also meet state rules, and each of the five states words them differently.
- Arizona: A.R.S. 32-1151 makes it unlawful to act as a contractor "without having a contractor's license in good standing," unless the person is exempt. One exemption in A.R.S. 32-1121 "does not apply... in any case in which the performance of the work requires a local building permit."
- Washington: The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) says, "Washington State requires all construction contractors to register with L&I. State law also requires construction contractors to be bonded and insured to protect the public."
- Texas: The state agency is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). It says contractors who "install, repair, or maintain systems related to air conditioning, refrigeration, or heating must have a TDLR license."
- Florida: Fla. Stat. 489.115 says, "No person may engage in the business of contracting in this state without first being certified or registered in the proper classification."
- Ohio: Participating building departments must require the state license before they issue commercial permits. This rule comes from the state licensing law. The board says local departments regulate residential contractors. It says they may require the state commercial license for those contractors.
Our guides on checking an HVAC contractor's license and how to hire an HVAC contractor cover these rules in more detail.