Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
HVAC replacement · Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix treats an air-conditioner replacement as permit-exempt only when the replacement does not increase size or capacity and does not change location.
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14 cited local decisions
HVAC replacement
Capacity, location and connected work can change the path
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
HVAC replacement · Austin, TX
Austin provides a Residential Change-Out permit for eligible HVAC replacements in occupied one- and two-family dwellings and assigns the filing to a licensed mechanical contractor.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
HVAC replacement · San Antonio, TX
San Antonio lets a licensed contractor replace an air conditioner immediately through the Limited Service Repair process and submit the formal permit within three business days.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
HVAC replacement · Nashville, TN
Metro Nashville lists both new and replacement air-conditioning units as requiring a gas/mechanical permit for one- and two-family dwellings.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
HVAC replacement · Houston, TX
Houston requires a mechanical permit for replacement or modification of HVAC equipment, including condensing units, evaporators and furnaces.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
HVAC replacement · Dallas, TX
Dallas uses a mechanical permit for regulated HVAC installation, alteration and repair and requires licensed contractor information and inspections.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
HVAC replacement · Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth lists changing, moving or repairing central HVAC equipment, ductwork or exhaust fans on the mechanical-permit path. A like-for-like label does not resolve added electrical, gas, duct or location work.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
HVAC replacement · San Diego, CA
San Diego publishes a simple mechanical, electrical and plumbing permit path for qualifying residential HVAC work. Separate replacement from relocation, duct, capacity and connected trade changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
HVAC replacement · Tampa, FL
Tampa publishes residential mechanical inspection stages for permitted HVAC work. Confirm replacement versus relocation, ducts, capacity and connected electrical or gas work.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
HVAC replacement · Raleigh, NC
Raleigh's residential guidance publishes a permit path for HVAC and mechanical projects. Separate a replacement from relocation, capacity, duct, gas and electrical changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
HVAC replacement · Orlando, FL
Orlando includes mechanical permits and inspections in its residential permitting system. Identify equipment, location, ducts, fuel and electrical changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
HVAC replacement · Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City routes HVAC equipment and duct changes through its mechanical trade-permit system. Confirm replacement versus relocation and every gas or electrical connection.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
HVAC replacement · Columbus, OH
Columbus includes residential HVAC work in its mechanical permit process. Confirm equipment, capacity, location, ducts and connected trade changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
HVAC replacement · San Jose, CA
San José publishes an over-the-counter building and trade permit route for qualifying HVAC and heat-pump work. Confirm equipment, capacity, location, ducts, electrical and fuel changes.
4 cited local decisions
Heat pump installation
Mechanical and electrical scopes usually overlap
Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
Heat pump · Charlotte, NC
Mecklenburg County provides an online trade-permit route for equipment change-outs and groups overlapping mechanical, electrical and plumbing scopes.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Heat pump · Houston, TX
A Houston heat-pump installation follows the mechanical permit path, with separate electrical scope when circuits, disconnects or service equipment change.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Heat pump · Phoenix, AZ
A Phoenix heat-pump project is permit-exempt only if it fits the city's narrow unchanged-equipment replacement conditions; a new system or changed capacity, location or connections requires review.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Heat pump · Dallas, TX
A Dallas heat-pump installation follows the mechanical permit path and adds electrical permitting when circuits, disconnects, panel or service work changes.
11 cited local decisions
Electrical panel upgrade
Service changes may require utility coordination
Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
Electrical panel · Dallas, TX
Dallas publishes an electrical permit checklist that covers service information and limits who may perform residential electrical work.
Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
Electrical panel · Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas lists electric meter tags, panel changes and service changes among the commercial-and-residential permits available without plan submittal.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Electrical panel · Charlotte, NC
Mecklenburg County requires an electrical permit when permanent residential wiring, devices or equipment are altered, replaced or repaired, which puts a panel upgrade on the permit path.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Electrical panel · Houston, TX
Houston requires a Circuit Panel Permit for circuit-breaker panel work and routes the filing through a registered electrical contractor or registered master electrician.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Electrical panel · Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix requires permits for electrical updates, service reconnects and service or panel upgrades.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Electrical panel · San Antonio, TX
San Antonio places residential panelboard and service work on the electrical permit path and requires a licensed, city-registered trade contractor for contracted electrical work.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Electrical panel · Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville requires a permit before regulated electrical-system replacement or alteration, which places a residential panel replacement on the electrical permit and inspection path.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Electrical panel · San Diego, CA
San Diego's DSD permit system includes electrical permits for panel, service and related residential electrical work. Separate panel-only work from service, meter and utility coordination.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Electrical panel · Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City places panel, service and related wiring on its electrical trade-permit path. Identify panel rating, service, meter, grounding, load and utility work.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Electrical panel · Columbus, OH
Columbus routes panel and service work through its electrical permit and inspection process. Separate panel-only, service, meter, load and utility-release scope.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Electrical panel · San Jose, CA
San José routes panel and service changes through electrical permitting and SJPermits. Separate panel-only work from service, meter and utility coordination.
3 cited local decisions
EV charger installation
A new dedicated circuit is the key condition
Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
EV charger · Houston, TX
Houston publishes a dedicated electrical permit path for EV charging outlets and lists an inspection as required.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
EV charger · Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix provides an over-the-counter permit path for qualifying residential EV charging equipment and routes larger service upgrades to formal plan review.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
EV charger · Dallas, TX
Dallas requires an electrical permit for new residential wiring; a hardwired charger or new EV circuit therefore follows the electrical permit and inspection path.
13 cited local decisions
Water heater replacement
Fuel type, venting and location affect requirements
Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
Water heater · San Antonio, TX
San Antonio allows a licensed contractor to replace a water heater immediately under the Limited Service Repair process and file the formal permit shortly afterward.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Water heater · Denver, CO
Denver places replacement water heaters in its trade-permit system, with the quick-permit route depending on building type, fuel and whether the work remains an eligible replacement.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Water heater · Las Vegas, NV
The City of Las Vegas requires a permit before a water heater is installed, moved, removed or replaced and requires a final inspection after the work is complete.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Water heater · Houston, TX
Houston requires a plumbing permit for water-heater replacement or installation and lists inspection as required.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Water heater · Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix distinguishes owner-installed electric water heaters, which require a permit, from certain licensed-contractor replacement work listed as exempt.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Water heater · Dallas, TX
Dallas says a plumbing permit is required for water-heater work and publishes a homestead owner path alongside the licensed-plumber process.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Water heater · Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth lists changing, installing, moving or repairing plumbing, including water heaters, on the plumbing-permit path. Fuel conversion, relocation, venting or electrical changes add scope.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Water heater · San Diego, CA
San Diego publishes a simple mechanical, electrical and plumbing permit path that includes qualifying water-heater work. Confirm fuel, location, capacity, venting and connected trade changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Water heater · Tampa, FL
Tampa's residential permit and inspection system includes regulated water-heater and connected plumbing work. Confirm fuel, capacity, location, venting and connected electrical changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Water heater · Raleigh, NC
Raleigh includes water-heater and plumbing work in its residential permit guidance and project data sheets. Confirm fuel, location, venting and connected electrical scope.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Water heater · Orlando, FL
Orlando includes water-heater replacement and connected plumbing work in its residential permit and inspection routes. Confirm fuel, capacity, location, venting and electrical changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Water heater · Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City includes water-heater and connected plumbing work in its trade-permit system. Confirm equipment, fuel, venting, drain, location and connected electrical work.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Water heater · Columbus, OH
Columbus routes regulated water-heater and plumbing changes through its permit system. Document fuel, location, venting, drain and electrical work.
11 cited local decisions
Roof replacement
Repair area, material and structural changes can matter
Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
Roof replacement · Denver, CO
Denver requires a roof permit when repairs exceed 10% of the roof area or two roof squares, whichever threshold is smaller.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Roof replacement · Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville treats residential reroofing as permitted work and requires the roofing scope to be handled under the proper owner-builder or licensed-contractor path.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Roof replacement · Houston, TX
Houston publishes a building-permit path for re-roofing and overlay work; small repairs and structural scope must be classified separately.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Roof replacement · Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix generally exempts like-for-like re-roofing that stays within the published layer and structural limits; structural or material changes require a permit.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Roof replacement · Dallas, TX
Dallas distinguishes minor roof repair from a full or large reroof; structural damage requires a building permit and broader review.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Roof replacement · Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth distinguishes shingle-only work from decking, sheathing, rafter or ridge-board replacement, which requires a building permit. Classify covering-only work separately from structural roof repair.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Roof replacement · Tampa, FL
Tampa publishes residential permit and inspection routes for regulated roofing work under the Florida Building Code. Separate limited repair from reroof, decking and structural changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Roof replacement · Orlando, FL
Orlando publishes residential permitting requirements for roofing and related structural work. Separate repair, reroof, decking and structural changes and record Florida product approvals.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Roof replacement · Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City publishes building-permit and inspection routes for regulated roof and structural work. Separate limited covering repair from deck, framing and storm-damage reconstruction.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Roof replacement · Seattle, WA
Seattle publishes a permit exemption for qualifying roof-covering replacement when no structural or building-envelope work is included. Decking, structure, insulation, sheathing and protected-site conditions can move the work outside the exemption.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Roof replacement · San Jose, CA
San José publishes a building-permit and fee route for regulated reroof work. Separate covering work from decking, framing, solar and structural changes.
6 cited local decisions
Solar panel installation
Solar usually follows a combined permit path
Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
Solar panels · Austin, TX
Austin lists a permit as required for residential solar connected to Austin Energy's distribution system and service area.
Rule citedReviewed August 4, 2026
Solar panels · Nashville, TN
Metro Nashville explicitly lists installing solar panels among the residential projects that require a building permit.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Solar panels · Houston, TX
Houston says residential solar requires, at minimum, structural and electrical permits under the same project number.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Solar panels · Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix requires Planning & Development approval for solar and a separate Fire Department permit; qualifying residential rooftop systems can use SolarAPP+.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Solar panels · Dallas, TX
Dallas processes residential solar through an electrical permit path and publishes a current bulletin for systems covered by Texas streamlined-review laws.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Solar panels · Orlando, FL
Orlando routes residential solar through building and electrical review with separate utility interconnection. Confirm array, attachments, one-line diagram, service capacity and utility requirements.
3 cited local decisions
Home battery installation
Location, capacity and system design can trigger review
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Home battery · Houston, TX
For qualifying small residential backup systems, Houston says state law limits city regulation of the system itself, while city inspection still applies to electrical and fuel-gas service connections.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Home battery · Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix requires separate development and fire approval for residential energy storage and publishes capacity thresholds for over-the-counter versus plan review.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Home battery · Dallas, TX
Dallas handles permanent residential battery storage as regulated electrical work and includes qualifying energy-storage systems in its current state-law process bulletin.
8 cited local decisions
Window replacement
Changing the opening is the key permit condition
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Window replacement · Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville's official fee schedule contains a dedicated permit category for window and door replacement, while historic exterior work adds a separate preservation review.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Window replacement · Houston, TX
Houston window work is scope-dependent: structural changes and regulated building-element repairs use a building or repair permit path, while an unchanged insert must be confirmed against the city's repair exceptions.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Window replacement · Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix does not require a permit for a replacement in the same opening and conditions, but enlarging or changing the opening requires a permit and inspection.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Window replacement · Dallas, TX
Dallas generally treats ordinary window replacement as minor repair, but changing the opening or structure requires a building permit and protected properties need separate review.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Window replacement · Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth states that replacement or addition of exterior doors and windows requires a building permit. Confirm whether the opening, header, egress or historic status changes.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Window replacement · Orlando, FL
Orlando's residential requirements route regulated window and door replacement through permit and product-approval review. Confirm opening changes, egress, wind design and historic conditions.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Window replacement · Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia distinguishes ordinary repair from regulated opening, façade and historic work in its construction-permit system. Confirm same-opening scope, structure, egress and Philadelphia Historical Commission review.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Window replacement · San Jose, CA
San José publishes a permit and fee route for regulated window and door replacement. Confirm same-opening scope, structural change, egress, energy and planning conditions.
5 cited local decisions
Standby generator installation
Electrical, gas, zoning and fire rules may overlap
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Standby generator · Houston, TX
Houston's current guidance separates regulation of a qualifying residential backup system from city inspection of its electrical and fuel-gas service connections.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Standby generator · Phoenix, AZ
A permanently connected Phoenix standby generator is a multi-trade project: the electrical transfer and service work and any gas-line modification require permits, while placement must be checked separately.
Rule citedReviewed August 5, 2026
Standby generator · Dallas, TX
Dallas requires a permit package for a permanent standby generator, including electrical design, site placement and fuel information; gas work adds plumbing scope.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Standby generator · Tampa, FL
Tampa publishes a residential generator plan-review route for permanently connected equipment. Confirm electrical transfer, fuel, placement, flood and utility requirements.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Standby generator · Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City routes permanent generators through its building and trade permit system. Confirm electrical transfer equipment, fuel, placement and utility coordination.
1 cited local decision
Bathroom remodel
Layout and trade changes determine which permits are required
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Bathroom remodel · Seattle, WA
Seattle publishes a narrow construction-permit exemption for qualifying minor repairs and alterations costing no more than the stated threshold in any six-month period. Plumbing, electrical, structure and other regulated work can still require permits.
4 cited local decisions
Kitchen remodel
Cabinet-only work is different from a full layout change
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Kitchen remodel · Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth exempts cosmetic remodel work but requires permits when walls, floors or regulated building and trade systems change. Separate cabinets and finishes from wall, plumbing, electrical and ventilation work.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Kitchen remodel · San Diego, CA
San Diego publishes a building-permit route and a residential additions and alterations bulletin for regulated remodel work. Cosmetic work must be separated from walls, structure and connected trades.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Kitchen remodel · Seattle, WA
Seattle publishes a dedicated house-addition and remodel permit path and distinguishes work that does not need a permit. Separate finishes from structure, layout, occupancy and connected trades.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Kitchen remodel · Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia publishes building and repair permit routes for regulated residential alterations. Separate finish work from structural, plumbing, electrical and mechanical changes.
2 cited local decisions
Deck construction or replacement
Height, area, attachment and setbacks matter
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Deck · Raleigh, NC
Raleigh's residential submission guide publishes a permit route for deck projects. Confirm height, attachment, setbacks, flood conditions and the required plan set.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Deck · Columbus, OH
Columbus publishes a residential deck plan and building-permit route. Confirm site, attachment, footing, guard, stair and zoning details.
2 cited local decisions
Fence installation
Height and location usually control
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Fence · Seattle, WA
Seattle publishes a construction-permit exemption for qualifying fences under eight feet, with a lower limit for masonry construction. Property lines, sight distance, retaining function and protected-site rules remain separate.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Fence · Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia publishes a building-permit exemption for a qualifying fence at or below six feet. Zoning, historic, retaining and pool-barrier rules remain separate.
3 cited local decisions
Shed or accessory structure
Size exemptions do not erase zoning rules
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Shed · Columbus, OH
Columbus publishes a narrow building-permit exemption for qualifying one-story accessory structures at or below 120 square feet. Zoning, location, utilities and larger structures still require separate confirmation.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Shed · Seattle, WA
Seattle publishes a construction-permit exemption for qualifying small one-story accessory structures under 120 square feet. Location, utilities, environmentally critical areas and use still require confirmation.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Shed · Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia publishes a building-permit exemption for a qualifying one-story detached structure at or below 200 square feet. Zoning, location, utilities and larger structures remain separate.
3 cited local decisions
Swimming pool or spa
Barrier, electrical and site safety are inseparable
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Pool or spa · Tampa, FL
Tampa's residential permitting and inspection system covers pools, electrical bonding, equipment and barrier scope. Confirm parcel setbacks, flood conditions, equipment and barrier details.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Pool or spa · Raleigh, NC
Raleigh's residential submission guide publishes a permit route for pool and connected barrier work. Confirm location, equipment, bonding, drainage and barrier details.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Pool or spa · Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia publishes a narrow building-permit exemption for qualifying shallow prefabricated pools or spas below the stated depth and volume limits. Electrical, plumbing, barrier, zoning and larger-pool requirements remain separate.
2 cited local decisions
Accessory dwelling unit
Land use comes before construction drawings
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
ADU · Raleigh, NC
Raleigh publishes residential permitting resources for accessory dwelling and addition scope, with zoning and utility prerequisites. Resolve city or ETJ jurisdiction, property eligibility, utilities and complete plans first.
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
ADU · San Jose, CA
San José publishes building-permit requirements for additions, conversions and accessory dwelling projects. Confirm property eligibility, unit type, planning conditions, fire separation and utilities.
1 cited local decision
Whole-home plumbing repipe
Concealed distribution work needs inspection planning
Rule citedReviewed August 9, 2026
Plumbing repipe · San Diego, CA
San Diego routes replacement or rearrangement of regulated residential plumbing through its plumbing permit process. Separate an interior repipe from exterior service, structural and finish-repair work.