HVAC Replacement Permit Rules in 15 US Cities

Quick Facts

From our city pages and each city's open permit data (refreshed October 30, 2026).

Repair Versus Replacement

Cities draw the line in the same place: fixing or swapping parts of an existing unit is exempt, replacing the unit is not. Austin exempts replacing a minor part that doesn't alter the equipment's approval, and replacing supply and return duct runs. Nashville exempts furnace and condenser repairs. Kansas City exempts replacing an appliance part that doesn't alter its original approval. Portable and plug-in units, including window ACs, need no permit in Chicago, Orlando, Austin and Cincinnati.

City-By-City HVAC Permit Rules

These summaries come from the same official sources as our city pages and were last checked October 30, 2026. Permit counts are the city's own open-data records for the last 12 months.

Chicago: Not for In-Kind Swaps

In a residential building up to 4 stories, repairing or replacing a furnace, boiler or air conditioner in-kind (same type, size and shape) needs no building permit. A new system or a replacement that is not in-kind needs a permit, which the Express Permit Program covers with load calculations.

• No permit: in-kind repair or replacement of a furnace, boiler, radiator, ductwork or air conditioning appliance in a residential building up to 4 stories.
• "In-kind" means the same type, size and shape.
• Permit needed: new equipment or non-in-kind replacement; Express Permits require HVAC load calculations, and rooftop or truss-hung equipment needs a structural evaluation.
• Landmark properties may not qualify for the exemption.
• Chicago issued 401 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 37 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB: Mechanical (HVAC) Work (work not requiring a permit) · Full details: Chicago HVAC Permits

New York: Usually Yes

Most heating and central air work needs a DOB permit. 1 RCNY §101-14 exempts a packaged air-conditioning unit of 3 tons or less installed in an existing window or sleeve, and some voluntary systems serving one floor that do not penetrate a roof, floor or fire-rated wall.

• Exempt: packaged AC units up to 3 tons in existing windows or sleeves.
• Exempt: voluntary AC/ventilation serving one floor with no lot-line openings or penetrations.
• Gas and oil-burning equipment work requires licensed trades.
• New York issued 4,485 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 51 days from application to issue.

Source: 1 RCNY §101-14: Work that may or may not require a permit · Full details: New York HVAC Permits

Los Angeles: Yes

Replacing an A/C unit with one of the same size and type, and gas furnaces under 500,000 Btu/h, are on the LADBS Express Permit list: you still need a mechanical permit, but no plan check.

• Same size and type A/C replacement: Express Permit.
• Gas furnaces and heaters under 500,000 Btu/h: Express Permit.
• Duct alterations in buildings without smoke control: Express Permit.
• Los Angeles issued 15,929 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 147 days from application to issue.

Source: LADBS Information Bulletin P/GI 2020-003: Express Permits · Full details: Los Angeles HVAC Permits

Austin: Yes

Replacing a central heat and air system, a packaged unit or a mini-split in a one- or two-family home requires a Residential Change-Out permit, pulled by a licensed mechanical contractor. Replacing supply and return duct runs alone is exempt.

• HVAC replacement uses the Residential Change-Out permit (Residential Code R109.5).
• The responsible contractor must be a licensed mechanical contractor.
• Exempt: replacing supply/return duct runs and minor parts.
• Austin issued 2,212 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 5 days from application to issue.

Source: Austin Build + Connect Manual: Change Out Permits

Seattle: Yes

Furnaces and heat pumps need a mechanical (furnace) permit in Seattle, and split systems with refrigerant piping also need a refrigeration permit, which only a licensed contractor can get. New circuits or panel work add an electrical permit.

• Mechanical/furnace permit for furnaces and heat pumps.
• Refrigeration permit for split systems; licensed contractor required.
• Electrical permit if circuits or panel work are involved.
• Seattle issued 12,661 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 0 days from application to issue.

Source: Seattle SDCI: Furnace & Refrigeration Permits · Full details: Seattle HVAC Permits

Orlando: Yes

Installing or replacing a permanently installed air-conditioning or heating system in Orlando needs a Mechanical (MEC) permit. Portable and plug-in units do not.

• Mechanical (MEC) permit for permanent AC/heating systems.
• Contractors must be registered with Permitting Services.
• Owner-builders sign a declaration in person.
• Orlando issued 3,765 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 1 days from application to issue.

Source: City of Orlando: Mechanical (MEC) Permit Forms · Full details: Orlando HVAC Permits

Philadelphia: Yes

HVAC work needs a building (mechanical) permit in Philadelphia but no zoning permit, and it can usually be issued as an EZ permit without plans.

• HVAC work: building permit yes, zoning permit no.
• Mechanical work is on the EZ permit list.
• Sheet metal work requires a contractor with the specific license.
• Philadelphia issued 2,439 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Philadelphia L&I: Start Right guide (June 2026) · Full details: Philadelphia HVAC Permits

Baltimore: Yes

Under Baltimore Building Code §2802, no HVACR work may start before a permit is issued, including like-for-like replacement. The permit can only be issued to a City-licensed HVACR contractor.

• Permit required before any HVACR work, including replacement.
• Permits issue only to City-licensed HVACR contractors.
• Rough-in and final inspections are required.
• Official fees: Air conditioning (non cooling tower): $5 per ton, min $30, max $300 per unit; Fuel-burning equipment 0–200,000 BTU/h: $30; Gas/oil piping, 1–2 family: $25; Replacement units: Same as new.
• Baltimore issued 3,941 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Baltimore Building Code §2802

Nashville: Yes

New and replacement air-conditioning units, condenser replacements and furnaces changing size or fuel need a gas/mechanical permit in Nashville. Repairs to a furnace or condenser do not.

• Gas/mechanical permit: new or replacement AC units.
• Gas/mechanical permit: furnace with a different size or fuel.
• No permit: furnace or condenser repair.
• Nashville issued 178 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 14 days from application to issue.

Source: Metro Nashville Codes: Projects That May or May Not Require a Permit · Full details: Nashville HVAC Permits

Raleigh: Yes

North Carolina's $40,000 permit exemption does not apply to the addition, replacement or change in design of heating or air-conditioning equipment, so an HVAC replacement in Raleigh needs a permit.

• HVAC addition or replacement is excluded from the $40,000 exemption.
• Raleigh lists new HVAC units as a residential permit type.
• Licensed contractors must be named in the portal.
• Raleigh issued 61 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 30 days from application to issue.

Source: N.C. General Statute 160D-1110 · Full details: Raleigh HVAC Permits

San Francisco: Yes

A mechanical permit is needed to install or replace gas appliances such as a furnace, hydronic heat or a heat pump, and to cut into or replace pipes carrying gas, hot air or cool air. Licensed contractors (C4, C16, C20, C36, C54, B or A) apply through PermitSF.

• Plumbing and mechanical permits without plans are applied for in the PermitSF portal.
• Contractors need a C4, C16, C20, C36, C54, B or A license to apply.
• New mechanical equipment that needs a building permit requires plans.
• Official fees: Category 1M: single residential unit gas appliance (furnace, hydronic heat, heat pump): $192.55; Category 2M: gas appliances, residential with 6 or fewer units: $309.16.
• San Francisco issued 346 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 9 days from application to issue.

Source: SF.gov: Apply for a plumbing and mechanical permit · Full details: San Francisco HVAC Permits

New Orleans: Yes

New Orleans requires a mechanical permit to install, repair, replace or alter air conditioning, electric or gas furnaces and heaters, or gas lines. An HVAC permit can only be pulled by a holder of a Class A City of New Orleans Mechanical A/C license.

• Required for installing, repairing, replacing or altering A/C and heating equipment.
• Only a Class A city-licensed mechanical contractor can apply.
• Fees depend on equipment type, number of connections and number of units; the permit is valid for six months of inactivity.
• New Orleans issued 2,778 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 5 days from application to issue.

Source: City of New Orleans: Mechanical Permit · Full details: New Orleans HVAC Permits

Pittsburgh: Yes

A residential mechanical permit is required to install, repair, extend or modify heating, ventilation or fuel gas systems in Pittsburgh homes. No drawings are needed, but exterior equipment such as an AC condenser also needs a Zoning Development Review.

• Required for new or modified heating, ventilation, refrigeration and fuel gas systems.
• Residential mechanical permits don't need drawings.
• Exterior mechanical equipment also needs a Zoning Development Review.
• Pittsburgh issued 391 matching permits in the last 12 months.

Source: Pittsburgh PLI: Residential Mechanical Permit · Full details: Pittsburgh HVAC Permits

Cincinnati: Yes

Cincinnati requires an HVAC permit for all new installations and replacement units, including furnaces, furnace add-ons, wood stoves and duct re-work. Window air conditioners don't need a permit.

• Replacement units need a permit, not just new installations.
• Exempt: window AC units and duct extensions in additions to 1-3 family homes.
• Inspections need at least 24 hours' notice.
• Cincinnati issued 1,798 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 5 days from application to issue.

Source: Cincinnati Buildings & Inspections: HVAC Informational Handout · Full details: Cincinnati HVAC Permits

Kansas City: Yes

Kansas City requires a permit for most heating and ventilating work, including replacing a furnace. Replacing a part of an appliance that doesn't alter its original approval is exempt. Owner-occupants of single-family homes can pull the permit and do the work themselves; otherwise a licensed contractor is required.

• Exempt: portable units and replacement parts that don't alter the appliance's approval.
• Owner-occupants of single-family homes may get their own permit.
• Apply through CompassKC.
• Kansas City issued 2,600 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 2 days from application to issue.

Source: KCMO: Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Permits · Full details: Kansas City HVAC Permits

Step-by-Step: What to Do

1. Decide whether the job is a repair, an in-kind replacement or a new or changed system.
2. Read your city's rule in the table below; most require a mechanical permit for any replacement.
3. Confirm your contractor holds the license your city requires to pull the permit.
4. Make sure the permit is issued before the old unit is removed.
5. Be home for the final inspection and keep the approval with your equipment warranty papers.

Correction: Chicago In-Kind Replacement

Earlier versions of this guide said Chicago requires an Express Permit for residential HVAC replacement. Chicago's list of work that does not need a permit says repairing or replacing a furnace, boiler or air-conditioning appliance in-kind (same type, size and shape) in a residential building up to 4 stories needs no building permit. A new system, an upsized unit or a switch from a furnace to a heat pump is not in-kind and still needs a permit, which the Express Permit Program handles with load calculations.

Who Can Pull the Permit

Baltimore issues HVACR permits only to City-licensed HVACR contractors, and Building Code §2802 says no work may start before the permit, including like-for-like replacement. Austin's Residential Change-Out permit is pulled by a licensed mechanical contractor. New Orleans HVAC permits require a Class A City of New Orleans Mechanical A/C license. Seattle's refrigeration permit for split systems is contractor-only. Kansas City is the exception: owner-occupants of single-family homes can pull the permit. See Hiring a Licensed Contractor: Permit Rules That Depend on Licensing for what to verify.

Permit Pages and Related Guides

See the rule, fees and 12-month counts on Baltimore HVAC Permits and Austin HVAC Permits, compare every city on HVAC Permits by City, and check How Much Does a Building Permit Cost? Verified Fee Examples for verified fee schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions