Austin's Residential Change-Out Permit for HVAC

What It Covers

Replacement of a central heat and air system, a packaged unit or a mini-split in a one- or two-family home. The application names the responsible licensed mechanical contractor.

Every Project Type in Austin

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.

Roofing: Often No

Austin exempts asphalt shingles that replace asphalt shingles, and any roof covering that does not affect the roof structure. You do need a permit (normally an Express permit) to replace more than 128 sq ft of roof decking, or if the home is in the Wildland-Urban Interface and 50% or more of the roof is replaced.

• Exempt: like-for-like asphalt shingle replacement outside the WUI.
• Permit required: more than 128 sq ft of roof decking.
• Permit required in the WUI when 50% or more of the roofing is replaced.
• Official fees: Express Residential Plan Review (FY2026): $136.45; Residential Express Permit (FY2026): $87.49.
• Austin issued 1,081 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 28 days from application to issue.

Source: Austin DSD: Work Exempt from Building Permits · Full details: Austin Roofing Permits

HVAC: 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

Solar Panel: Yes

Solar panels or solar shingles inside Austin city limits that interconnect to Austin Energy need a residential building permit. Systems in the ETJ use a separate auxiliary permit through the AB+C portal.

• Inside city limits: residential building permit.
• In the ETJ: separate solar permit through the AB+C portal.
• Interconnection with Austin Energy is part of the process.
• Austin issued 660 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 9 days from application to issue.

Source: Austin DSD: Types of Permits · Full details: Austin Solar Panel Permits

Fence: Usually No

A fence up to 7 feet high is exempt from a building permit unless it is in a flood hazard area. A permit is required above 7 feet, and residential fences over 6 feet along a public right-of-way also need a letter of authorization.

• Exempt: fences up to 7 ft outside a flood hazard area.
• Permit: any fence in a floodplain or over 7 ft.
• Over 6 ft along a public right-of-way needs a City letter of authorization.
• Austin issued 87 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 94 days from application to issue.

Source: Austin DSD: Fencing Regulations · Full details: Austin Fence Permits

Deck: Usually Yes

A deck is exempt only if it is 200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the house, not used for egress and not in a flood hazard area. Other decks need a building permit; repairs limited to existing deck boards are exempt.

• Exempt: detached decks up to 200 sq ft and 30 in above grade.
• Exempt: non-structural repairs limited to deck boards.
• Attached decks need a building permit.
• Austin issued 385 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 104 days from application to issue.

Source: Austin DSD: Work Exempt from Building Permits (linked above) · Full details: Austin Deck Permits

What Is Exempt

Austin's exempt-work list includes replacing supply and return duct runs and minor parts. Equipment replacement itself is not exempt.

Austin Permit Pages

See Austin HVAC Permits and Austin Building Permits.

Other Austin Work That Is Exempt

Austin's work-exempt page is detailed, and it helps put the HVAC rule in context. It exempts detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less and no more than 15 ft tall, fences up to 7 ft outside a flood hazard area, retaining walls up to 4 ft, unattached decks up to 200 sq ft and 30 inches high, like-for-like asphalt shingles (with a Wildland-Urban Interface exception), siding and roof decking up to 128 sq ft, garage doors, and same-size door replacement. Replacing fixtures, faucets and exposed traps is exempt, but a new or replacement shower or tub is not. Work That Does Not Need a Building Permit: IRC R105.2 Exemptions compares this list with the model code.

What to Expect on Installation Day

The contractor applies for the change-out permit, installs the equipment and requests the inspection. The inspector typically checks equipment, electrical disconnect, condensate disposal, refrigerant line connections and, for gas furnaces, venting and gas connections. Ask your contractor for the permit number before work begins and confirm the final inspection passed before final payment.

Choosing an HVAC Contractor in Austin

Because the permit names a licensed mechanical contractor, a contractor who offers to skip it is a red flag. Ask for the license they will use, whether the permit fee is in the quote, and who meets the inspector. See Hiring a Licensed Contractor: Permit Rules That Depend on Licensing and compare with HVAC Replacement Permit Rules in 10 US Cities.

Who Issues Permits in Austin

Residential permits in Austin are issued by the City of Austin Development Services Department. Its website has the current application portal, fee schedule and inspection scheduling. Issued permits are published as open data in Austin Issued Construction Permits, which is the source of the permit counts and recent permits shown on our Austin pages. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the department before you start work.

Frequently Asked Questions