HVAC Replacement Permit Rules in 10 US Cities

Replacement Means Permit Almost Everywhere

Baltimore is explicit: under Building Code §2802 no HVACR work may begin before a permit is issued, including like-for-like replacement, and only City-licensed HVACR contractors can get the permit. Austin uses a Residential Change-Out permit pulled by a licensed mechanical contractor. Chicago handles residential replacement through the Express Permit Program and asks for load calculations. Los Angeles puts same-size A/C replacement on its Express Permit list: a permit, but no plan check.

Seattle requires a mechanical permit for furnaces and heat pumps, plus a refrigeration permit for split systems. Philadelphia requires a building permit for HVAC work, usually as an EZ permit. Nashville requires a gas/mechanical permit for new and replacement A/C units, but not for repairs. Orlando requires a Mechanical (MEC) permit for permanently installed systems. Raleigh follows North Carolina law, which excludes HVAC replacement from its $40,000 exemption.

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: Yes

Replacing residential heating or cooling equipment, and installing a new single-unit heat pump or air conditioner, is done with an Express Permit. HVAC load calculations must be submitted, and rooftop or truss-mounted equipment needs a structural evaluation.

• HVAC replacement in homes is eligible for the Express Permit Program.
• Load calculations are required with the application.
• Equipment on a roof or hung from trusses needs a structural evaluation.
• Chicago issued 401 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 37 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB Express Permit Program: Mechanical (HVAC) Work · 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

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

The New York City Exception

New York City's 1 RCNY §101-14 exempts a packaged air-conditioning unit of 3 tons or less installed in an existing window or sleeve. Central systems, gas-fired equipment and most other HVAC work still need a DOB permit filed by licensed professionals.

Why the Contractor Usually Pulls the Permit

In Baltimore, Austin and Seattle the permit (or the refrigeration part of it) can only be issued to a licensed contractor. That makes the permit a useful check: if a contractor says your city "doesn't need one" for a replacement, ask them to show you the rule. Hiring a Licensed Contractor: Permit Rules That Depend on Licensing explains what to verify.

HVAC Permit Pages by City

See the rule, source and 12-month permit counts on Baltimore HVAC Permits, Austin HVAC Permits and Seattle HVAC Permits, or browse HVAC Permits by City.

Why Replacement Is Treated as New Work

Model codes exempt repairs and minor parts but not equipment replacement. Under IRC R105.2 the mechanical exemptions cover portable appliances and minor parts, while a new system involves sizing, venting, gas connections and refrigerant work that inspectors check. Emergency replacement is allowed to proceed with the application filed the next business day under IRC R105.2.1, which matters when a furnace fails in winter. For which other jobs are exempt, see Work That Does Not Need a Building Permit: IRC R105.2 Exemptions.

Frequently Asked Questions