By Vance McClenton, owner · Updated October 10, 2026 · 4 min read
The short answer
In Michigan, replacing a water heater requires a permit and inspection. Simple repairs — stopping a leak, clearing a stoppage, or removing and re-setting a toilet — generally don't need a permit as long as you're not replacing or moving pipes, valves, or fixtures. Replacing pipe or installing a new fixture is treated as new work and generally does need one. Your local building department has the final word.
Work that generally doesn't need a permit
Michigan's construction code rules list plumbing work that's exempt from a permit. In plain terms, that includes:
- Stopping a leak in a drain, water, waste, or vent pipe
- Clearing a stoppage
- Repairing a leak in a pipe, valve, or fixture
- Removing and re-setting a toilet — for example, to replace the wax seal
Work that generally does need a permit
The exemption ends when the repair involves replacing or rearranging valves, pipes, or fixtures. And if a concealed pipe is defective and has to be replaced with new material, the code treats that as new work that needs a permit and an inspection.
- Replacing a water heater
- Replacing a section of pipe with new material
- Adding or moving fixtures, such as a new bathroom or a basement shower
- Whole-home repipes
- Remodels that change the plumbing layout
Water heaters: what the permit involves
The State of Michigan's water heater permit covers direct replacement of gas, electric, and tankless water heaters in single-family homes. It calls for inspections, and the new heater can't be covered up or put into use until it's been inspected and approved. A contractor pulling this permit has to hold both plumbing and mechanical licenses. A homeowner can pull it only for work they do themselves in the home they live in.
What about replacing a toilet or faucet?
Repairing a toilet or re-setting it on a new seal is generally exempt. Swapping in a brand-new toilet or faucet replaces a fixture, which the exemption doesn't cover. Some local building departments handle simple like-for-like fixture swaps differently, so check locally or ask your plumber.
Why permits matter
A permit means an inspector checks the work. That protects you from things like an improperly vented gas water heater or a relief valve installed wrong. It can also matter when you sell the house or file an insurance claim. When Barrett Plumbing does work that needs a permit, we pull it and schedule the inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Need help with this in your home?
Sources
- Michigan Admin. Code R 408.30505 — Work exempt from permit
- State of Michigan (LARA) — Water Heater Permit Application
This article is general information, not legal advice. Local building departments make the final call on permits.