Chandler plumbing and gas work that needs no permit (City Code 29-6.7)

It adds items to the list of work exempt from a permit in IRC R105.2. Chandler adopted the 2024 International Residential Code, and 29-6.7 reads: "Subsection R105.2 "Work exempt from permit" is hereby amended by adding items to each work category as follows". Under the Gas and Plumbing headings, the added items are:

• Gas item 4: "Replacement of gas water heating equipment where the replacement equipment is of equal or lesser BTU capacity and is placed in the same location as the existing equipment."
• Gas item 5: the same rule for gas pool or spa heating equipment.
• Gas item 6: the same rule for "gas air-conditioning equipment, direct vent equipment, furnaces, and log lighters."
• Plumbing item 3: "Replacement of water conditioning or treating equipment where the replacement equipment is of equal or lesser treatment capacity and is placed in the same location as the existing equipment."
• Plumbing item 4: "Replacement of solar pool and spa heating equipment where the replacement equipment is of equal or lesser heating capacity and is placed in the same location as the existing equipment."
• Plumbing item 5: "Replacement of electric water heating equipment where the replacement equipment is of equal or lesser amperage rating and is placed in the same location as the existing equipment."

Gas item 7 and Plumbing item 6 each end their list with a catch-all that covers "work of a similar nature and complexity as those items listed above" when the official allows it.

Section 29-6.7 only adds to the base list. The base R105.2 text is the International Code Council's model language, which this page does not reproduce. The same section also adds Building, Electrical and Mechanical items that are outside this page.

• Exempt from permit: you do not have to apply for one. The code still applies to the work.
• Equal or lesser capacity: the new unit's rating is at or below the old one. The ordinance measures gas equipment by BTU, electric water heaters by amperage, water treatment equipment by treatment capacity and solar pool heaters by heating capacity. It does not use tank gallons.
• Same location: where the old equipment sat. The ordinance does not define "same location"; our reading is that a move to another room or wall is a different location.
• Special cases: the Building Official's discretion. Our reading: those sentences let the official allow similar work, and they do not give you a right to skip the permit on your own.

It covers work built under the IRC, and the item wording does not name a building type. The matching commercial list is in City Code 29-2.11, which amends the IBC. Its items say "affixed to a Group R-3 occupancy" or "serving a Group R-3 occupancy" where 29-6.7 does not. In both lists, the exemption is for replacing equipment that is already there.

It does not apply if the new equipment is larger than the old, sits somewhere new, or is not on the list. Chandler's Homeowner Building Permit Manual adds that if you rent a home out, "a licensed contractor is required to obtain a permit," which matters when a permit is needed. Our page on who can pull a Chandler plumbing permit covers that.

The pool heater. A gas pool heater dies in July. The new one has the same BTU rating and goes on the same pad, so gas item 5 applies and no permit is needed. The install still has to meet the code.

The softener. A homeowner replaces a softener with a same-capacity unit in the same garage corner, which is plumbing item 3. Another homeowner wants a softener for the first time. The text says "Replacement," so a first-time install is not listed. Mesa treats this differently: its code exempts "Replacement or new installation of potable water conditioning or treating appliances" for a single dwelling unit in R-3, R-4 and R-5 occupancies.

The edge case: the bigger heater. A homeowner replacing an electric water heater picks a model with a higher amperage rating than the old one. Plumbing item 5 stops at "equal or lesser amperage rating," so this swap is off the list. Tempe words its rule differently: it requires the "same type, fuel source" and "equal or less amperage rating," so a gas-to-electric change is off the list there too.

1. 1Read the label on the old equipment: BTU input for gas, amperage for electric, capacity for treatment equipment.
2. 2Compare it to the new unit's label and check that it goes in the same spot.
3. 3If both hold, no permit is required. The manual still says exemption is not authority to break the code.
4. 4If either fails, or the item is not on the list, apply at the Development Services permit counter at 215 E. Buffalo St. or call 480-782-3000. For a permit-or-not question, the manual sends you to the Plan Reviewer of the Day at 480-782-3078 or prod@chandleraz.gov.
5. 5If a permit is issued, book the matching inspection from the inspections list.

For the water heater case in detail, see Chandler's water heater replacement permit page. Which fuel gas code Chandler enforces is on the fuel gas code editions page, and gas piping changes, covered on the gas line permit page, are a separate matter from the equipment swaps listed here. If you are comparing heater types, our FAQ on gas versus electric water heaters explains the tradeoffs.

• Myth, exempt means no rules: The manual says exemption "shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction."
• Myth, same size tank means same rating: The ordinance compares BTU, amperage or treatment capacity, not gallons.
• Myth, a little move is fine: The wording is "the same location as the existing equipment."
• Myth, skipping it costs the same later: The manual says that "Permit fees are doubled for building without a permit."
• Myth, 29-6.7 covers new installs: Every like-for-like item begins with the word Replacement.

This page reflects Chandler City Code 29-6.7 as read on the date above. Chandler amends its codes by ordinance.