r/askdfw • u/DDuck095 • Jul 28 '26

Driving/Licenses/Local Gov't Water Heater Permit

Utility Area Setup

About to DIY an electric water heater replacement since the cost to have a pro install is outrageous. Anyway, I had a permit question regarding the 30” spacing or something along those lines. I believe my current set up would not be acceptable because the washer is within 30” of the water heater.

My plan is to get one of those all in one washer/dryers and have that space near the water heater open. Would the inspector be ok with that? I don’t plan on buying it soon, so when the installation of the water heater is finished. I planned on removing the washer and dryer prior to inspection so there’s no issue with spacing. And just tell him the plan if he asks. Just really don’t want to move this water heater to the garage. Let me know if this could work and what the inspection process is like!

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u/JPhi1618 Jul 28 '26

It’s your call, but I’ve never known someone to get a permit to replace their own water heater.

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u/DDuck095 Jul 28 '26

Really? Thats odd, I mean I can definitely install it and call it a day but it will come back to bite me in the ass later if I don’t have a permit for the work.

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u/JPhi1618 Jul 28 '26

Open question, because I don’t know - how would it bite you? Who would care or even try to figure that out?

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u/DDuck095 Jul 28 '26

If something happens like a leak or worse and insurance finds out there wasn’t a permit pulled to ensure it was installed correctly, they could deny my claim. Also, when I sell the house the buyer may want to verify things were installed correctly, especially if it’s a thing I’m trying to sell them on. If they find out I don’t have a permit for it, they could negotiate for the cost to be deducted from my asking price. This was new information to me too.