A heater with a leaking tank, heavy rust or repeated breakdowns is usually due for replacement, and the City of San Diego requires a plumbing permit for the swap. Most tank-for-tank replacements on non-historic homes qualify for the City's simpler No-Plan permit. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in San Diego.
Time to replace?
- Water seeping from the tank shell or rust at the bottom seams
- Rusty hot water that does not clear after flushing
- Hot water running out faster than it used to, even after repairs
- Repairs coming more often and costing more each time
The City permit
The City of San Diego Development Services Department issues a Plumbing/Gas Permit for replacing part of a plumbing system, and a water heater counts. For most homes the paperwork is light: a Simple No-Plan permit through the City's Online Permitting Portal covers water heater replacement on non-historic properties. Two exceptions matter. Tankless installations are not included in the No-Plan option, and historic properties need a Plan permit; Information Bulletin 103 has the details. Ask the plumber whether they will pull the permit and schedule the inspection.
Picking the new heater
| Decision | What to think about |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Number of people, bathrooms and whether showers overlap |
| Fuel | Natural gas, electric resistance or a heat pump unit, based on what the home already has |
| Location | Garage, interior closet or exterior closet, and how much room there is |
| Tank or tankless | Tankless saves space but changes venting, gas sizing and the permit path |
Parts of a proper install
A new heater should get a new temperature and pressure relief valve with a discharge line routed to an approved spot, seismic strapping, a drain pan where a leak could cause damage, and new water and gas connectors. Gas units need correct venting and combustion air. San Diego's hard water also argues for a tank with an accessible drain valve and a plan to flush it, since scale is what wears tanks down here.
Older homes and tight spaces
With roughly half of San Diego's housing built before 1980, plenty of heaters sit in cramped closets designed for smaller units. Taller or wider modern tanks may not fit without moving shelving, a door or the vent route. Older homes can also have galvanized pipe at the heater that is worth replacing while the water is off.
What affects the price
- Tank size and fuel type
- Venting, gas line or electrical changes
- Permit and inspection fees
- Hauling away the old unit
- Access and any added code items
Get an itemized quote so you can compare plumbers fairly.
Water Heater Replacement questions from San Diego homeowners
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in San Diego?
Does the No-Plan permit cover a tankless water heater?
Should I stay with the same size tank?
Can hard water shorten the life of a new heater?
Related plumbing services in San Diego
Helpful guides
Water Heater Replacement in nearby cities and towns
San Diego County
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