San Jose: do I need a permit to replace a furnace?
Yes. On SJPermits.org, Mechanical lists Furnace Replacement, Furnace New, Air Conditioning Appliance and Heat Pump among the permits filed online.
San Jose says most of its online permits need no plans, rooftop solar being the exception.
In San Jose, the 2025 Building Codes have been in effect since January 1, 2026, and the Permit Center sits on East Santa Clara Street.
San Jose
Santa Clara: what are Simple Permits?
Santa Clara's Simple Permits are streamlined residential permits for HVAC and water heater replacements, re-roofs and small sewer or water jobs.
They are open to single-family homeowners, licensed contractors and owners of multi-family buildings with four units or less.
Apply through the Permitting Online Portal whenever suits you, without coming to City Hall.
Santa Clara
Cupertino: do I need a permit to replace a furnace?
Yes. Cupertino's Instant Building Permit covers a furnace replacement in the same location, with no A/C, on a single-family home or duplex, and never on a historic property.
Any permit type not on Cupertino's instant list goes through a Standard Building Permit.
Only licensed contractors holding an active Accela Citizen Access account can file instant permits; questions go to permitcenter@cupertino.gov.
Cupertino
Palo Alto: what are the heat pump permit requirements for a home?
Palo Alto has an instant heat pump HVAC permit for C20 contractors on detached single-family homes, duplexes and ADUs. The city says it needs no staff review and is issued instantly.
Santa Clara County
Menlo Park: can I apply at the counter?
No. Menlo Park only accepts online digital building permit applications, with digital plans and supporting documents.
San Mateo County
Los Gatos: how do I file a furnace permit?
Online. The town's furnace page covers furnace, compressor, air handler and boiler repair or replacement, and complete system replacement, and the town does not take these applications at the counter.
Santa Clara County
Milpitas: is there an online permit for a new AC?
For a replacement in the same spot, yes: Milpitas offers an Air Conditioning Replacement at Same Location Permit online.
Santa Clara County
Fremont: what happens if work starts without a permit?
Fremont doubles the permit fee for work begun without the required permit.
Fremont works to the 2025 Edition of the California Mechanical Code, as amended by the city, and the 2025 Edition of the California Energy Code without amendments.
Fremont
Berkeley: does a heat pump need a permit, and what about BESO?
Berkeley requires a permit before anyone installs, alters, repairs or replaces a gas or mechanical system.
For BESO, an electric heat pump HVAC system must heat all conditioned areas of the building or unit; it may also cool.
Berkeley
Oakland: is a permit needed for mechanical work?
Yes. Oakland requires a permit before mechanical systems are installed, changed, fixed or replaced.
Alameda County
Hayward: do I need a permit to replace an HVAC unit?
Yes. Hayward requires a building permit both to remove and replace an HVAC unit and to install one for the first time.
Alameda County
Dublin: can a heating or AC install be permitted online?
Yes, without a full plan review, through Dublin's online permits.
Dublin inspections booked online can be scheduled up until 5:00 AM on the day, and the Building and Safety Division answers questions on fees and inspections.
Alameda County
San Francisco: do I need a permit to replace a furnace?
Yes; it is a mechanical permit. Contractors applying must hold a C4, C16, C20, C36, C54, B or A license.
Owners of stand-alone single-family dwellings, R-3 occupancy, may apply to do the work themselves.
Work cutting into or replacing pipes for hot or cool air, without plans, can be applied for online, and the Permit Center help desk takes voicemail.
San Francisco
Daly City: which permit covers a furnace replacement?
Daly City treats furnace replacement as a building maintenance permit.
San Mateo County
Mountain View: AC or heat pump?
When an existing single-family home's system is altered, Mountain View's cooling requirement encourages air source heat pumps, while allowing air conditioners with added efficiency measures.
Santa Clara County
Santa Cruz: who can get a mechanical permit?
Santa Cruz issues mechanical permits to contractors licensed by the state to do mechanical work, with a homeowner's permit possible for a single-family dwelling.
The city works to the 2025 California Mechanical Code and the 2025 California Energy Code, as it modifies them.
Santa Cruz County
State
Statewide
California Energy Commission
The state rules that apply everywhere
Buildings whose permit applications go in on or after January 1, 2026, must comply with the 2025 Energy Code.
Depending on the work, HERS field testing may be mandatory, and properly permitted work triggers any testing needed.
A homeowner can ask to see the completed HERS forms and has the right to hire a rater independent of the contractor.
On test day the rater may need the breaker panel, the roof, the attic or the crawlspace, and may ask you to close windows and doors and turn off the dryer or bathroom fan.
