Do You Need a Permit for HVAC Work in Morgan Hill?

What kind of HVAC work generally needs a permit

As of January 1, 2026, permit applications in California are generally subject to the 2025 California Building Standards Codes, as adopted and amended locally. Because local adoption and amendments vary, confirm what currently applies to your project with the City of Morgan Hill building division before you file.

In California, most residential heating and cooling work that involves replacing or altering fixed equipment falls under the building and mechanical codes, which means a permit and inspection. This commonly includes a furnace or air conditioner replacement, a full system replacement, installation of a heat pump, a ductless mini-split, and a heat pump water heater. It also generally applies to ductwork replacement or major alteration and any new dedicated electrical circuit added to support new equipment.

The exact scope that triggers a permit, along with current submittal requirements and fees, is set by the City of Morgan Hill building division and can change. Rather than relying on general guidance like this page, confirm the specifics for your project directly with the City of Morgan Hill Building Division before work begins.

Heat pump water heaters: an extra document or two

Water heaters are called out separately by the City. All water heater replacements require a permit, and for a conversion to a heat pump water heater the City currently requires an electrical load calculation unless the main service panel is 200 amps or greater, along with the manufacturer's specification sheet for the unit being installed. That load calculation is a documentation step rather than an automatic panel upgrade — see what actually determines panel needs. Current details are on the City's Water Heater Replacement page.

How permits are submitted

Morgan Hill's online residential permitting is currently limited to permits applied for by contractors, and water heater permits are among the types available that way. Other permit types follow the Building Division's current submission process, so confirm which applies to your scope with the Building & Fire Prevention division before you file.

Planning a future gas-furnace replacement? See the current Bay Area furnace-emissions timeline.

Why the permit and inspection process exists

A permit isn't paperwork for its own sake. The inspection tied to it is meant to confirm that combustion equipment is vented safely, that electrical work meets code, that ductwork isn't leaking conditioned air into an attic or crawlspace, and that the installed system matches what was represented to you. It's a second set of eyes on work that affects both safety and long-term performance.

This is also one of the areas covered in our broader discussion of what separates a thorough estimate and installation from a mediocre one. Permitting and inspection are part of the accountability structure around the job, not a separate hurdle.

Who pulls the permit — and why you should ask

In most cases, the licensed contractor performing the work applies for and holds the permit, since they are the party certifying the installation meets code. Some unlicensed or lower-cost operators skip this step entirely, either because they aren't licensed to pull one or because it adds time and paperwork to the job.

When you're comparing bids, ask each contractor directly whether the permit is included in their price and who will file it. Get the answer in writing as part of your proposal. This is one of the line items worth checking against our HVAC estimate checklist before you sign anything.

Title 24 and what it typically means for a changeout

Title 24, California's energy code, reaches replacement projects in existing Morgan Hill homes as well as new construction. Which of its requirements apply is set by what the permit covers — a like-for-like changeout, a duct replacement and a full system with new ducts do not carry identical compliance or HERS obligations. Depending on scope, this can involve:

• Minimum equipment efficiency ratings that installed equipment must meet or exceed.
• Duct leakage testing when ductwork is replaced or substantially altered, to verify the system isn't losing significant conditioned air.
• Refrigerant charge verification for many air conditioner and heat pump installations.
• Involvement of a certified HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rater for certain scopes of work, who performs independent verification and submits results to the state registry.

Which of these apply to your project depends on what exactly is being replaced. Your contractor should be able to explain which Title 24 requirements apply to your scope, and the California Energy Commission publishes the underlying code requirements if you want to read further.

Documentation worth keeping

Once the job is done, keep copies of the signed permit, the final inspection sign-off, any HERS verification paperwork, the equipment's efficiency ratings (AHRI certificate), and your final invoice. These documents are useful if you ever sell the home, file an insurance claim, apply for a manufacturer warranty, or pursue a rebate program that requires proof of a compliant installation.