An HVAC replacement is not just a purchase, it is a permitted construction job. The permit exists so a city inspector confirms that the equipment is installed safely and meets California’s energy code. The process differs slightly from city to city, and your contractor should handle it. Here is what we found for the places we serve.
Who pulls the permit
A licensed contractor normally applies for the permit. Roseville issues permits to the legal owner or to a licensed contractor and states that the owner remains responsible for permits. California also requires a home improvement contract to say who obtains the permits, so check that line before you sign. If a contractor says you do not need one, see how to choose an HVAC contractor.
City by city
- Roseville: permits go through the city’s Development Services. Contact the city to confirm the current process for a residential replacement.
- Rocklin: the city says a permit is required for residential HVAC replacement and that it is usually issued over the counter. Applications can also be made on its eTrakit system, and the forms include an application, a contact sheet and a compliance form.
- Folsom: over-the-counter permits are available for replacement heating and air conditioning units. Apply through eTrakit, and schedule inspections online.
- Elk Grove: same-location replacement of a furnace, condenser or ducts can be filed through eTrakit, and the city advises 24 to 48 hours. A permit is valid for one year and is extended on the first inspection. Applications after 5 p.m. on December 30, 2025 must meet the 2025 codes. An emergency replacement may be applied for by the next business day.
- City of Sacramento: licensed contractors can pull online minor permits for a residential HVAC change-out on one and two family homes. The application bundle includes a third-party compliance form and a planning exemption form.
Fees and exact steps change, so confirm them with your city building department before you assume a timeline.
Title 24 energy code testing
California treats an HVAC replacement as an alteration under Title 24. Under the 2022 code:
- Replacing an air handler, condensing unit or coil can require the connected duct system to be sealed and tested by a third-party rater.
- Refrigerant charge and airflow must be verified for air-cooled air conditioners and heat pumps in climate zones that include Sacramento’s.
- A non-setback thermostat must be replaced.
The 2025 code took effect on January 1, 2026 and applies to permits filed on or after that date. It replaces the term HERS rater with ECC, for Energy Code Compliance, and sets a duct leakage limit of 10 percent of airflow total or 7 percent to the outside, with a sealing and smoke test fallback verified by a rater. Whether your permit requires each test depends on the equipment you replace, so ask your contractor to list them and the cost.
What the inspection is for
The inspection confirms that the work matches the permit. Ask your contractor to be present for it and to give you the final sign-off. Keep it with your home records. It helps when you sell the home and for warranty or rebate claims that ask for a final inspection.
Why skipping the permit costs you
- You may have trouble selling the home or insuring it.
- Rebates may require proof of a passed inspection. SMUD, for example, requires a Title 24 verified install by a contractor in its network.
- No independent person checks the gas, electrical and venting work.
Related guides
We handle installation across Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Elk Grove and the Sacramento area. See our installation and replacement services or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace my furnace or air conditioner in California?
Yes. Replacing a furnace, air conditioner or heat pump needs a permit in the cities we serve, and the work must meet California’s Title 24 energy code. Rocklin, Folsom, Elk Grove and the City of Sacramento each publish how to apply.
Who pulls the HVAC permit?
A licensed contractor normally pulls it. Roseville issues permits to the legal owner or a licensed contractor, and says the owner remains responsible for permits. Your contract should say who obtains the permit, as California requires.
What is Title 24 testing for an HVAC replacement?
Under the 2022 code, replacing the condenser or air handler can require the duct system to be sealed and tested by a third-party rater, plus refrigerant charge and airflow verification in Sacramento’s climate zone. The 2025 code took effect January 1, 2026, and uses the term Energy Code Compliance rater.
How long does an HVAC permit take?
It depends on the city. Rocklin says permits for HVAC replacement are usually over the counter. Folsom offers over-the-counter permits online. Elk Grove advises allowing 24 to 48 hours.
What happens if I skip the permit?
An unpermitted installation can cause problems when you sell the home, may void rebates or warranty claims that require a passed inspection, and leaves you without an independent check of the work. Elk Grove allows emergency replacements to be permitted by the next business day.