'OP' means Original Poster

I replaced my water heater a few years back and I did not pull a permit for the job. A couple of years later I listed the house for sale through the Properties of The villages. My agent pulled all the permits and told me it looks like you still have the original water heater. I gave her the date of install and she updated her records and that was good enough for the property listing.

The only problem I had with the do-it-yourself water heater replacement was the disposal of the old water heater. The trash wouldn't take it. Bulk pickup would not take it. I was told that the contractor who changed the water heater was supposed to take it. Of course there was no contractor I did it myself. I ended up getting someone to come pick it up for scrap metal.

Do it yourself - not a problem.
No permit- not a problem.
Disposal of old water heater - small problem but I worked it out.

I've never seen that anywhere here. I do see a lot of people getting contractors to do the most simple of jobs. I do all of it myself here. it's your house and using contractors doesn't protect property values in any way ever.

OP means original post

Had my 40 gal gas replaced by a plumber about 4 years ago. I bought it at Lowes. I called TECO. To qualify for the rebate it has to be installed by a professional. I think the plumber turned in the request for the rebate for me.

Roger Pearce. He can be reached at 352-572-8954 or at pearceinstall@gmail.com

If I understand you correctly…you know what you’re doing….you own it…you maintain it…go for it!

Is tankless gas hot water worth the money when replacing the gas hot water tank? The rebate is higher.

Water heaters and septic tank systems are based on the number of bedrooms. Not bathrooms or people living there at the time.
The permit is for your protection that ALL safety devices and code practices are followed.
That being said you as a home owner can
Pull a permit If you live there and it’s your primary residence.
That’s according to the two states that I have had experience with.
That being said TV would require a permit for farting so they could make money on it. Lol :)

Thanks melpetezrinski. I will give him a call.

What permits does TV charge a fee?

Check Florida laws and Building Codes
 

In NH, where I'm from, a homeowner could perform certain building and repair tasks- I've added circuit breakers, replaced electric hot water heaters, etc. But I don't believe you are allowed to do that in Florida. A professional license (plumbing, electrical, gas ) is required. Check with your county's building codes dept.- they'll know. Of course, you can do anything without much fear of getting cited for a violation- but in the event of any malfunction requiring an insurance inspection- or selling your house subject to a "satisfactory" home inspection, you might run into problems. Low probability, but not zero.

I am in the market for an 80 gallon (or close to it) electric water heater. Please reach out if you or know of where there is a used one.

Interesting. I cannot find a Florida law that specifically prohibits a homeowner from doing work in their own house. For projects that require a permit, I think the Florida Statute Chapter 489 applies. That statute allow homeowners to apply for a permit and do projects up to $75,000 without a license. To get a permit, they may be required to sign a disclosure statement. Here is part of that disclosure statement from the statute:

"1. I understand that state law requires construction to be done by a licensed contractor and have applied for an owner-builder permit under an exemption from the law. The exemption specifies that I, as the owner of the property listed, may act as my own contractor with certain restrictions even though I do not have a license."

But I’m pretty sure you do NEED a permit from the powers that be, in the Villages!