Serving Fort Collins, 80521 to 80528 and 80553

Water Heater Repair in Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins charges a flat $65 permit for a water heater, runs its own electric utility, and has required rental registration since 2025. Nearly half of homes here are rented. If your water heater has quit or is leaking, call and get a plumber out.

Call for service(858) 465-8561 What's different in Fort Collins

One callStraight to water heater help
Repair or replaceHonest advice on which makes sense
All major brandsRheem, A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Rinnai, Navien
Local to youPlumbers who work in your town

Fort Collins at a glance

What shapes water heater trouble in Fort Collins

66%

of Fort Collins homes heat with natural gas

Source: US Census Bureau

48%

of homes are rented

Source: US Census Bureau

$65

city building permit fee per water heater, plus sales tax

Source: City of Fort Collins

$37

yearly rental registration fee per property, required since 2025

Source: City of Fort Collins

Permits

A $65 permit, and the paperwork if you do it yourself

Fort Collins lists the water heater as its own permit type. The application is the city's heating and cooling permit form, and a homeowner doing the work also files a homeowner affidavit. The building permit fee is $65 per water heater, plus sales tax figured on the whole job, materials and labor. Applications go to Building Services by email.

The city's 2024 building codes took effect April 1, 2026, so a new installation is inspected against the current code. When you compare quotes, ask whether the permit and the sales tax are included.

Going electric

Switching to a heat pump water heater

About 66% of Fort Collins homes heat with gas and 31% with electricity. Gas comes from Xcel Energy, while electricity comes from the city's own utility, Light and Power. The city's electrification guide puts a heat pump water heater second on its list of steps and says ENERGY STAR models use 70% less energy than standard water heaters.

The guide has two practical tips. If your electrician says the house needs a bigger electric service, their bid usually won't include the work Fort Collins Utilities does on its side, so ask the city early. And if the water heater was your last gas appliance, Xcel will remove the gas meter for free. Call 1-800-895-4999 and ask for a meter removal, not a gas service demolition, which costs money.

Rentals

Registered rentals, and who to call

About 48% of Fort Collins homes are rented. As of January 1, 2025, most long-term rentals must be registered with the city every year, and owners self-certify that the unit meets minimum housing standards. The fee is $37 a year per property, plus $10 for each extra unit on the same lot. Tenants can look up a property's registration, and the city's minimum standards include working heat and water.

If you rent and the hot water is out, tell your landlord first. If it isn't fixed, you can ask the city for a rental inspection at 970-657-9521. Landlords can apply for the city's Rental Property Improvement Grant, which offered up to $7,000 a unit in its 2026 round for repairs that improve energy efficiency.

Before the plumber arrives

Safe steps for Fort Collins homes

Leaking? Close the cold water valve on top of the tank.
Turn off the gas valve or the breaker for the heater.
Gas smell? Xcel Energy supplies natural gas in Fort Collins. Leave the house, call 911 from outside, then Xcel Energy at 800-895-2999.

Call for service(858) 465-8561

Service area

Where we take calls

Fort Collins, Larimer County, ZIP codes 80521, 80522, 80523, 80524, 80525, 80526, 80527, 80528, 80553. Not sure your address is covered? Call and we'll check.

Nearby towns

Services in Fort Collins

Repair, replacement and emergencies

Plumber using a pipe wrench on the gas line of a tank water heater

Water Heater Repair

Gas, electric and tankless repairs, from pilot lights to heating elements.

Learn more

Hot water running with steam from a copper kitchen faucet after a water heater repair

No Hot Water

Cold shower this morning? Get the cause found and fixed fast.

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Tank water heater leaking water from its base onto a basement floor

Leaking Water Heater

Water around the tank or a dripping relief valve. Act before it floods.

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Plumber's tool bag, pipe wrenches and copper fittings beside a water heater

Emergency Water Heater Repair

Burst tank, gas smell or water everywhere. Call right away.

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Plumber wheeling a new tank water heater through a home hallway on a hand truck

Water Heater Replacement

When repair no longer makes sense, get a new tank or tankless unit.

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Wall-mounted tankless water heater with copper and brass water and gas lines

Tankless Water Heater Repair

Error codes, lukewarm water and scale buildup on tankless units.

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Questions

Fort Collins water heater questions

How much is a water heater permit in Fort Collins?

The city lists a building permit fee of $65 per water heater, plus sales tax on the total job value. Homeowners doing their own work also file a homeowner affidavit.

Who supplies water in Fort Collins?

It depends on your address. Fort Collins Utilities serves much of the city, while the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District and ELCO serve other parts. ELCO's water comes mostly from Horsetooth Reservoir. Check your bill.

I replaced my gas water heater with electric. Can I get rid of the gas meter?

If it was your last gas appliance, the city says Xcel will remove the meter for free. Ask for a meter removal, not a gas service demolition, which has a charge.

Do Fort Collins rentals have to be registered?

Yes. Since January 1, 2025, most long-term rentals must register every year and self-certify that they meet minimum standards. Tenants can request a rental inspection at 970-657-9521.

Sources

Where these local facts come from

Figures are the latest published by each source. Pricing and availability are set by the plumber.

No hot water in Fort Collins?

Call now for water heater repair or replacement.

Call for service(858) 465-8561