Portland requires a permit for every water heater replacement — no exceptions. We pull it, schedule the inspection, and close it out. You coordinate nothing. One thing worth flagging: if your current unit is already failing, this is also a reasonable moment to consider a heat pump water heater or tankless system. Energy Trust of Oregon offers instant rebates on qualifying heat pump units, and PGE customers may qualify for additional incentives. It's not the main story here, but if you're replacing anyway, the numbers can make sense. We'll give you both prices so you can decide without pressure. Older Portland homes in neighborhoods like Ladd's Addition, Irvington, and Eastmoreland sometimes have non-standard configurations from previous work — recirculation pumps, in-line filters, or oddly routed venting. We check for those during the estimate so there are no surprises mid-job.