In most northwest suburbs, yes. In Schaumburg, replacing a furnace, air conditioner or water heater requires a permit, but it's a quick Express Permit with no plan review, a $50 fee and a final inspection. Other villages have their own forms, fees and contractor rules, so check with your village before work starts.
How Schaumburg's Express Permit works
The Village of Schaumburg lists air conditioners, furnaces and water heaters as work that requires a permit. Because these are simple replacements, they go through the Express Permit process instead of full plan review:
- Apply online with the Residential Express Permit application in the village's OpenGov permit portal.
- Intake review: a permit clerk checks the application for completeness, in the order received.
- Pay and print: after payment, the permit card shows up in your OpenGov dashboard. Post it where the inspector can see it.
- Inspection: request it at least 24 hours ahead in the portal, or call Permit Services at 847-923-4420 before 4 p.m. the business day before.
| Equipment | Fee | Inspection | Extra requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace | $50 | Final | Installed to the manufacturer's specifications |
| Air conditioner | $50 | Final | None listed |
| Water heater | $50 | Rough and final plumbing | Copy of the plumbing license and a letter of intent from the licensed plumber |
These details come from the village's Express Permits page as of October 2026. Check it for changes before you apply.
Who pulls the permit?
Usually the contractor does it as part of the job. Palatine, for example, says most contractors pull the permits needed and advises homeowners to spell it out in the contract. Schaumburg lists homeowners among possible permit applicants, but water heater permits still need a licensed plumber's paperwork.
Before you sign, ask: "Is the permit included in this price, and who schedules the inspection?" The inspection is an independent check that the equipment was installed to the manufacturer's instructions and code, which matters for gas piping, venting and wiring.
Other villages handle it differently
Rules, fees and contractor requirements vary by town. A few examples from village websites:
- Arlington Heights has separate residential permit packets for furnace, AC and water heater replacement, and permits for emergency repair work must be submitted within 24 hours after work begins.
- Palatine lists replacing or installing an air conditioner, heating unit or water heater among projects that need a permit.
- Streamwood requires furnaces and AC units to be installed by a contractor licensed with the village.
- Hanover Park requires contractors to be registered and bonded with the village, and asks for a signed estimate plus the new equipment's installation manual and spec sheets.
- Elgin handles water heaters and heating and air conditioning work as quick permits.
- Mount Prospect requires a permit for central air conditioning but not for a window unit.
Our service area pages list each town's permit office with a link to its website.
Moving the outdoor AC unit adds paperwork
Swapping equipment in the same spot is the simplest case. Moving the condenser can bring in zoning rules. Hanover Park, Roselle and Streamwood all ask for a plat of survey (or, in Hanover Park, an aerial photo) showing where the AC unit will sit. Arlington Heights uses its new-unit packet, not the replacement packet, when the location changes. Keep a copy of your plat of survey from closing handy.
Why it's worth doing
A permit costs little compared with the equipment, and it creates a record that the work was inspected. Unpermitted equipment can raise questions later, for example when you sell the home. Most of all, the inspection is a second set of eyes on the gas, venting and electrical work.
When to call a pro
Yogi Heating & Cooling is based in Schaumburg and serves 14 northwest suburbs. When you get a replacement quote, ask that permit handling be spelled out in writing so there are no surprises. Call (814) 431-1709 or book a visit. Illinois has no statewide HVAC license, but some villages register or license contractors, so it's worth checking your village's requirements.
More questions
How much is a furnace permit in Schaumburg?
The village lists $50 for a residential furnace through the Express Permit process as of October 2026. AC and water heater permits are also $50 each.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Schaumburg?
Yes. It needs a copy of the plumbing license, a letter of intent from the licensed plumber, and rough and final plumbing inspections.
Do I need a permit for a window air conditioner?
Generally no. Mount Prospect, for example, says no permit is required for a window unit, while central air needs one.
Can a homeowner pull the permit?
Some villages allow it. Schaumburg lists homeowners among possible applicants, but trade work like water heaters still needs a licensed plumber's documents.
Related
- Furnace and heating repair
- AC repair and installation
- Service areas/schaumburg
- ComEd and Nicor Gas rebates for furnaces, AC and heat pumps
Sources
- Village of Schaumburg: Express Permits
- Village of Schaumburg: Permit Services Q&A
- Village of Arlington Heights: Permits, Licenses & Checklists
- Village of Palatine: When a Building Permit is Required
- Village of Streamwood: Furnace and A/C replacement permit guidance
- Village of Hanover Park: Furnace and A/C units permit handout
- City of Elgin: Common Residential Permits
- Village of Roselle: Central Air permit handout
- Village of Mount Prospect: HVAC permit supplement