Hiring Contractors
Plumbers and Sewer Lines for Denver Rentals: Licensing and Costs
By Denver Rental Managers · Updated October 27, 2026 · 7 min read
Summary
Plumbers working on a Denver rental need a Colorado plumbing license and Denver registration, and Colorado's owner-do-it-yourself exemption doesn't cover homes occupied by tenants. Replacing a water heater needs a permit (usually a same-day Quick Permit), and sewer line repairs need a city sewer permit and a licensed plumbing or sewer contractor. In Denver, a water heater typically costs $1,092–$2,261 installed, and sewer line replacement runs $50–$250 per foot.
Key takeaways
- Plumbers need a Colorado license and Denver registration. Verify on DORA and Denver's contractor search.
- Owners can't use Colorado's plumbing DIY exemption on a tenant-occupied home, but anyone can swap sinks, faucets, toilets and similar fixtures.
- Water heater replacement needs a Denver permit; like-for-like swaps usually qualify for a Quick Permit.
- The private sewer line from the house to the city main is the owner's responsibility.
- A sewer camera inspection costs about $150–$600 for most Denver homes and is cheap insurance on older properties.
General information for Denver-area rental owners, not legal advice. Rules and prices checked October 27, 2026. Cost ranges are published estimates, not quotes.
Licensing
Colorado's State Plumbing Board licenses plumbers, and Denver requires plumbing contractors to register with the city and show a state contractor card and master plumber ID. Check both:
Colorado lets owners do plumbing on a home they live in, but that exemption doesn't apply to rental property occupied by tenants. Anyone, licensed or not, can repair or replace sinks, faucets, drains, showers, tubs, toilets, disposals and dishwashers.
What needs a permit in Denver
- Water heater replacement. Needs a permit. Like-for-like swaps in single-family homes and duplexes usually qualify for a same-day Quick Permit online.
- Sewer line repair or replacement. Needs a Residential Sewer Use and Drainage Permit plus a sewer inspection permit before work starts, and a licensed plumbing or sewer contractor must do the work.
- New plumbing or relocated fixtures. Needs a permit.
- Like-for-like sinks, toilets and disposals in one- and two-family homes don't need a permit.
Water heaters
| Type | Typical Denver installed cost |
|---|---|
| Most replacements | $1,092–$2,261 (average $1,661) |
| Tank water heater | $750–$3,125 |
| Gas water heater | $875–$3,375 |
| Hybrid heat pump water heater | $1,500–$4,375 |
| Tankless | $2,000–$8,000 |
Plumbers in Denver charge about $55–$250 an hour. Source: Angi's Denver cost guides.
Colorado offers a $250 state tax credit for heat pump water heaters installed by a registered contractor, with at least $83 passed to you as a discount. See our HVAC guide for rebates.
Rentals tip: no hot water is a habitability problem under Colorado law. Know your water heater's age (it's on the label) and plan replacement before it fails in January.
Sewer lines
In Denver, the city maintains the public sewer mains. The private building sewer, the line from your house to the main, is the property owner's responsibility. Many Denver homes have old clay sewer lines that tree roots crack and clog.
| Job | Typical Denver cost |
|---|---|
| Camera inspection, under 50 feet | $150–$300 |
| Camera inspection, 50–100 feet | $300–$600 |
| Replacement, per linear foot | $50–$250 |
| Trenchless lining (CIPP), per foot | $80–$250 |
| Pipe bursting, per foot | $60–$220 |
| Permits and inspections | budget $400–$1,000 |
Source: Angi's 2026 Denver cost guides.
When to scope: before you buy a rental, before the first tenant moves in, and any time you see slow drains in multiple fixtures. A sewage backup is a life, health or safety condition, so you'd have 24 hours to start repairs.
Choosing a plumber
- Verify the state license and Denver registration.
- Ask whether they'll pull the permit (they should).
- For sewer work, get the camera video and a written explanation of what they saw.
- Get a second opinion before a full sewer replacement. Spot repairs or lining may be enough.
- Ask about after-hours rates. Emergency calls cost more, and rentals have emergencies.
How to get help
Good property managers have licensed plumbers who respond quickly and know older Denver homes. Ask how they handle after-hours plumbing emergencies and what they can approve without you. We'll match you with up to three vetted, licensed managers. Free, no obligation. Get matched free.
Sources
- C.R.S. 12-155-118: Plumbing license exemptions
- Colorado DORA: Check a license
- City and County of Denver: Contractor license search
- City and County of Denver: Quick permits
- 2025 Denver Building Code (Sections 120–131: licensing and permits)
- City and County of Denver: Residential sewer use and drainage permit requirements
- City and County of Denver: Wastewater management FAQ
- Angi: Water heater installation (Denver cost guide)
- Angi: Tankless water heater (Denver cost guide)
- Angi: Sewer camera inspection (Denver cost guide)
- Angi: Sewer line replacement (Denver cost guide)
- Colorado Energy Office: Heat pump tax credit
This guide is general information for Colorado landlords, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm current requirements with the Colorado Division of Real Estate or a licensed attorney before acting.
