Cities that permit a same-size replacement, with their counts
Rules from each city's own page, read 22 October 2026. Counts are window and door permits in the city's file over three years to September 2026 (Cape Coral's starts January 2025); "usual days" is the typical time from issue to final.
| City | The rule | Window permits | Usual days to final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral, FL | "Windows/Doors/Shutters" is on the city's map of common permits, with a replacement guideline | 4,787 | 44 |
| San Francisco, CA | "Replacement windows (same size and same location)" get an over-the-counter permit with no plans | 4,050 | 159 |
| Saint Paul, MN | Not named; a permit is needed to "alter" or "repair" a house, and minor alterations over $500 unless normal maintenance | 3,977 | 147 |
| Sacramento County, CA | "As of January 1st, 2010 a permit is required to replace windows", including retrofit and cut-in | 1,589 | 71 |
| Elk Grove, CA | Not on the exempt list | 818 | 57 |
| Anaheim, CA | "Window and door change-outs" (2014 handout); new panes in existing frames are exempt | 334 | 89 |
| Palo Alto, CA | "A permit is required for window replacement NO EXCEPTIONS" (2015 handout) | 216 | 81 |
| Columbus, OH | "Replace windows": permit, no plan review | 19,187 roofing, siding and window permits combined | — |
Cities that exempt a same-size swap
| City | No permit when… | Permit when… |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, WA | "No permit is required for replacements of the same size in the same location" | Installing or moving a window: "a permit with plan review" |
| Cary, NC | "replace windows and doors in existing openings" | "new windows and skylights in new or modified openings" |
| Colorado Springs, CO (Pikes Peak Regional) | "Replacement of any doors, windows, or fixed glazing, unless the rough opening dimensions are modified" | The rough opening changes |
| San Diego, CA | "if the wall and rough opening remain unchanged" (houses only; multifamily needs a permit) | Opening or wall changes |
| Naperville, IL | Same size and style | "Window/door replacement that alters the size or style" |
Our permit files for these five cities do not split windows out, so we show no counts. Note that "exempt" still means the new windows must meet code: Pikes Peak Regional says emergency escape and safety glazing rules still apply.
What happens if you skip it
- Palo Alto: work started before the permit carries "an additional penalty fee equal to the amount of the permit fee".
- Seattle: fines of "up to $500 per day" for building without a permit.
A window job done without a required permit leaves no inspection on record. See permit vs no permit for what that means at sale.
Who pulls it
The window company or contractor. Saint Paul issues permits only to the homesteader of a one- or two-family house or to a contractor licensed by the City; a state licence does not replace the City one. Check the installer's permit record on our compare page before you sign.
How long it takes
The usual window permit closed in 44 days in Cape Coral and 57 in Elk Grove, against 159 in San Francisco and 147 in Saint Paul. Finish rates differ: 96.8% of Cape Coral's window permits a year or more old reached a final, 63.4% of Saint Paul's. For prices on permitted jobs, see window replacement cost.
Check it in five minutes
- On your city's exempt list, look for "windows" and the words "same size" or "rough opening".
- If the installer is changing the size, a permit is needed everywhere; ask who pulls it.
- After the job, find the permit and its final on the city portal (how).
See every Cape Coral window and door installer by permits →
What this does not tell you
We read 13 departments' rules; the Anaheim and Palo Alto handouts are from 2014 and 2015. Our counts combine windows and doors, and Columbus files windows with roofing and siding. HOAs and historic districts can review window changes separately.
How we know this
Rules are quoted from the pages under Sources, read 22 October 2026. Permit counts, usual days to final, firm counts and finished shares come from each city's permit file over the three years ending September 2026 (Cape Coral: January 2025 to September 2026). "Usual days" is the median from issue to final inspection; "reached a final" counts permits a year or more old.
Numbers come from City of Cape Coral building permits (the city's open permit table starts January 2025); San Francisco DBI building permits on one- and two-family homes, with the contractor from the city's permit contacts file; City of Saint Paul building and trade permits (the City's old approved-permits file up to June 2025, and the City's PAULIE permit system since September 2025), with the contractor named on each permit; Sacramento County building permits on single-family, duplex and townhouse homes in the unincorporated county (the County's Accela permit layer); City of Elk Grove TRAKiT building permits on single-family, duplex, mobile-home and ADU homes; City of Anaheim Accela building permits on single-family homes and ADUs; City of Palo Alto Development Center building permits on single-family, duplex and ADU homes; City of Columbus Building & Zoning Services permits on 1-, 2- and 3-family homes (the city's Accela permit layer), data through October 17, 2026. Nobody paid to be on this page and nobody can.
Questions
- Do I need a permit to replace windows with the same size?
It depends on the city. Sacramento County says 'As of January 1st, 2010 a permit is required to replace windows', and Palo Alto's handout says 'NO EXCEPTIONS'. Bellevue, Cary, San Diego and Pikes Peak Regional (Colorado Springs) exempt a same-size replacement as long as the rough opening does not change.
- Do I need a permit to make a window bigger or add a new one?
Yes, in every city we read. Changing the opening means cutting framing in an exterior wall: Bellevue requires 'a permit with plan review' for 'installing or moving an exterior door, skylight or window', and Columbus requires a permit and plan review to 'Create a new window opening'.
- Do I need a permit to replace a broken pane of glass?
Generally not. Anaheim exempts 'The replacement of panes of glass within existing frames or supports' unless tempered safety glass is required in that spot.
- How long does a window permit take?
The usual window permit reached its final inspection in 44 days in Cape Coral, 57 in Elk Grove and 71 in Sacramento County. San Francisco issues same-size replacements over the counter without plans.
- Who pulls a window permit?
The window installer or contractor, usually. In Saint Paul a permit can go only to the homesteader of a one- or two-family house or to a contractor licensed by the City. In Cape Coral 433 firms filed 4,787 window and door permits.
Build your own list
Every firm with that kind of permit on record. Pick what you value. The list moves.
Related guides
- Do I need a permit? 13 common home projects, checked against city rules and permit files
- Do I need a permit to replace my furnace or AC? The rule in 14 cities, and how many get filed
- Do I need a permit to replace my roof? It splits: the rule in 16 cities, and how many get filed
- Window replacement cost in 2026: what window permits were filed at in 16 cities
For one city
- Frequently Asked Questions — Sacramento County Building Permits and Inspection (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Work Exempt from Permit (rev. 05/20/2015) — City of Palo Alto, CA (accessed 2026-10-22)
- When is a Building Permit Required (form B804, Sept 2014) — City of Anaheim, CA (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Projects eligible for an Over-the-Counter (OTC) permit — San Francisco DBI (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Do I need a building permit? — City of Elk Grove, CA (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Map of Common Permits — City of Cape Coral, FL (accessed 2026-10-22)
- When is a permit required? — City of Saint Paul DSI (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Typical Residential Projects (BA 3/26) — City of Columbus, OH (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Work requiring permits — City of Bellevue, WA (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Residential Permits FAQ — Town of Cary, NC (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Permit Not Required — Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (accessed 2026-10-22)
- When is a Permit Required? — City of San Diego Development Services (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Guide to Building Permits (rev. 10/31/2022) — City of Naperville, IL (accessed 2026-10-22)
- Construction Without a Permit — Seattle SDCI (accessed 2026-10-22)