In most California jurisdictions, like-for-like window replacement does not require a permit — but there are key exceptions that catch homeowners off guard every year.
The California Building Code (CBC) Section 105.2 lists work that is generally exempt from permit requirements, and a straight replacement of an existing window with a new window of the same size and type falls into that category in the large majority of cities and counties. You are not changing the structure, not altering the opening, and not adding anything new to the building envelope. The work is treated as routine maintenance.
The second scenario — the one that does require a permit — covers anything that changes the rough opening, the wall framing, the structural configuration around the window, or the use of the space. Enlarging a window, cutting a new opening where none existed, converting a fixed window to an operable egress window for a bedroom, or working on a property in a designated historic district all cross the line from routine maintenance into alteration territory. At that point, a permit is required and the work must comply with California Title 24 energy code for your climate zone.
I am John, owner of Colfax Glass in Colfax, California. My shop has been replacing windows across the Sierra Foothills and the Northern California coast for over 25 years. The permit question comes up in almost every conversation I have with homeowners. The answer is usually reassuring, but the exceptions are real, and I have seen projects create problems at resale because someone skipped a required permit. This guide gives you a straight answer on when you need one, what it costs in our local counties, and how we handle it when a permit is part of the job.
When You DON'T Need a Permit
Most standard window replacement projects in California qualify for the permit exemption under CBC Section 105.2. The core condition is that the replacement must be like-for-like: same opening size, same window type, no structural changes to the surrounding wall framing.
A like-for-like replacement means you are removing the existing window and installing a new one into the same rough opening without modifying the framing, header, sill, or surrounding structure. The new window may have different frame material (vinyl instead of aluminum, for example), a different glass package (upgrading to Low-E argon fill), or improved hardware — none of those upgrades affect the permit exemption as long as the opening size stays the same.
The following conditions generally apply to permit-exempt window replacement in California. Verify with your local building department before starting any project, as individual jurisdictions can add requirements beyond the state baseline.
"Like-for-like" is the key phrase in California's permit exemption for window replacement. It means the same opening size with no changes to the rough framing — not necessarily the same brand, frame material, or glass package. Upgrading from aluminum single-pane to vinyl dual-pane Low-E in the same opening is still like-for-like for permit purposes. Cutting the opening two inches wider to fit a larger window is not.
- The replacement window fits the same rough opening as the window being removed — no framing modifications required
- The window type is the same or functionally equivalent (double-hung to double-hung, casement to casement, etc.)
- The work does not involve any structural alterations to the surrounding wall, header, or sill plate
- The property is not in a designated historic district with additional review requirements
- The window is not being converted to serve as an egress window in a sleeping room where one did not previously exist
- The property is not subject to an HOA with independent architectural review requirements that go beyond city or county code
When You DO Need a Permit in California
Certain types of window work fall clearly outside the like-for-like exemption and require a permit in California. The table below covers the most common scenarios we encounter across the Sierra Foothills and Northern California coast service area. When in doubt, a quick call to your local building department will give you a definitive answer for your specific address and jurisdiction.
| Scenario | Permit Required? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like same size replacement | No (in most jurisdictions) | Exempt under CBC Section 105.2 — routine maintenance with no structural change |
| Enlarging the window opening | Yes | Modifying the rough opening requires changes to wall framing and the structural header above the opening |
| Adding a new window where there wasn't one | Yes | Cutting a new opening in the wall is structural work and requires plan review and inspection |
| Changing window type (e.g., fixed to operable) | Sometimes | Required if the change affects egress compliance or involves structural modifications; verify locally |
| Historic district or HOA with special rules | Yes (permit and/or design review) | Local ordinances and CC&Rs may require approval even for like-for-like replacements in regulated areas |
| Converting window to egress window | Yes | Egress windows in sleeping rooms must meet minimum opening size requirements under CBC Section 1030; changes to the opening to achieve compliance require a permit |
Permit Requirements by County: Sierra Foothills
Building permit requirements are set at the local jurisdiction level in California. The state building code establishes the baseline, but cities and counties can add requirements on top of it. Here is what we typically see across the three counties that cover most of our Sierra Foothills service area. These are general summaries — always verify current requirements directly with your local building department before starting work.
**Placer County (Colfax, Auburn, Foresthill, Loomis, Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln)**
Placer County Building Services follows the standard CBC approach for like-for-like replacements: a permit is not required for a standard window swap with no change to the opening. However, homes in WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) fire hazard zones — which covers a significant portion of the unincorporated foothill communities above the valley floor — may have additional requirements under California Building Code Section 710A for ignition-resistant construction. Replacement windows in WUI zones may need to meet specific glazing and frame standards. If your property is in an unincorporated WUI area of Placer County, confirm WUI requirements before ordering windows. The City of Auburn and City of Roseville have their own building departments with similar but independently administered policies.
**El Dorado County (El Dorado Hills)**
El Dorado County Building Department also generally follows CBC Section 105.2 for like-for-like replacements. El Dorado Hills is a master-planned community with active HOA oversight in many neighborhoods, meaning architectural review through the HOA may be required even when the county does not require a building permit. If your home is in an HOA in El Dorado Hills, check your CC&Rs and contact the HOA architectural committee before replacing windows — frame color, style, and exterior appearance may all be regulated independently of county code.
**Nevada County (Grass Valley, Nevada City)**
Nevada County Building Department follows standard CBC exemptions for like-for-like replacement. Nevada City has a designated historic district covering much of the downtown and surrounding residential area. Properties within the Nevada City historic district are subject to the Historic Preservation Ordinance, which may require design review and approval even for like-for-like window replacement if the work affects the exterior appearance of the building. Wood windows or historically appropriate profiles may be required in some cases. Grass Valley has a smaller historic commercial district but fewer residential restrictions in comparison.
For all three counties, confirming with your local building department is always the right first step. Rules change, WUI boundaries are periodically updated, and your specific parcel may have conditions that a general summary cannot capture.
WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) fire hazard zones cover large portions of the unincorporated Sierra Foothills in Placer, Nevada, and El Dorado counties. If your property is in a designated WUI zone, replacement windows may need to meet California Building Code Section 710A ignition-resistance requirements regardless of whether a permit is otherwise required. Check your parcel's WUI designation through your county's GIS portal or building department before ordering windows.
What Happens If You Skip a Required Permit?
Skipping a permit that was actually required is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make in the window replacement process — usually because a contractor told them it was not necessary or because no one checked. The consequences range from inconvenient to seriously expensive depending on when the issue surfaces.
Consequences of skipping a required permit in California include: (1) Failed home inspection at resale — unpermitted work is a material fact that must be disclosed in California, and buyers routinely request correction or price reductions; (2) Stop-work orders if work is observed by a building inspector during a neighboring project or routine code inspection; (3) Retroactive permit and inspection fees, which are typically assessed at double or triple the standard fee when pulled after the fact; (4) Required tear-out and reinspection if the inspector cannot verify code compliance without seeing the rough opening; (5) Potential insurance claim complications if unpermitted structural work is connected to a later claim involving the affected area of the home. The cost of pulling a permit upfront is always lower than the cost of resolving unpermitted work after the fact.
How Much Do Window Permits Cost in California?
Permit fees in California are set locally and vary by jurisdiction and project scope. Most building departments calculate permit fees based on either the project valuation (a percentage of the estimated cost of the work) or a flat fee schedule for specific project types. Window permits in our service area are typically on the lower end of the permit fee spectrum because the scope of work is straightforward. The table below shows typical ranges as of early 2026. These are estimates — contact the relevant building department for current fee schedules before budgeting your project.
| Jurisdiction | Typical Permit Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Placer County (unincorporated) | $100 – $250 | Fee varies by project valuation; WUI zone projects may require additional plan review |
| City of Auburn | $85 – $200 | Flat fee schedule for window replacements; additional fee for inspections beyond the first |
| City of Roseville | $120 – $300 | Valuation-based fee; online permit portal available for standard replacement projects |
| Nevada County (unincorporated) | $100 – $225 | Standard valuation-based fee; historic district projects may require design review at additional cost |
| City of Grass Valley | $80 – $180 | Flat fee schedule for like-for-like replacements when a permit is required |
| Del Norte County (Crescent City area) | $75 – $175 | Lower fee scale than Sierra Foothills counties; coastal projects may require additional review for flood zone or coastal development |
How Colfax Glass Handles Permits for You
When I started Colfax Glass 25 years ago, I decided early on that permits were my responsibility to manage, not something I would hand off to the homeowner to figure out. That is still how we operate today.
For every project we quote, I assess whether a permit is required based on the scope of work, the property address, and the local jurisdiction. If we are doing a like-for-like retrofit and no permit is required, I tell you that clearly in writing. If the project scope requires a permit — because we are enlarging an opening, adding a window, or working on a property in a historic district — we pull the permit before work starts. The permit cost is included as a line item in your written quote so there are no surprises.
When a permit is required, here is what we handle on your behalf so the project moves smoothly and stays compliant:
I have seen projects where a previous contractor did the work without pulling a required permit and the homeowner did not find out until they listed the house for sale. The buyer's inspector flagged the unpermitted work, and the seller ended up paying to retroactively permit and re-inspect at double the normal fee — plus making repair corrections the inspector required. Pulling the permit correctly the first time costs less than cleaning it up later, and it is the only way to know the work actually meets code.
- Determine whether a permit is required for your specific project scope and jurisdiction before any work is ordered or scheduled
- Prepare and submit the permit application to the appropriate building department, including all required documentation such as window specifications and NFRC label data for Title 24 compliance
- Coordinate inspection scheduling with the building department so inspections happen at the right stage of the project without delaying installation
- Ensure the windows specified meet California Title 24 energy code requirements for your climate zone — critical for permit approval in Placer County Climate Zone 12 and Nevada County Climate Zone 16
- Provide the homeowner with the final permit card and inspection sign-off documentation for their records, which is important for resale disclosure and warranty purposes
- If an HOA architectural review is required in addition to a building permit, advise on the process and provide specifications or product documentation needed for HOA submission