Do I need a permit to replace windows or doors?

Short answer: Across the 25 US cities we checked, a window or door replacement always needs a permit in 7, needs none in 2, and depends on size, location or scope in 10; 6 are unverified. Your city's rule is what counts.

7 permit required
10 depends
2 no permit
6 unverified
1 fees verified

Same-size replacements are exempt in some cities; others require a permit for any window replacement, and enlarging an opening is structural work that needs one.

General pattern only, not a rule for any city. The table below is built from each city's official source.

City-by-city comparison

Window and door replacement permit rules by city
City	Answer	Key condition	Fee
Austin, TX	Depends on your project	Same-size door: no permit	Not verified
Boston, MA	Permit required	Contractor licensing	Not verified
Charlotte, NC	No permit required	Over $40,000: permit	Not verified
Chicago, IL	Depends on your project	In-kind, same opening: no permit	Not verified
Columbus, OH	Permit required	New opening: permit + plan review	Roof, siding, windows and doors permit: $140 (1 inspection).
Dallas, TX	Depends on your project	Storm windows: no permit	Not verified
Denver, CO	Unverified, confirm locally	We did not find an official Denver statement on whether replacing windows or doors needs a permit.	Not verified
El Paso, TX	Unverified, confirm locally	We did not find an official El Paso statement on window or door replacement permits.	Not verified
Fort Worth, TX	Permit required	Yes. Replacing doors or windows is covered by the Residential Remodel Construction Permit.	Not verified
Houston, TX	Permit required	Like-for-like: minor repair permit, no plan review	Not verified
Indianapolis, IN	Depends on your project	Listed contractor or owner-occupant	Not verified
Jacksonville, FL	Unverified, confirm locally	We did not find an official Jacksonville statement on window or door replacement permits.	Not verified
Las Vegas, NV	Unverified, confirm locally	The City guide requires a permit and plans to cut a new window or door opening, but we found no statement on s	Not verified
Los Angeles, CA	Permit required	Same size/type: express permit	Not verified
Nashville, TN	Depends on your project	Same opening: no permit	Not verified
New York City, NY	Depends on your project	Fire-rated windows: permit	Not verified
Oklahoma City, OK	Unverified, confirm locally	We did not find an official Oklahoma City statement on window or door replacement permits.	Not verified
Philadelphia, PA	No permit required	Historic Register: permit	Not verified
Phoenix, AZ	Depends on your project	In-kind replacement: no permit	Not verified
San Antonio, TX	Depends on your project	Broken glass only: no permit	Not verified
San Diego, CA	Depends on your project	Same openings, no envelope change: no permit	Not verified
San Francisco, CA	Permit required	In-kind: no plans	Not verified
San Jose, CA	Depends on your project	Framing/flashing/wall changes: permit	Not verified
Seattle, WA	Unverified, confirm locally	Seattle requires a permit for changes to the building envelope, but we found no specific statement on window o	Not verified
Washington, DC	Permit required	Storm windows/screens: no permit	Not verified

Other projects

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.