Are Permits Required for Replacing House Windows?
Feb 28, 2023
Many types of home improvements require permitting from the local government where the home is located. This is a safety measure intended to ensure that residential upgrades meet all applicable building codes. But what about replacement windows? Do you need a permit to replace your home’s windows?
As you can imagine, the rules governing permitting can vary according to jurisdiction. In the Kansas City metro area, for example, there are many cities, towns, and unincorporated communities. Homeowners living inside city limits must abide by their municipality’s building permit regulations. Those living in unincorporated Johnson, Jackson, or Wyandotte County must meet the permitting rules in those jurisdictions.
The Rule of Thumb for Window Replacement
Generally, if your new windows will precisely fit the openings in your home, you might not need a government-issued permit. However, if installing your replacement windows requires any enlargement of the window opening—even just a few inches—your project will likely need a permit and follow-up inspection from your local building department.
What’s more, for the many homeowners who live in deed-restricted communities, a window replacement project of any kind typically requires homeowners association approval. The HOA approval process is distinct from government permitting. HOAs are usually concerned with ensuring that exterior home upgrades maintain the community’s curb appeal standards. So your HOA board will probably consider your proposed windows’ exterior frame color and material as well as their window style (such as double-hung, casement, sliding, or bay) before approving your window replacement project—factors that are unlikely to affect the issuance of a government permit.
Who’s Required to Get a Window Replacement Permit?
Technically, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to get any permits and HOA approvals required for their home remodeling project. This is true even for homeowners who hire contractors to perform their window replacement projects. It’s important to ask any window installer you’re considering hiring whether a permit is required for your specific project and whether you or the contractor will obtain it.
In many cases, you may be told that procuring the appropriate permit will be part of the contractor’s services. If you’re working with a licensed and well-established exterior remodeling contractor like Johnson County Siding & Window Co., you can feel confident that any permits required will be obtained before the job begins. However, if you have any doubts, you’ll want to check with your local building department to find out whether a window replacement permit is required. If so, you’ll want to ask your contractor for a copy of the permit when it’s time for your new window installation.
Choose a Credentialed Replacement Window Installer
Whether your window replacement project requires a permit or not, you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your exterior remodeling contractor will flawlessly install your new windows so they will look and perform as intended. The best way to ensure this result is to entrust your project to a window installation contractor that’s not only highly experienced but also certified to install the windows you select.
If you’re in the Kansas City metro area—whether you’re in Kansas or Missouri—you can trust the experts at Johnson County Siding & Window Co. to handle your window replacement project with aplomb from start to finish. We offer and install some of the industry’s most beautiful and energy-efficient windows, including selections from Andersen®, Marvin®, and ProVia®. No matter which replacement windows are right for your home, you can feel confident that we’ll meticulously install them according to the manufacturer’s specifications because we’ve gone the extra mile to earn certifications from our manufacturer partners.
Moreover, thanks to our more than 40 years of home window installation experience in the Kansas City region, you can depend on us to get any city or county permits you need and help you consider your HOA requirements—if any—during your free window selection consultation with us. Contact Johnson County Siding & Window Co. today if you’d like more information.
