Do I Need a Permit to Replace Windows in Colorado?
Find out when you need a permit to replace windows. Like-for-like vs. resized openings, energy code requirements, and inspection tips.
Usually no — but yes if you change the size of the opening.
Colorado-specific rules
Colorado has no statewide building code — under home rule, cities and counties adopt and amend their own I-Code editions (confirm your jurisdiction's). The one statewide floor is energy: HB22-1362 (2022) requires any municipality or county that adopts or updates a building code between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2026 to meet an energy performance floor of the 2021 IECC plus the state's electric-ready, EV-ready, and solar-ready provisions; from July 1, 2026 the floor shifts to the state's Model Low Energy and Carbon Code.
Sources: Colorado HB22-1362 (2022) — statewide energy code floor
When You Don't Need a Permit
Like-for-like window replacements — where the new window fits the exact same rough opening — typically do not require a building permit. This covers most standard window replacements where you are upgrading the glass, frame material, or energy efficiency without altering the wall structure.
When You Do Need a Permit
A permit is required when you change the size of a window opening (larger or smaller), add a new window where one didn't exist, convert a window to a door or vice versa, or install egress windows for basement bedrooms. These changes involve structural modifications (headers, jack studs) that must be inspected.
Energy Code Requirements
Replacement windows generally must meet the locally adopted energy code — most jurisdictions follow the IECC. Check the NFRC label on any window before purchasing and confirm your local edition's window U-factor requirement. This applies even when no permit is required — it's a code requirement.
Egress Windows
If you're adding a bedroom in a basement, most jurisdictions require an egress window with a minimum 5.7 sq ft net clear opening and a sill no higher than 44 inches above the floor (the IRC standard). Window wells deeper than 44 inches need a permanently attached ladder or steps. This always requires a permit.
Swapping windows in the same opening? No permit needed. Changing the opening size or adding egress windows? Get a permit.
Permit fees by city in Colorado
Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.
| City | Permit fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Akron | Not a fixed figure — calculated based on construction cost (valuation-based), due at time of application submissionVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Alamosa | $24Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Arvada | $34.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Aspen | Computed via the City's Building Permit Fee Estimator (Excel) referencing the current Municipal Code Fee Ordinance (Title 2)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family/Duplex/Townhouse) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family/Duplex/Townhouse) → |
| Ault | $23.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Aurora | $1.30 per square footVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Avon | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Structure) → |
| Basalt | $21.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family/Duplex/Townhome) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family/Duplex/Townhome) → |
| Bennett | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Berthoud | Per the 2024 IRC Appendix AB valuation-based fee tableVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Blue River | $50.00Verifiedvia Building Permit — New Construction (Type A Permit) | Building Permit — New Construction (Type A Permit) → |
| Boulder | $25.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Bow Mar | $56Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Breckenridge | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Brighton | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Broomfield | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family House) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family House) → |
| Burlington | $25Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition) → |
| Calhan | TBD based on project — per the Town of Calhan's own official Fee Schedule (Updated 11/10/25), the 'Building Permit' line item's CURRENT value is stated verbatim as 'TBD based on project'; the printed Building Permit Application form separately has no new-construction line item and directs applicants to contact the Town office for a project-specific determinationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Cañon City | 1.0% of valuation (City of Cañon City Permit Fee Multiplier)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction) → |
| Castle Pines | $42.00Verifiedvia New Residential Building Permit | New Residential Building Permit → |
| Castle Rock | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Centennial | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Center | $0.10 per sq. ft. of floor space to be constructed, $50.00 minimumVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Cheyenne Wells | $25.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit | Residential Building Permit → |
| City of Fountain | $80.00 for the first $2,000 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereofVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family/Duplex Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family/Duplex Construction) → |
| Colorado Springs | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Columbine Valley | $7,600 for the first $1,000,000 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, plus inspection feesVerifiedvia Building Permit with Plan Review (New Construction) | Building Permit with Plan Review (New Construction) → |
| Commerce City | $30.41Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / RNEW) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / RNEW) → |
| Conejos County (Unincorporated) | $24Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Cortez | $75.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Craig | $100.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Crested Butte | $28.42Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Cripple Creek | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Dacono | Computed by the Building Official using the ICC Building Safety Journal's Building Valuation Data (BVD), updated bi-annually each August and FebruaryVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Delta | $23.50 for valuation $1.00–$500.00; $23.50 + $3.05 per additional $100 (or fraction) up to $2,000; $69.25 + $14.00 per additional $1,000 (or fraction) up to $25,000; $391.25 + $10.10 per additional $1,000 up to $100,000 (note: fee schedule text repeats this bracket ceiling for the $25,000.01–$50,000 tier); $643.75 + $7.00 per additional $1,000 for $50,000.01–$100,000; $993.75 + $5.60 per additional $1,000 for $100,000.01–$500,000; $3,233.75 + $4.75 per additional $1,000 for $500,000.01–$1,000,000; $5,608.75 + $3.15 per additional $1,000 above $1,000,000Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Denver | $20.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Dillon | $50.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction / Foundation, Framing, Finish) | Building Permit (New Construction / Foundation, Framing, Finish) → |
| Durango | $24.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence or Duplex) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence or Duplex) → |
| Eagle | $39.40Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Eaton | Per Appendix L, 2018 IRC valuation table (as referenced in the Town's current Fee Schedule)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel / Repair / Basement Finish) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel / Repair / Basement Finish) → |
| Edgewater | $35.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Erie | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Custom Home / Modular Home) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Custom Home / Modular Home) → |
| Estes Park | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Evans | $75.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Primary Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Primary Structure) → |
| Federal Heights | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Firestone | $80Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Florence | $75.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fort Collins | $0.65 per square foot of project areaVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fort Lupton | $24.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fort Morgan | $27.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence / New House) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Residence / New House) → |
| Frederick | $35.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Frisco | $65.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Fruita | $35.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Garden City | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Structures Over 120 sq ft) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions / Structures Over 120 sq ft) → |
| Gilcrest | $23.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Glenwood Springs | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, 4 or Fewer Units) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, 4 or Fewer Units) → |
| Golden | $25.85Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Grand Junction | $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Greeley | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Gypsum | Not published in any fetchable Town document as of this reviewVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Haxtun | $10.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Holyoke | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Hudson | $35.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Johnstown | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Any New Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Any New Structure) → |
| Julesburg | Not published; determined by Town Hall at time of application per a fee schedule adopted by Town Board resolution (not publicly posted online)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Keenesburg | $33.80Verifiedvia New Residential Home Building Permit | New Residential Home Building Permit → |
| Kersey | Set by SAFEbuilt per the Uniform Building Code (UBC) valuation-based fee schedule (not a flat Town-published table)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) → |
| La Junta | Calculated from Total Valuation (Materials $ + Labor $) stated on the application; fees payable to the City of La Junta at time of permit issuanceVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| La Salle | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lafayette | $30.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Two-Family / Multi-Family / Townhome) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family / Two-Family / Multi-Family / Townhome) → |
| Lakewood | $26.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lamar | $33.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Larkspur | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction — Single Family Residential Attached/Detached) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction — Single Family Residential Attached/Detached) → |
| Littleton | $25.85Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family, Townhouse, Two-Family Dwelling) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family, Townhouse, Two-Family Dwelling) → |
| Lochbuie | $33.80Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lone Tree | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Longmont | $27.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Louisville | $28.00 (except as provided in Sec. 15.04.060.14(e) LMC for residential permits)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Loveland | Based on the current ICC Building Valuation Data (square-foot construction cost by occupancy group/construction type) applied to project square footage; e.g., R-3 (one- and two-family, Type VB) valuation is $175.92/sq ft effective March 15, 2026Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Lyons | $135Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mead | $44.56Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Milliken | $160.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Any New Structure) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Any New Structure) → |
| Montrose | Not resolved — the City's codified Sec. 3-1-1 Fee Schedule PDF (previously hosted at a 2025-effective DocumentCenter link) returns HTTP 404 as of this review, and no Wayback Machine snapshot of that URL exists (checked directly via the CDX API). The Municode-hosted Regulations Manual chapter containing this fee schedule is rendered client-side via JavaScript and did not yield fee-table text through a direct browser-header fetch in this session.Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Morrison | Per the adopted code (2015 IBC valuation-based fee table)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mount Crested Butte | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mountain View | $40.00 for total valuation $1.00-$500.00; $40.00 for the first $500.00 plus $2.00 per additional $100.00 (or fraction) from $501.00-$2,000.00; $70.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $14.00 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $2,001.00-$25,000.00; $391.25 for the first $25,000.00 plus $10.10 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $25,001.00-$50,000.00; $643.75 for the first $50,000.00 plus $7.00 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $50,001.00-$100,000.00; $993.75 for the first $100,000.00 plus $5.60 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $100,001.00-$500,000.00; $3,233.75 for the first $500,000.00 plus $4.75 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) from $500,001.00-$1,000,000.00; $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $3.65 per additional $1,000.00 (or fraction) above $1,000,000.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Mountain Village | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Nederland | $250.00 non-refundableVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Northglenn | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Nunn | $75.00 flat Admin Fee (permits requiring plan review), plus 2% Use Tax on all Building PermitsVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Palisade | $10.00 flat feeVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) — Town Planning Clearance + Mesa County Building Permit | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) — Town Planning Clearance + Mesa County Building Permit → |
| Parker | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Pierce | UBC fee schedule + $30 or 30% (whichever is greater)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Platteville | $50.00 zoning-compliance surcharge (residential applications only) is a confirmed flat figure; the underlying valuation-based base fee itself is not a Town-published number — verified-negative: it follows Chapter 18's adopted 2024 IBC fee schedule by reference, not a separately republished Town dollar tableVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Poncha Springs | 20% of the Chaffee County building permit fee, minimum $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family, ADU, Additions) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family, ADU, Additions) → |
| Pueblo | $73.93 per square foot (valuation basis, Table A)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Rifle | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Saguache | $20.00Verifiedvia Building Permit | Building Permit → |
| Salida | 20% of the Chaffee County building permit fee, minimum $50.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family, ADU, Additions) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Single-Family, ADU, Additions) → |
| Sedgwick | $30.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Roof/Siding, Foundation, Relocation) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Roof/Siding, Foundation, Relocation) → |
| Severance | Valuation-based, determined by SAFEbuilt ColoradoVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Silver Cliff | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Silverthorne | $65.00Verifiedvia New Residential Construction Building Permit (SFR Attached and Detached) | New Residential Construction Building Permit (SFR Attached and Detached) → |
| Springfield | $50.00 flatVerifiedvia Building Permit | Building Permit → |
| Steamboat Springs | $21.15Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Sterling | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Superior | $28.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) → |
| Telluride | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Thornton | $30.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Timnath | Not published onlineVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Town of Carbondale | $27.50Verifiedvia New Single-Family Dwelling, Duplex, or Townhouse Building Permit | New Single-Family Dwelling, Duplex, or Townhouse Building Permit → |
| Trinidad | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Pueblo County | $73.93 per square foot (valuation basis)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Unincorporated Teller County | See city page for the current Single Family Dwelling (SFD) / New Residential Building Permit fee | Single Family Dwelling (SFD) / New Residential Building Permit → |
| Unincorporated Washington County | $100.00 flat, for all buildings except Use by Special Review (commercial-use) buildingsVerifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel, Accessory Structures) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel, Accessory Structures) → |
| Vail | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Victor | $23.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Single-Family Construction) → |
| Walsh | $15.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (Structures, Carports, Fences, and Other Construction) | Building Permit (Structures, Carports, Fences, and Other Construction) → |
| Wellington | $25 flatVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Westcliffe | $100.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Westminster | $19.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Wheat Ridge | $26.50Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Windsor | Equal to SAFEbuilt's own valuation-based feeVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Winter Park | $54.00Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction) → |
| Yuma | $100.00Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Repair) | Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, Repair) → |