Do I Need a Permit to Replace Windows in Washington?

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.

In Washington

WASHINGTON HAS ONE STATE BUILDING CODE IN FORCE EVERYWHERE, ADOPTED BY REFERENCE: "Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, there shall be in effect in all counties and cities the state building code which shall consist of the following model codes which are hereby adopted by reference:" IN ALL COUNTIES AND CITIES - the model codes named in that section are the code, without any act by your city. AND YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAY CHANGE IT, BUT ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION: "The governing bodies of counties and cities may amend the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council as they apply within their respective jurisdictions, but the amendments shall not result in a code that is less than the minimum performance standards and objectives contained in the state building code except as provided in subsection (2) of this section." NOT LESS THAN THE MINIMUM. So a local amendment may add to the state code and may not fall below it. That is the opposite arrangement from states that cap local rules at the model code, and it means a stricter local requirement in Washington is normal rather than suspect. FOR A HOUSE THERE IS A SECOND GATE, AND IT IS THE PART MOST READERS WOULD NEVER GUESS: "Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no amendment to a code enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council that affects single-family or multifamily residential buildings shall be effective unless the amendment is approved by the building code council under RCW 19.27.074 (1)(b)." SHALL BE EFFECTIVE ONLY IF APPROVED BY THE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL. A local amendment touching single-family or multifamily residential buildings is not merely constrained - it does not take effect at all until a state council approves it. If you are told a local residential rule differs from the state code, that approval is the thing to ask about. ON WINDOWS THE EXEMPTION USUALLY TURNS ON ONE CONDITION MOST OWNERS DO NOT EXPECT. Shoreline exempts replacement windows from permit by adding IRC Section R105.2(12): "Replacement of windows where there are no structural elements being revised and emergency escape and rescue openings are not reduced in size." TWO CONDITIONS, AND THE SECOND IS THE TRAP. Fitting a modern frame into an old rough opening commonly shrinks the clear openable area, and a bedroom window that stops meeting the emergency escape and rescue dimensions takes the job straight back into permit territory - and into a code requirement, not merely a paperwork one. Measure the CLEAR OPENING of the new unit, not the rough opening, before assuming a like-for-like swap is exempt.

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 Washington

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.

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Permit fees by city in Washington
	Permit fee	Source
Bonney Lake	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Des Moines	Set by the City Manager or designeeVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Edmonds	Set by council resolution; not in codeVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)	Residential Building Permit (New Construction) →
Issaquah	$33.26 minimum, tiered by valuationVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)	Residential Building Permit (New Construction) →
Kenmore	Set by adopted fee scheduleVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Lake Stevens	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)	Residential Building Permit (New Construction) →
Longview	Set in the master fee scheduleVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)	Residential Building Permit (New Construction) →
Lynnwood	Set by city council fee ordinanceVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)	Residential Building Permit (New Construction) →
Maple Valley	Set by Development Fee ScheduleVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Mercer Island	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Moses Lake	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Mountlake Terrace	Set by annually adopted fee scheduleVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Pullman	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Puyallup	Set by city manager executive orderVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)	Residential Building Permit (New Construction) →
Sammamish	See city page for the current Residential Building Permit fee	Residential Building Permit →
SeaTac	Set by City of SeaTac Fee ScheduleVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Tumwater	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
University Place	Set by city council fee resolutionVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)	Residential Building Permit (New Construction) →
Walla Walla	From $30.00, tiered by valuationVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Wenatchee	Not published in code; ask the cityVerifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction)	Residential Building Permit (New Construction) →

See the national overview for this permit →