Window Change OutsCity of Cypress
Community Development: Building & Safety Division
5275 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630
714-229-6730
WINDOW AND DOOR
REPLACEMENTS
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
All window and exterior door replacements require a building permit. A simple floor and plot plan is
required for review and permit issuance. Show existing windows and replacement window sizes and
type. Replacement windows shall be exempt from maximum sill height requirements if the replace-
ment window is the manufacturers largest standard size window that will fit within the existing frame or
rough opening and same operating style. CRC 310.2.5
MINIMUM WINDOW REQUIREMENTS
• All rooms used for sleeping purposes shall have one complying Escape/Rescue window meeting
ALL the following minimum requirements. CRC 310.2:
- Net clear openable space of 5.7 sq ft (5.0 sq ft min at grade floor openings)
- Net clear openable height of 24 inches
- Net clear openable width of 20 inches
- Maximum finished sill height of 44 inches
• All habitable rooms shall have windows with their total areas equaling at least 8% or a minimum
of the room’s floor area and with their total openable area equaling at least 4% of the room’s floor area
CRC 303.1.
• All new windows and window replacements must meet the following minimum energy require-
ments:
- U-factor – 0.30 Max
- SHGC – 0.23 Max
• NFRC Labels are required to remain on windows for verification by the building inspector.
• Maintain or replace weather resistive barriers. Inspection is required to verify compliance.
• Bay windows and similar assemblies require the manufacturer’s listed (UL, ICC, or equiv.) instal-
lation instructions for permit issuance.
• Safety glazing or tempered glass is required in hazardous locations per CRC 308.4:
- Glazing in fixed, swinging, sliding & bifold doors.
- Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel adjacent to a door where the bottom edge of the
glazing is less than 60” above the floor surface and meets either condition:
- Glazing is within 24” of either side of door.
- Glazing is on a wall less than 180 degrees from the plane of the door & within 24” of the hinge
side of an in-swinging door.
- Glazing in an individual fixed or operable window panel that meets all of the following:
- Windows larger than 9 SF.
- Bottom edge less than 18” above floor.
- Top edge is more than 36” above floor.
Casement Single/Double Hung Slider
44” Maximum
Sill Height Above
Finished Floor
Finished Floor
*Exception: 5.0 SQ. FT. allowed if located at grade.
20” Minimum Clear
20”
Minimum
Clear
*5.7 SQ. FT.
Minimum
Openable
Area
*5.7 SQ. FT.
Minimum
Openable
Area
*5.7 SQ. FT.
Minimum
Openable
Area
24”
Minimum
• “Identification. each pane of glazing installed in hazardous location as defined in Section CRC
308.4 shall be provided with a manufacturer’s designation that is visible in the final installation. The
designation shall be acid etched, sandblasted, ceramic-fired, laser etched, embossed, or be of a type
which once applied cannot be removed without being destroyed CRC 308.1.
• All exterior doors require an exterior light switched from inside CEC 210.70(A)(1).
• Additional requirements when changing a window to a sliding door are CRC 311.3:
- A landing is required. A minimum of 3 ft out and at least the door width.
- A door may swing over a landing that is level with interior.
- Exterior lighting required. A switch and weather-proof light with photocell and motion sensor is
required outside each outdoor entrance or exit CEC 210.70(A)(1).
Moving the electrical wiring and adding lighting will require an electrical permit.
INSPECTIONS:
• Framing and window flashing
• Stucco lath repair
• Rough electrical, if moving outlet or adding a switch and outside light prior to covering with insula-
tion and/or drywall.
• Final inspection
NOTE:
Using both the minimum sizes for width and height will not obtain the required minimum area (5.7 sq ft;
5.0 sq ft at grade).