REPLACE WINDOW(S)

General

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Electronic Permit System (e-Permit system) allows for the issuance of a building permit to replace window(s) with the same size, opening type, and location as the existing window(s). If changes in size (smaller or larger), opening type, or location are desired, a plan check conducted at the public counter of a LADBS Construction Services Center is required. Structural calculations prepared by a civil engineer, structural engineer, or architect licensed by the State of California are required for structures over 1 story or if the size of the new window(s) significantly exceed that of the existing window(s). Two sets of the following indelible plans are required for plan check:

  1. A floor plan drawn to a scale of 1/4 inch to 1 foot showing the existing use of each room and the size and type of each existing window in the room.
  2. A floor plan drawn to a scale of 1/4 inch to 1 foot showing the proposed use of each room and the size and type of each proposed window in the room.
  3. Complete structural plans and calculations signed by an engineer or architect if required as noted above.

Sliding windows shall be equipped with locking devices and shall be provided with a device in the upper channel of the moving panel to prohibit raising and removing of the moving panel in the closed or partially open position. For residential buildings located within a municipal airport noise boundary as designated by the "Community Noise Equivalent Level" (CNEL) data element, all replacement window(s) must comply with the standards noted below based on the noise contour boundary value that the building is located in.

Natural Lighting Requirements

All habitable rooms (i.e. rooms for living, sleeping, eating or cooking) shall be provided with natural light by means of exterior glazed openings with an area not less than 1/10 of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum of 10 square feet.

Natural Ventilation Requirements

All habitable rooms shall be provided with natural ventilation by means of openable exterior openings with an area not less than 1/20 of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum of 5 square feet. Bathrooms, water closet compartments and similar rooms shall be provided with natural ventilation by means of openable exterior openings with an area not less than 1/20 of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum of 1-1/2 square feet.

Emergency Egress/Escape Requirements

Every sleeping room shall have at least one operable window or an exterior door approved for emergency escape. The emergency escape window or door shall be operable from the inside to provide a full, clear opening without the use of separate tools. The emergency escape window or door shall have a minimum net clear openable area of 5.7 square feet with a minimum net clear height of 24 inches and a minimum net clear width of 20 inches. The sill height of emergency escape windows shall not be more than 44 inches above the interior floor.

Community Noise Equivalent Level(CNEL) Requirements

Per Section 1208A.8.5 of the City of Los Angeles Building Code, residential buildings located within a municipal airport noise boundary shall comply with prescriptive standards established by the Los Angeles County Building Code Manual (LACBCM) for mitigation of interior noise levels due to the airport. There are three municipal airport noise boundaries designated by the "Community Noise Equivalent Level" (CNEL) data element with the values, "65 dB < 70 dB", "70 dB < 75 dB" and "75 dB +". For residential buildings located in a CNEL noise boundary, all replacement window(s) must comply with the standards summarized in the table below. Click on each "CNEL Noise Boundary" hyperlink to review the complete text of the prescriptive standards.

CNEL Noise Boundary Prescriptive Standards Established by LACBCM for Mitigation of Interior Noise Levels When Window(s) Are Replaced
65 dB < 70 dB
  1. Openable windows shall have a minimum Sound Transmission Control (STC) rating of 35dB.
  2. Fixed windows shall be glazed with minimum of 1/4-inch glass and be set in non-hardening glazing materials.
70 dB < 75 dB
  1. Openable windows shall have a minimum STC rating of 40dB and shall have an air infiltration rate of no more than 0.5 cubic feet per minute according to ASTM E-283.
  2. Fixed windows shall be shall have a minimum STC rating of 40dB and be set in non-hardening glazing materials.
  3. The joint between the wall opening and windows shall be continuously filled with glass fiber insulation and the exterior cover trim shall be continuously caulked to seal the joint.
75 dB +
  1. Openable windows within stucco or masonry walls shall have a minimum STC rating of 40dB and shall have an air infiltration rate of no more than 0.5 cubic feet per minute according to ASTM E-283.
  2. Openable windows within wood siding or lightweight exterior cladding walls shall have a minimum STC rating of 44dB and shall have an air infiltration rate of no more than 0.5 cubic feet per minute according to ASTM E-283.
  3. Fixed windows shall be shall have a minimum STC rating of 44dB and be set in non-hardening glazing materials.
  4. The joint between the wall opening and windows shall be continuously filled with glass fiber insulation and the exterior cover trim shall be continuously caulked to seal the joint.

Inspection Requirements

In most cases, only one inspection is required after the new window(s) are installed. For window replacement permits issued using the LADBS e-Permit system, the inspector will provide the required inspection signature card at the first (or only) inspection. To reach your inspector to verify inspection requirements for your project, call the LADBS Customer Call Center at 311) for calls originating inside of Los Angeles County. For calls originating outside of Los Angeles County, call (213) 482-0000.

Inspection Requests

You can schedule an inspection by using our Automated Inspection Request System (AIRS) which is available anytime (except between 2am and 3am) or by contacting our Customer Call Center (CCC) during our regular business hours (7am to 5pm). Both are available dial 311 for calls originating inside of Los Angeles County. For calls originating outside of Los Angeles County, call (213) 482-0000. To reach AIRS select option 1, to reach CCC select option 2. When calling for an inspection you will need to know the permit number, the site address, the date and type of inspection needed, and the name and phone number of the person to receive a confirmation call on the morning of the inspection. Inspections are available for the next business day until 3pm on the previous business day using AIRS and until 2pm on the previous business day using CCC. An AIRS Sequence Chart is helpful when scheduling an inspection request using AIRS.

After the new window(s) are installed, use the "335 - Final" AIRS inspection code. When using AIRS to schedule an inspection request, it is recommended that you write down your inspection request confirmation number for future reference. This confirmation number can be obtained by pressing the "1" key in step 10 as shown on the AIRS Sequence Chart.