Chandler publishes a closed list of work that does not need a permit, and windows are not on it. The omission looks deliberate rather than accidental, because the city wrote a like-for-like exemption for mechanical equipment and roof coverings and did not extend it to glass, glazing, sash or doors. That is still an absence rather than a stated rule, and Chandler's plan reviewer is the person who can settle it for a specific job.
Anthem Apache Junction Avondale Carefree Cave Creek Fountain Hills Gilbert Glendale Laveen Maricopa Mesa Paradise Valley Peoria Phoenix Queen Creek Scottsdale Surprise Tempe
Chandler's homeowners manual sets out ten items under "a building permit is not required for the following", covering accessory structures, fences, retaining walls, water tanks, sidewalks and driveways, finish work, prefabricated pools, playground equipment, window awnings, and like-for-like replacement of water heaters, softeners, furnaces, pool and spa heating equipment, evaporative coolers, water treatment systems, circuit breakers and roof coverings.
Chandler wrote a like-for-like exemption for mechanical equipment and roofs and didn't extend it to windows. Ordinance 5108's amendments to the 2024 codes add items for roof coverings and equipment and none for glass, glazing, sash or doors.
No Chandler document says in words that window replacement requires a permit. The absence from a closed list is strong, but it's an absence, and a directory shouldn't convert that into a quoted rule. Ordinance 5108 also gives the Building Official discretion over "special cases as allowed by the Building Official for work of a similar nature and complexity."
Chandler's Plan Reviewer of the Day is on 480-782-3078 and can settle it for a specific job. The city moved to the 2024 code editions for plans submitted on or after 1 July 2025.
Chandler's list is closed, so the safe assumption runs the other way here from most of the metro.
Not on the published list. The homeowners manual sets out ten items under a building permit is not required for the following, and windows are not among them. No Chandler document says in words that window replacement requires a permit, so this is an absence from a closed list rather than a quoted rule.
Accessory structures, fences, retaining walls, water tanks, sidewalks and driveways, finish work, prefabricated pools, playground equipment, window awnings, and like-for-like replacement of water heaters, softeners, furnaces, pool and spa heating equipment, evaporative coolers, water treatment systems, circuit breakers and roof coverings.
Because Chandler wrote a like-for-like exemption for mechanical equipment and roofs and did not extend it to windows. Ordinance 5108's amendments to the 2024 codes add items for roof coverings and equipment, and none for glass, glazing, sash or doors.
Chandler's Plan Reviewer of the Day, on 480-782-3078. Ordinance 5108 also gives the Building Official discretion over special cases for work of a similar nature and complexity, so a specific job can be decided on its facts.
The 2024 editions, for plans submitted on or after 1 July 2025.