Window Replacement in Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale is the exception in the metro. Replacing a window here is permit work, and the permit cannot be pulled online: the city sends you to its one-stop shop in person. Reglazing an existing frame stays exempt, so the line falls between the pane and the unit. Suburbs a few miles away exempt the whole job, which is why a contractor's answer about permits is only right for the city it was given in.

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Superior Replacement Windows

Window Replacement
·
Scottsdale
  • Window Replacement
  • Glass Company
  • New Windows
  • Replacement Windows
  • +1 more
5.0
(5 reviews)

Glass yes, window no

Scottsdale's home improvement guidance lists "Adding or replacing windows. (except for replacing the glass in an existing frame)" as requiring a permit, and adds: "This permit is not available online, please come to the one-stop shop." The city's exempt list covers "non-structural items such as glass in doors or windows, interior doors, hardware, kitchen cabinets, carpeting, flooring or trim work".

So the line falls between the pane and the unit. Reglazing an existing frame sits on the exempt side. Pulling the frame and fitting a new window doesn't, even like-for-like, even in the same opening. Cities a few miles away exempt exactly that job.

Codes and overlays

Scottsdale runs the 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC, effective 7 January 2023, with the rest of the 2021 family and the 2020 NEC from 1 January 2023. Its 2021 residential amendments, adopted by Resolution 12499, leave R105.2 alone, so no local window exemption was written.

Property in a Historic Property or Environmentally Sensitive Lands zoning district picks up a separate Planning approval on top of the building permit.

Questions to ask before a Scottsdale window job

Scottsdale is a permit city, so the first questions are about the permit rather than the glass.

  • Are you pulling the permit, and have you allowed for the in-person trip to the one-stop shop?
  • Am I replacing the whole unit, or only the glass in the existing frame?
  • Is my property in a Historic Property or Environmentally Sensitive Lands district, which adds a Planning approval?
  • Does the specification meet the 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC that Scottsdale runs?
  • What is your ROC license number and classification?
  • Who schedules the inspection, and does final payment wait until it passes?

Common questions

Do I need a permit to replace windows in Scottsdale?

Yes. The city's home improvement guidance lists adding or replacing windows as permit work, with one exception: replacing the glass in an existing frame. Neighboring cities exempt the whole job, so a rule quoted from another suburb does not apply here.

Can I get the permit online?

No. Scottsdale states that this permit is not available online and directs applicants to come to the one-stop shop in person.

What does Scottsdale exempt?

Non-structural items. Its exempt list gives glass in doors or windows, interior doors, hardware, kitchen cabinets, carpeting, flooring and trim work. Reglazing sits on the exempt side. Pulling the frame does not, even like-for-like in the same opening.

Which codes does Scottsdale run?

The 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC, effective 7 January 2023, with the rest of the 2021 family and the 2020 NEC from 1 January 2023. The city's 2021 residential amendments, adopted by Resolution 12499, leave R105.2 alone, so no local window exemption was written.

Does a historic or environmentally sensitive district change anything?

Yes. Property in a Historic Property or Environmentally Sensitive Lands zoning district picks up a separate Planning approval on top of the building permit.