Window permits in Long Beach: what the city requires

Last verified: November 11, 2026 · Written and checked by the DuloCore research team

A Long Beach window permit is required for replacement windows: the city lists “installation of replacement windows” among projects that need a permit (City of Long Beach; accessed Nov 11, 2026). This page covers the route the city offers; for prices, start with the cost estimator on the home page.

Who issues it

The Building and Safety Bureau of the Community Development Department, 411 W. Ocean Boulevard, 2nd Floor, 562.570.PMIT (7648) (IB-058; accessed Nov 11, 2026).

The Express Permit: same size, same style, same spot

The Express Permit skips plan review for simple jobs; window replacement is first on its list (IB-058, rev. July 9, 2025; accessed Nov 11, 2026). The qualifying description is to “replace existing window(s) with the same size, opening type, and location”. Insert (retrofit) and full-frame jobs can both qualify if size, operating style and location stay the same. Enlarging an opening, adding one or changing the operating style means over-the-counter or regular plan review instead.

Three situations never qualify for an Express Permit, per IB-058: a property in the Coastal Zone, a property in a historic district, and a qualified historical building. Plan for review time there; see the historic districts page.

How to apply

Express Permits are issued at the Permit Center and “in some cases, online” (Express Permits; accessed Nov 11, 2026). The city’s online permit page lists window replacements under its forms for registered contractors with a city PIN; the owner-builder online categories it lists (solar, water heaters, panels, reroofs, minor remodels) do not include windows (Online Permits; accessed Nov 11, 2026). Owner-builders should expect to use the Permit Center; the form is APP-011 (APP-011; accessed Nov 11, 2026).

Energy rules for the glass (Title 24)

IB-058 and APP-011 print the energy limits for replacement windows. If the replaced window area is more than 75 sq ft, the maximum U-factor is 0.30 and the maximum solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) is 0.23. If it is 75 sq ft or less, the limits are U-factor 0.40 and SHGC 0.35 (IB-058; accessed Nov 11, 2026). Both numbers appear on a rated window’s NFRC label.

One caution: IB-058 cites the 2022 California Energy Code, while the California Energy Commission says permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 Energy Code (CEC; accessed Nov 11, 2026). Confirm the current limits with the Permit Center when you apply.

Your climate zone. The Energy Commission’s ZIP code list places most Long Beach ZIP codes in Climate Zone 6, and 90805, 90807 and 90808 in Climate Zone 8 (CEC ZIP list; accessed Nov 11, 2026). Where a ZIP code straddles a boundary, the Commission’s address lookup tool gives the exact answer (CEC climate zone tool; accessed Nov 11, 2026).

Bedroom windows and emergency escape

Sleeping rooms need an emergency escape opening: at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening (5 sq ft at grade floor), at least 24 inches high and 20 inches wide, with the sill no more than 44 inches above the floor. Replacement windows get an exception: they need not meet those sizes if they are the manufacturer’s largest standard size that fits the existing frame or rough opening and are the same operating style, or one with an equal or larger opening (IB-006, rev. Sept 19, 2024; accessed Nov 11, 2026).

Fees

Fees depend on the project. The city’s fee page suggests about 2% of building costs and calls any calculated figure an approximation; current schedules took effect October 1, 2026 (Fee Schedules; accessed Nov 11, 2026).

The installer checklist covers who pulls the permit.