Window Replacement in Baltimore, Maryland

In Baltimore City, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) treats replacement as permit work: it says you need a permit if you are replacing or significantly altering anything on a property, and that minor repairs usually don't need one "unless the item is completely replaced or significantly changed" (DHCD building permits) ¹. Window replacement does not appear on the city's list of work exempt from permit (Work Exempt From Permit) ².

Two more things shape a Baltimore window job. DHCD lists construction work on 1- and 2-family dwellings as work that requires a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) contractor (DHCD building permits) ¹. And in the city's local historic districts, the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) reviews all exterior changes, windows included, under design guidelines that favor repair over replacement (CHAP FAQ) ⁵⁶.

Does window replacement need a permit in Baltimore?

Yes, on DHCD's reading. Its permits page says a permit is needed for "constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, rehabilitating, demolishing" or moving any structure, and that "renovations, modifications, and reconstructions always need a permit" (DHCD building permits) ¹. The city's exempt-work sheet, which cites the 2024 Building, Fire, and Related Codes of Baltimore City and the 2021 International Residential Code, says that "in general alterations require a permit, but ordinary repairs, which are in fact maintenance activities, generally do not." Its list for 1- and 2-family dwellings names items such as interior painting, replacing roof shingles and boarding exterior openings with plywood, but no window replacement (Work Exempt From Permit) ².

DHCD's permit guide sorts residential alterations by size of change (permit information by category) ³:

• Same size, same place. "Alterations that replace elements of the same size and in the same location" are minor interior and exterior alterations, applied for as a One and Two Family Combo Permit ³.
• New or larger elements. Adding a new element or expanding an existing one uses the same permit type but calls for drawings; structural alterations need floor plans and construction details ³. If the installer plans to resize an opening, ask DHCD which category the job falls under.

Why permit answers differ between cities is covered in do you need a permit to replace windows.

How to apply, fees and inspections

Permits are processed online through the city's E-Permits system, where you create an account, apply, pay and schedule inspections; DHCD also takes applications at a kiosk at 417 E Fayette St (DHCD building permits) ¹. To add a contractor to an application, you need the contractor's registered name and license number from the permits database, and contractors must register their license in E-Permits ¹.

On cost, DHCD says building permit fees are set by the Baltimore City Building Code, § 109, and depend on the type of building and the kind and amount of work. It publishes a fee estimator that adds the permit fees, the application fee, any plan review fee and a 5% Building Code permit tax, and it notes that the estimator leaves out fees charged by other agencies, such as CHAP ¹. All permits require inspections, scheduled through E-Permits ¹.

Who may do the work in Baltimore

Under "Do I need a contractor?", DHCD lists construction work on 1- and 2-family dwellings as requiring an MHIC contractor, and electrical, mechanical, gas and plumbing work as requiring a contractor who holds a license for that work (DHCD building permits) ¹. The state rules behind that license, including what a Maryland home improvement contract must show, are on the Maryland page.

Before you sign, ask: is the installer licensed by MHIC? The Commission's Home Improvement Public Query searches active licensees by contractor name, trade name, city, ZIP code, salesperson or license number ⁸. Check that the number on the quote matches the business name ⁸. The guide to choosing a window installer covers references, contracts and warranties.

CHAP historic districts and window rules

CHAP says it has designated 38 neighborhoods as local historic districts and more than 200 properties as landmarks (CHAP) ⁷. Its FAQ says CHAP "reviews all exterior changes to buildings within a local historic district," including work not visible from the street, and that a property owner files an Application for Authorization to Proceed with CHAP as part of the building permit process (CHAP FAQ) ⁵. DHCD adds that such a permit "will not be issued over the counter": it is referred to CHAP, and you need a Notice to Proceed before it is issued. Some minor work that would not otherwise need a permit needs one in a CHAP district (DHCD special referrals) ⁴.

Minor work that meets the guidelines can be approved by staff, and CHAP says that with a complete application an Authorization to Proceed can often be issued within 48 hours; major work goes to a public hearing of the full Commission ⁵. CHAP puts the extra cost of the Authorization to Proceed at $0 to $50 ⁵.

What the design guidelines say about windows

Section 1.7 of the Baltimore City Historic Preservation Design Guidelines is specific (CHAP design guidelines) ⁶:

• Repair first. "Historic windows should not be replaced unless they are deteriorated beyond repair." Replacement may be considered for lead-based paint hazards on accessible, friction or impact surfaces ⁶.
• When replacement applies. The replacement guidelines apply when the Commission finds a historic window deteriorated beyond repair, a lead-based paint hazard, not contributing to the building's character, or in an opening that was later filled in ⁶.
• What a replacement must match. Size, type, configuration, form, detail and overall appearance; it must fit the original opening, without reducing its size or changing its shape. Matching the historic material is always appropriate, and an alternative material "may be considered" if it replicates the size, glazing, operation, finish, exterior profiles and arrangement ⁶.
• Glass and grilles. Insulated glass and clear low-E coatings may generally be used. Simulated divided lights may be allowed with matching profiles and an interior spacer bar; snap-on muntins, removable grilles and grilles between the glass are generally not acceptable ⁶.
• Storms and trim. Storm windows and screens may be installed with low-profile frames painted or tinted to match, and historic frames, sills and trim should not be wrapped in metal or vinyl ⁶.

The guidelines list weather-stripping as routine window maintenance and allow low-profile storm windows ⁶. On lead paint, they say applicants must follow the Maryland Department of the Environment's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and all federal, state and local laws on its safe removal (CHAP design guidelines) ⁶. See also lead-safe window replacement and historic home window replacement.

Climate and glass for Baltimore

ENERGY STAR places Baltimore City in its North-Central climate zone; of the 48 ZIP codes its list files under Baltimore, 45 are in Baltimore City and the other three, in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, are North-Central too (climate zone finder) ¹⁰. A North-Central window qualifies with a U-factor of 0.25 or less and an SHGC of 0.40 or less, and every ENERGY STAR window meets an air leakage limit of 0.3 cubic feet per minute per square foot (ENERGY STAR criteria) ⁹.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Baltimore-Washington International Airport, south of the city, show a winter (December to February) average high of 45.7°F and low of 27.3°F, about 93 nights a year at 32°F or below, 19.3 inches of snow, and a summer (June to August) high of 86.6°F (NOAA climate normals) ¹¹. Heating degree days, about 4,484, outnumber cooling degree days, about 1,322, so heat loss is the larger concern ¹¹. The U-factor explainer covers the rating; ask for the NFRC label values of the exact unit quoted.

What it costs

This article does not give a Baltimore price, because none of the sources above publishes one for the city. As a national reference, Fixr reports that window replacement averages about $800 per window, typically $450 to $1,200, a national figure (updated January 21, 2026) ¹². Add the city permit fees from DHCD's estimator and, in a CHAP district, the Authorization to Proceed fee ¹⁵. The window replacement cost guide sets several national surveys side by side.

Getting quotes

Get written quotes that name the window, its NFRC ratings, who files the E-Permits application, and the company's MHIC license number. In a CHAP district, ask whether the window quoted meets section 1.7.3 and who prepares the Authorization to Proceed. The article on how to compare window quotes shows what to line up. When you are ready, you can compare quotes from window installers.

About these figures

• ¹ Official record: DHCD building permits page (what needs a permit, E-Permits, kiosk at 417 E Fayette St, MHIC contractor for 1- and 2-family dwellings, fees under Building Code § 109, the 5% permit tax, inspections), checked October 27, 2026.
• ² Official record: DHCD Work Exempt From Permit list (2024 BFRCBC, 2021 IRC; no window replacement on the list), checked October 27, 2026.
• ³ Official record: DHCD permit information by category (same-size alterations versus new or expanded elements), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁴ Official record: DHCD special referrals (CHAP referral, Notice to Proceed, extra permits in CHAP districts), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁵ Official record: CHAP FAQ (review of all exterior changes, Authorization to Proceed, staff review often within 48 hours, $0 to $50 cost), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁶ Official record: CHAP Historic Preservation Design Guidelines, section 1.7 Windows, checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁷ Official record: CHAP home page (38 local historic districts, more than 200 landmarks), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁸ Official record: MHIC Home Improvement Public Query, checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁹ Official record: ENERGY STAR residential window criteria table, North-Central U-factor 0.25, SHGC 0.40, air leakage 0.3, checked October 27, 2026.
• ¹⁰ Official record: ENERGY STAR county climate zone list (45 of 48 Baltimore ZIP codes in Baltimore City, all North-Central), checked October 27, 2026.
• ¹¹ Official record: NOAA 1991-2020 normals for BWI Airport, USW00093721 (winter high 45.7°F and low 27.3°F, about 93 nights at 32°F or below, 19.3 inches of snow, summer high 86.6°F, about 4,484 heating and 1,322 cooling degree days), checked October 27, 2026.
• ¹² Reported: Fixr national per-window cost, about $800, typically $450 to $1,200 (updated January 21, 2026), checked October 27, 2026.