Window Replacement in Albuquerque, New Mexico

In Albuquerque, the city's building code requires a permit before a building is "altered, repaired... improved" or otherwise changed, and replacing windows is not on its list of work exempt from a building permit (2024 Uniform Administrative Code, Section 109) ¹. Permits come from the Building Safety Division of the Planning Department, through its ABQ-PLAN portal or at the permit counter (Building Safety permits) ². Under the same code, a permit is issued only to a contractor holding a license from New Mexico's Construction Industries Division, with narrow homeowner exceptions (Uniform Administrative Code, Section 111) ¹.

Two more things shape an Albuquerque window job. In the city's Historic Protection Overlay zones, the city requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for "all exterior alterations, including porches, roofs, and windows" (Historic Protection Overlay Zones) ⁴. And Bernalillo County sits in ENERGY STAR's North-Central climate zone, where the criteria balance winter heat loss against summer sun ⁷⁸.

Do you need a permit to replace windows in Albuquerque?

The city's 2024 Uniform Administrative Code sets the rule. Section 109.1 says no building "shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished" without a permit, "except as specified in Section 109.2" (Uniform Administrative Code) ¹. The Section 109.2.1 list of work that needs no building permit includes painting and similar finish work, exterior fences and walls up to six feet, and window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches; window replacement is not on it (Uniform Administrative Code) ¹.

One exemption deserves a closer look: "Repairs, as defined herein, less than $1000.00 in valuation" (Uniform Administrative Code) ¹. The code defines repair as "the patching, restoration, or renewal of materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures for the sole purpose" of keeping them in sound working condition ¹. Whether fixing a sash or a broken pane counts as a repair under that definition is a question for the Building Safety Division; a full window replacement is a different kind of job. The article on window replacement permits explains why cities draw this line differently.

How to apply, and who applies

The Building Safety Division says contractors with a license, or homeowners, must request permits for the work that will be performed, and that it is the responsibility of the homeowner or contractor to have all required permits before work starts (Building Safety permits) ². You can apply, upload plans, pay and track a permit online through ABQ-PLAN, or in person with a permit technician; the division lists Building Permits and Plan Review at 505-924-3320 (Building Safety permits) ².

The code is stricter than "anyone may apply." Section 111.1 says a permit will be issued only to an individual or company holding a contractor license from the Construction Industries Division of the State of New Mexico, unless exempt under state law (Uniform Administrative Code, Section 111) ¹. Its homeowner exceptions cover a permit to build a single-family house or garage for the owner's own use, and electrical or plumbing permits after a written exam ¹. The division's page adds that for all homes leased or rented to others, a contractor with a license is required to obtain the permit (Building Safety permits) ². If you own a rental, or plan to do the work yourself, ask the division which permit applies before you buy windows.

Questions for every quote:

• Who pulls the permit, and is its cost in the price?
• Does the job change any opening size, for example for a bedroom egress window? The article on egress window requirements covers the rules.
• If your neighborhood has a homeowners association, has it approved the plan? The city says plans should be approved by the association before you apply and that it does not enforce HOA rules ².

Who may do the work

Contractor licensing in New Mexico is a state matter: the Regulation and Licensing Department's Construction Industries Division lists "licensing contractors and enforcing licensing laws" among its duties (Construction Industries Division) ¹¹. The department's license verification page sends readers to a search run by PSI to verify a license with the division (Verify a License) ¹². The New Mexico state page explains which classifications cover window work and how to use the lookup. Ask each installer for the license number and check it yourself.

Historic zones and landmarks

Albuquerque has Historic Protection Overlay zones, among them Old Town, Huning Highland, Fourth Ward, Silver Hill, Eighth and Forrester, East End Addition and East Downtown (Historic Protection Overlay Zones) ⁴. In these zones, the city says, "in most instances property owners must receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City before they begin work" (Historic Protection Overlay Zones) ⁴. The list of work needing one names windows directly, and the maintenance exemption "does not include replacing roofing, windows, doors, etc." ⁴.

There are two levels of review ⁴:

• Minor: decided by Historic Preservation staff, for work that does not need a building permit, fences and other smaller alterations, with approval "in a few days or not longer than 10 working days."
• Major: a public hearing before the Landmarks Commission, for major alterations, new construction and demolition of a property listed as Contributing or Significant.

Start with a pre-application consultation with Historic Preservation staff, who help decide which level applies ⁴. The seven-member Landmarks Commission decides Certificates of Appropriateness and meets on the second Wednesday of the month (Landmarks Commission) ⁵. Each zone has its own adopted guidelines, such as the Old Town Historic Zone Guidelines (2022) (Historic Standards and Guidelines) ⁶. Read your zone's guidelines before choosing a window, and see the article on historic home window replacement.

Codes in force

The Building Safety Division lists the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code, the 2021 New Mexico Existing Building Code and the 2021 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code among the codes it uses, with the city's Uniform Administrative Code on top (Current Building Codes) ³. The list also includes the 2021 New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code and Historic Earthen Buildings Code, which may matter for adobe houses ³.

Climate and glass

ENERGY STAR's county list places Bernalillo County in its North-Central climate zone (ENERGY STAR climate zone finder) ⁸. There, a window qualifies with a U-factor of 0.25 or less and a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.40 or less, and every ENERGY STAR window must also meet an air leakage limit of 0.3 cubic feet per minute per square foot (ENERGY STAR criteria) ⁷. Neighboring Sandoval County, which includes Rio Rancho, is in the Northern zone, with a stricter U-factor ⁷⁸.

Albuquerque's weather explains the balance. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Albuquerque International Airport show an average summer (June to August) high of 90.1°F and about 64 days a year reaching 90°F or more, against about 93 nights a year at 32°F or colder (NOAA normals, Albuquerque) ⁹. Normal annual precipitation is only 8.84 inches ⁹. So the glass has two jobs: hold heat in through cold winter nights and keep out hot summer sun, especially on west-facing walls.

Questions to put to each quote:

• What are the NFRC-rated U-factor and SHGC of the exact unit quoted, and do they meet the North-Central criteria?
• Is the low-E coating the same on every side of the house?
• How will the installer seal the frame against dust and air leaks, especially in stucco walls? The article on retrofit windows in stucco and brick covers the options.

The energy-efficient windows explainer and the article on low-E glass go deeper.

What window replacement costs

This article does not quote an Albuquerque price, because the cost surveys it relies on report national figures. As a national reference, Fixr reports an average of about $800 per window, typically $450 to $1,200 (updated January 21, 2026) (Fixr) ¹⁰. The window replacement cost guide sets several national surveys side by side and explains why they differ.

Getting quotes in Albuquerque

Get at least two or three written quotes that name the brand and series, the glass package, full-frame or insert installation, disposal, and who pulls the permit. The guide on how to choose a window installer and the article on how to compare window quotes show how to line them up. When you are ready, you can compare quotes from window installers in the Albuquerque area.

About these figures

• ¹ Official record: 2024 City of Albuquerque Uniform Administrative Code (Section 109.1 permits required; Section 109.2.1 building permit exemptions, including window awnings up to 54 inches, fences and walls up to six feet and repairs under $1,000; definition of repair; Section 111.1 permits only to holders of a CID contractor license, with homeowner exceptions), checked October 27, 2026.
• ² Official record: Building Safety Division permits page (contractors with a license or homeowners request permits, ABQ-PLAN, 505-924-3320, rentals need a contractor with a license to obtain the permit, HOA note), checked October 27, 2026.
• ³ Official record: Building Safety Division current building codes list (2021 New Mexico residential, existing building, residential energy and earthen codes; Uniform Administrative Code), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁴ Official record: Historic Protection Overlay Zones page (zones, Certificate of Appropriateness for windows, minor review within 10 working days, major review at a hearing, pre-application consultation), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁵ Official record: Landmarks Commission page (seven members, Certificates of Appropriateness, hearings on the second Wednesday), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁶ Official record: Historic Standards and Guidelines page (zone guidelines, including Old Town 2022), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁷ Official record: ENERGY STAR residential window criteria (North-Central U-factor 0.25 and SHGC 0.40; air leakage 0.3 cfm per square foot), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁸ Official record: ENERGY STAR county climate zone list (Bernalillo County North-Central; Sandoval County Northern), checked October 27, 2026.
• ⁹ Official record: NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Albuquerque International Airport (summer average high 90.1°F, about 64 days at 90°F or more, about 93 days at 32°F or below, 8.84 inches of precipitation), checked October 27, 2026.
• ¹⁰ Reported: Fixr national window replacement cost (about $800 per window, typically $450 to $1,200; updated January 21, 2026), checked October 27, 2026.
• ¹¹ Official record: New Mexico Construction Industries Division main page (licensing contractors and enforcing licensing laws), checked October 27, 2026.
• ¹² Official record: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Verify a License page (Construction Industries Division licenses verified through the PSI search), checked October 27, 2026.