Egress Windows in Denver County (City and County of Denver)
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In Denver, adding or enlarging a window opening needs a permit from Community Planning & Development, and CPD lists egress windows as permitted work. Denver uses the 2025 Denver Building Code (2024 IRC), with egress rules in Section R319. We cut the opening, install the window and set the well in every Denver neighborhood. (CPD; 2025 Denver Building Code)
Need an egress window anywhere in Denver? We cut the foundation opening, install the window and well, and pull the permit from Denver Community Planning & Development (CPD), the one permit office for the whole City and County of Denver. Adding or enlarging a window opening needs a permit in Denver; same-size frame or glass replacement does not, unless the house is a landmark or in a historic district (CPD). Send us your address for a free quote.
Neighborhoods we serve
Denver is a consolidated city and county, so every neighborhood below is permitted by CPD. We install egress windows citywide, including:
- Park Hill, Congress Park, Capitol Hill, Washington Park, Highland (older housing stock; check historic-district status first; see below)
- Harvey Park, Montbello and the rest of Denver's neighborhoods
- Glendale is an enclave inside Denver but is its own Arapahoe County city with its own permit office. See Cherry Hills Village, Sheridan & Glendale.
Nearby: Englewood · Aurora · Lakewood · Wheat Ridge · Commerce City · Arapahoe County · Jefferson County · Adams County
Code edition
Denver adopted the 2025 Denver Building Code on June 13, 2025. It is based on the 2024 IRC (and other 2024 I-codes; the energy code is still the 2021 IECC) with Denver amendments, and it took effect December 31, 2025 (Denver code adoption). In the 2024 IRC, emergency escape openings are section R319 (R310 in the 2021 edition).
Denver's permit rule, in its own words
CPD's Residential Interior Remodel page says: "New window, egress window, and skylight installations require permits." It also lists "adding, resizing, or removing … windows … egress windows" as construction-permit work (CPD).
- How to apply: in e-permits, choose Development Services, then Apply for a Permit, then Building Log.
- What to upload: a scaled site plan with a north arrow, the size of new windows and headers, a floor plan with every room labeled, and building elevations. Sewer/drainage (SUDP) information is needed if the project touches those lines (same page).
Historic districts and landmarks: a step most suburbs don't have
If the house is an individual landmark or sits in a historic district, Landmark Preservation reviews the egress window before the building permit. You need a Landmark Certificate of Appropriateness filed in e-permits. See Denver's egress window design review page (Denver Landmark egress review). Denver links an interactive map to check district status (Landmark design review).
Permit fees
Valuation-based, using the higher of the submitted valuation or ICC building valuation data. Admin 138 fee policy. Fees and taxes are set by the jurisdiction; see the official Denver fees for current amounts.
Is Glendale part of Denver for permits?
No. Glendale is surrounded by Denver but is its own city in Arapahoe County with its own building department and permit rules.
Denver guides
Basement bedroom egress · Egress for home sales and inspections · Denver rental license egress · Permit checklist
Services
Egress windows · Window wells · Covers · Basement egress · Code guide · Permit guide · Cost guide
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for an egress window in Denver?
Yes, if you're adding a new window or enlarging an opening. Denver CPD says new window, egress window and skylight installations require permits. Replacing only a frame or glass in the same opening doesn't, unless the home is a landmark or in a historic district.
Who issues egress window permits in Denver?
Denver Community Planning & Development (CPD). Denver is a consolidated City and County, so there is no separate county building office. Apply in e-permits under Development Services, Apply for a Permit, Building Log.
What building code does Denver use for egress windows?
The 2025 Denver Building Code, based on the 2024 International Residential Code with Denver amendments. It took effect December 31, 2025. In the 2024 IRC, egress openings are covered in section R319.
What do I upload for a Denver egress window permit?
CPD asks for a scaled site plan with a north arrow, the size of the new windows and headers, a floor plan with every room labeled, and building elevations. Sewer and drainage information is needed only if the project touches those lines.
Can I add an egress window to a house in a Denver historic district?
Yes. Denver has a specific egress-window design review. If the home is a landmark or in a historic district, you get a Landmark Certificate of Appropriateness in e-permits before the building permit.
Does an existing basement window count as egress in Denver?
Sometimes. The 2025 Denver Residential Code adds item 3 to R319.5: an existing operable window can serve if it gives at least 4 sq ft net clear, 22 in. high and 20 in. wide. For a change of occupancy (Appendix BO108.8.3), a largest-standard-size replacement meeting that size is also accepted. Confirm with Denver CPD.