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San Bernardino County • County permit rule & Fire Safety Overlay

Window Replacement in San Bernardino County, CA

San Bernardino County's own handout says a permit is required for all window and exterior door replacements in unincorporated areas, and its Fire Safety Overlay adds specific glazing and frame rules. Here's how the County's rules work, how cities differ, and what we couldn't confirm, with sources.

Last updated . Facts last checked against sources in October 2026.

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Local rules & permits
Map of San Bernardino County

How the county works

Four things that shape a San Bernardino County window project.

A county permit for every replacement

County Land Use Services' "Residential Window Replacements" handout says San Bernardino County requires a building permit for all window and exterior door replacements regardless of how they are classified, covering retrofit and flanged windows alike. It applies to unincorporated areas; each city runs its own building department. The handout is dated 2021, so confirm current requirements.

Fire Safety Overlay glazing rules

Per the same handout, in Fire Safety Overlay areas new or replacement windows must be multipane with at least one tempered pane, with exceptions including replacement windows in structures built before July 1, 2008. Vinyl frames are prohibited unless they have welded corners, metal interlock reinforcement, insulated or tempered glass and the required AAMA certification and labeling.

The 2025 fire hazard ordinance

The County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 4489 on June 10, 2025, designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas. The 2025 map has moderate, high and very high zones, where the prior map, dating from 2008–2011, showed only very high, and high and very high zones must meet enhanced WUI construction standards.

Valley, mountain and desert energy rules differ

The county spans several California Energy Commission climate zones, reported to include 10, 14, 15 and 16. The 2025 Title 24 update sets a maximum SHGC of 0.23 for replaced or added fenestration in Climate Zone 15, which covers the far desert, so look up your address.

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County rules

County handout requirements and city differences

If you live inside a city, use that city's rules, not the County's. See our city guides below.

County permit details

Per the handout, egress requirements are a 5.7 sq ft net clear opening (5 sq ft at grade floor), 24 inches minimum height, 20 inches minimum width and a sill no higher than 44 inches, with safety glazing in hazardous locations. Smoke and CO alarms and water-fixture verification are required if the project valuation exceeds $1,000.

  • Ask County Land Use Services whether the handout has been updated
  • Ask your installer who pulls the permit
  • Don't apply the County's rule to a property inside a city

Fire, licensing and lead

The Fire Safety Overlay exceptions in the handout may predate the 2025 map change, so confirm with the County. California's licensing exemption for minor work of $1,000 or less doesn't apply when a permit is required, which the County requires for windows. For homes built before 1978, EPA's lead renovation rule always covers window replacement.

  • Check your address on the County Fire fire hazard severity zone map
  • Verify your contractor's license on the CSLB website
  • Ask for lead-safe certification for pre-1978 homes

What this means for your windows

Practical steps for any San Bernardino County window project

Start with our general checklist for vetting a window installer, then add these.

  • Identify your jurisdiction first

    County and city rules differ, and installers sometimes assume the wrong one. Our retrofit vs. full-frame guide explains how install method affects the permit.

  • In a Fire Safety Overlay area, choose the frame carefully

    Vinyl frames need specific construction, so see our vinyl windows guide and ask the installer to document the welded corners, reinforcement and labeling.

  • Don't count on a rebate

    We found no window rebate from Southern California Edison, Southwest Gas or Bear Valley Electric, and the federal 25C credit ended for 2026 installs. See our tax credit explainer and compare warranties in our brand comparison.

Pricing varies widely by home, product and installer. For national price ranges see our 2026 window replacement cost breakdown.

FAQ

San Bernardino County window replacement questions

Do I need a permit to replace windows in unincorporated San Bernardino County?

Yes. The County's Residential Window Replacements handout says San Bernardino County requires a building permit for all window and exterior door replacements regardless of how they are classified. The handout is dated 2021, so confirm current requirements with Land Use Services.

Do cities in the county follow the County's rules?

No. Each city runs its own building department, so check with your city. See our guides for Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Redlands and Yucaipa.

What does the Fire Safety Overlay require for windows?

Per the County handout, new or replacement windows must be multipane with at least one tempered pane, with exceptions including replacement windows in structures built before July 1, 2008. Vinyl frames are prohibited unless they have welded corners, metal interlock reinforcement, insulated or tempered glass and the required AAMA certification and labeling.

Is my home in a fire hazard zone?

The County adopted Ordinance No. 4489 on June 10, 2025, designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas, with moderate, high and very high zones. Check your address on the County Fire map.

Does my window contractor need a license?

California exempts minor work of $1,000 or less from licensing, but not when the job needs a permit or the person employs anyone. Because the County requires a permit for window replacements, verify your contractor's license on the CSLB website.

City guides in San Bernardino County

Compare the cities

What each city guide found, in short. Open a guide for the sources.

CityKey local facts
Rancho Cucamonga
  • Building & Safety: all permits applied for online only (Online Permit Center); page states no like-for-like exemption
  • Fire district: designated WUI Fire Area covers High/Very High zones; Chapter 7A rules named for new construction and additions; 2025 zone adoption timing 'forthcoming'
  • Certificate of Appropriateness for designated landmarks and contributing resources; landmark designation allows Mills Act
Ontario
  • Historic Properties Waiver: all window replacements on historic buildings need Planning approval; allowed only if existing windows are deteriorated beyond repair; replacements must replicate opening, design, style and operation
  • Euclid Avenue: Local Landmark Jan 16, 2001; National Register historic district Aug 10, 2005 (extract)
  • City page: the ONT airport land use compatibility plan doesn't address existing incompatible land uses
Fontana
  • Residential alterations handout: plans must show window locations, sizes and types, including replacements; pre-alteration inspection required
  • Build Fontana online portal; city lists 2025 CBC, Energy Code and Fire Code with no local amendments linked
  • General Plan: most existing development little to no fire threat; large share of undeveloped land in High/Very High zones
Redlands
  • Certificate of Appropriateness required before altering designated Landmarks, Historic Resources or properties in Historic Districts; consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards
  • Eight local historic districts plus two National Register districts; city page references NPS guidance on repairing historic wooden windows
  • State law requires adopting the Cal FIRE map by ordinance (adoption anticipated July 2025; news reports council action July 1, 2025)
Yucaipa
  • City handout: all window and exterior door replacements require a building permit; floor/plot plan; inspections for framing/flashing, stucco lath and final
  • Handout egress and glazing rules; replacements exempt from max sill height if largest standard size that fits with same operating style
  • 2025 fire maps (State Fire Marshal, March 24, 2025): High/Very High zones need fire-resistant materials for new construction or qualifying renovation, defensible space, inspection and disclosure on sale
Chino Hills
  • City permit list names window replacements; exempt-work list has no window exemption except awnings of 54 in. or less
  • Chino Valley Fire District (not the city) adopted Ordinance 2025-01, effective September 1, 2025, with moderate, high and very high zones
  • WUI standards tied to new construction and additions per the district page; plan check about 15 business days
Chino
  • City FAQ says very few repairs avoid permits and recommends calling; windows not mentioned as exempt
  • City code sheet lists Climate Zone 10 and the 2025 California codes
  • Chino Valley Fire District (not the city) adopted Ordinance 2025-01, effective September 1, 2025; Chino Airport land use plan (extract)
Rialto
  • City handout (read directly): a building permit is required for all window and exterior door replacements; no like-for-like exemption
  • Handout: wildland-urban interface glazing must be multipane with one tempered pane (pre-2008 replacements exempt); vinyl frame conditions
  • Handout energy values U-factor 0.30 and SHGC 0.23; adoption of the 2025 fire maps and Ordinance 1702 unconfirmed
Upland
  • City handout (Rev 11/24, read directly) lists window and door replacements as permit work; exempt list names only broken glass and awnings
  • Nine designated historic districts; Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes to historic resources (city page summary)
  • County fire ordinance 4489 adopted June 10, 2025; parts of the foothill edge reportedly newly mapped (aggregator)
San Bernardino
  • City permit application has a Window Change-out (quantity) field; permits required for structural and other work with minor exceptions
  • Chapter 15.10 foothill fire zone rules: welded, reinforced vinyl, dual-pane with one tempered pane; 60% retrofit trigger (2009 revision read)
  • Chapter 15.11 wind-driven fire standards apply to new construction only; Mills Act program
Highland
  • City bulletin: a permit is needed in many cases for replacing windows; exempt-work page lists no window replacement
  • Municipal code Chapter 16.32: Certificate of Appropriateness for historic districts and resources, required even without a building permit
  • City posting the State Fire Marshal's March 2025 map; adoption unconfirmed; fire protection by CAL FIRE contract
Colton
  • City handouts (read directly): window installation, replacement or retrofit requires a permit; same-frame retrofit needs a final inspection only
  • City-owned electric utility with a window rebate page (ENERGY STAR, U-factor below 0.35, SHGC below 0.30; undated)
  • Six historic districts and 54 landmarks; Certificate of Appropriateness covers windows; 2025 fire map adoption unconfirmed
Montclair
  • In-person permit counter open Monday to Thursday in short windows, closed Fridays; no online application listed
  • No work-exempt or window replacement handout; only an egress handout headed with a 2010 code reference
  • Ordinance 25-1016 adopts the 2025 codes; County Fire interim coverage of Station 152 from September 4, 2026
Loma Linda
  • Ordinance 785 (second reading June 10, 2025) adopts the State Fire Marshal's 2025 zones; sets no window rule
  • Permit applications online only; counter and phone hours 8 to 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday
  • City provides water, sewer and refuse; permit rule for window replacement not found

Other county guides

Sources & last checked October 2026

Codes, permits and incentives change. Confirm with your local building department and installer before you sign.

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