Windows and doors in Dallas

What should I plan for before replacing windows or doors in Dallas?

Plan for three checks: whether your scope needs a permit, whether your address sits in a historic or conservation district, and what your window schedule must show. These checks come before you order a custom product, because lead times and approvals both take time. Rules below are as of November 2026.

Honey Rock Window and Door works from 2020 Farrington Street in Dallas and says it is “proudly serving the DFW Metroplex.” This page explains what the city publishes. It is not legal advice. Dallas staff decide what applies to your address.

Does Dallas require a permit for window and door replacement?

Ask the city before you order. Dallas describes a residential permit as approval to start construction, renovation or major repairs. We found no published rule that exempts every window swap, so we do not tell anyone a permit is not needed.

One Dallas page does say that replacing and repairing damaged windows typically does not require a permit. That page is the city’s tornado-recovery guide. Treat it as storm guidance, not a general rule for new steel windows or a new pivot door.

What is a Certificate of Appropriateness, and when does it apply?

A Certificate of Appropriateness, or CA, is the city’s approval for exterior work on a Landmark or in a Landmark district. Dallas requires it before work starts. Staff can approve routine maintenance. The Landmark Commission reviews substantial alterations. Our glossary explains the certificate of appropriateness in plain terms.

Swiss Avenue is a useful example. It was designated in 1973 as the first historic district in Dallas. Munger Place and Junius Heights are Landmark districts too, and both appear on the commission’s June 1, 2026 agenda.

What do real Dallas window and door cases look like?

They look like ordinary requests that still go through review. The June 1, 2026 Landmark Commission agenda lists a Munger Place request for window placement and replacement changes, a Swiss Avenue request to install patio doors at an existing window opening of an accessory structure, and a Junius Heights request to replace a front door.

The agenda shows that doors count as much as windows. Staff also wrote that the patio door work would not be seen from the public right-of-way. Visibility from the street matters in review. Plan photos and elevations with that in mind.

What are the M Streets window rules?

The M Streets conservation ordinance sets rules for windows on the front facade and wrap-around. Only transparent, stained or leaded glass is allowed in windows and doors. Window height must be greater than width. Muntins and mullions must be expressed by at least one-fourth inch. Window assemblies need a profile depth of at least three inches.

Metal frames must have a finish that is indistinguishable from the finish on original wood windows. Window air conditioner units are not allowed. Dallas lists 15 conservation districts, including King’s Highway, Vickery Place and Greenway Parks. Owners must get a Work Review Form for alterations. Work without one, or without a building permit, can get a stop work order.

What does this mean for steel and slim-frame windows?

It means you should take product data to the city early. Steel and aluminum frames can be made narrow, and a narrow sightline is the reason many people choose them. A district rule about depth, muntins or finish may judge the window differently than you do.

Ask staff how they measure each rule, and what they want to see: a muntin section, a finish sample, a profile drawing. Our guide to windows in Dallas historic districts walks through the steps. For metal systems, start with steel windows and doors.

Which energy code applies in Dallas?

Dallas lists Chapter 59 as the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code with Dallas amendments. Your window schedule should show the U-factor and SHGC of each unit from its NFRC label.

Heat is the practical reason to care. At DFW Airport the average first 100 degree day is July 1 and the average last is August 27. Our guide to SHGC and U-factor for Texas explains how to read the numbers.

Where does Preston Hollow fit?

Preston Hollow is a Dallas neighborhood, so Dallas rules apply. We found no separate Preston Hollow permit office or window rule. Some blocks may sit inside a district or carry private deed restrictions. We could not check those, so ask the city and read your title papers.

Next step

Tell us your address, project type and openings, and we will help you plan the product choices around the review your site needs. Start with windows and doors, see window replacement in Dallas, then contact us or call (214) 484-9982.