What are the window and door rules in the Park Cities?
Highland Park and University Park are two separate towns, each with its own permit office and rules. Both allow construction Monday through Saturday, 7 am to 6 pm. Only Highland Park publishes window ratings on its plan checklist. Only University Park names window replacement on its permit page. Checked November 2026.
Treat them as two projects. A product schedule that satisfies one town’s checklist does not prove it satisfies the other. This page is not legal advice, and rules change. Confirm with the town before you order.
| Highland Park | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows named on permit page | Not named; lists remodeling, additions, repairs | “Replacing windows” named |
| Who is responsible | Property owner | Ask the permit office |
| Energy numbers published | SHGC and U-factor limits on plan checklist | Not found |
| Energy code edition | 2024 IECC (builders packet) | Not found |
| Work hours | Mon to Sat, 7 am to 6 pm | Mon to Sat, 7 am to 6 pm |
What does Highland Park require?
Highland Park lists permits for remodeling, additions and repairs, and says the property owner is responsible for making sure a permit is obtained. The town’s residential builders packet, created in January 2026, says it uses the 2024 IRC and 2024 I-Codes with local amendments.
The packet’s plan checklist asks for window and door sizes with SHGC and U-factor. It prints SHGC under 0.25 and U-factor under 0.35. It also asks for 2024 IECC compliance signed by an energy consultant with ICC certification.
We cannot tell you whether those limits apply to a single window swap. The checklist is for residential permits with plans. Ask the town how it reads your scope.
What does University Park require?
University Park says a permit is needed in many cases for repair or replacement of existing fixtures, such as replacing windows. The city tells you to call 214-987-5411 to find out if your project needs one.
Permits are issued at the Peek Service Center, 4420 Worcola, from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. We did not find a University Park energy code edition or a window rating limit, so we do not claim one. Ask the permit office what it wants to see.
How do the Highland Park numbers compare to real products?
Compare them with the label on each unit. The NFRC label lists U-factor and SHGC for the exact window. Jada publishes sample NFRC ratings for its units, based on a quarter inch over quarter inch insulated unit with argon fill. Samples are not your unit, so ask for the rating of your exact size and glass.
A low SHGC cuts solar heat through glass. That helps on south and west walls in a Texas summer. Our guide to SHGC and U-factor for Texas explains the trade-offs, and our guide to glass options covers coatings.
Are there design review or deed rules for windows?
We did not find a Park Cities design review rule for windows on the town pages we read. We make no claim either way. Many neighborhoods carry private deed restrictions or association rules, and those do not appear on town permit pages.
Ask your title company or association before you order custom steel, aluminum or clad-wood windows. A custom order is hard to return.
How do work hours affect delivery and installation?
Both towns limit construction to Monday through Saturday, 7 am to 6 pm. Highland Park bars work on Sunday and listed holidays. University Park allows exceptions only by special permission.
Plan deliveries inside those hours. Tell neighbors early. Ask your installer how many days a wall of glass takes on site.
What should I bring to the first conversation?
Bring four items: your address, your drawings, a window and door schedule with sizes, and the NFRC ratings you want. Our planning guide lists the questions to settle first. For wide openings, see pivot doors and lift and slide doors.
Next step
Share your town, address and openings, and we will plan the product choices around that town’s checklist. See steel windows and doors, read the Highland Park permit guide, then contact us or call (214) 484-9982.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Highland Park?
Highland Park says permits are required for remodeling, additions and repairs, and the property owner is responsible for making sure one is obtained. The pages we read do not name a like-for-like window swap, so call the town's Building Inspection Department before you order, and keep your window schedule ready.
Do I need a permit to replace windows in University Park?
University Park says a permit is needed in many cases to replace windows, and tells owners to call 214-987-5411 to learn whether a project needs one. Permits are issued at the Peek Service Center, 4420 Worcola, 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Confirm your scope by phone.
What window ratings does Highland Park ask for?
Its residential plan checklist asks for window and door sizes with SHGC and U-factor, and prints SHGC under 0.25 and U-factor under 0.35. The packet also asks for 2024 IECC compliance signed by an ICC-certified energy consultant. Ask the town how this applies to your project.
When can contractors work in the Park Cities?
Both towns publish the same hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 am to 6 pm. Highland Park bars work on Sunday and listed holidays. University Park allows exceptions only by special permission. Plan delivery and crane days inside these hours and tell your neighbors early.
Does the Park Cities have a design review board for windows?
We did not find a Park Cities design review rule for windows on the town pages we read, so we make no claim either way. Private deed restrictions may apply to your lot. Ask both the town office and your title company before you order custom steel or aluminum.
Terms on this page
Sources
- Town of Highland Park: Community Development
- Town of Highland Park: Community Development (owner)
- Town of Highland Park: Community Development (hours)
- Town of Highland Park: Residential Builders Packet (codes)
- Town of Highland Park: Residential Builders Packet (checklist)
- Town of Highland Park: Residential Builders Packet (limits)
- Town of Highland Park: Residential Builders Packet (energy)
- Jada Windows: Energy Values
- City of University Park: Building Permits (windows)
- City of University Park: Building Permits (call)
- City of University Park: Building Permits (counter)
- City of University Park: Building Permits (hours)
