Permits and historic rules to check before installing windows in Allentown

Paperwork comes first. Learning what applies to your address before windows are ordered saves time and avoids rework.

Part 1

Step by step

Find your district status
Ask the city whether your address is in Old Allentown, Old Fairgrounds or West Park, the three historic districts.
Ask about the scope
Replacing a window in the same opening is different from changing the size or location of an opening.
Find out who applies
Ask whether your installer will prepare the application and the permit, or whether you must.
Order only after approval
Made-to-order windows cannot easily be returned.

Part 2

Certificates of Appropriateness: Owners planning exterior changes in an Allentown historic district must complete a Certificate of Appropriateness application. Most applications are reviewed by the Historical Architecture Review Board, and staff handle some.
State building code: The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code governs building work statewide. It sets rules on things like bedroom escape windows and safety glass.
Lead rules: EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule applies to paid work in houses built before 1978.

Part 3

Part 4

Access, shared walls and sealing against old brick.

Temperature limits, scheduling and keeping the house warm.

Rowhomes, historic districts and city permits.

Moravian-era streets and South Side rows.

FAQ

Does a window in a back wall need approval?

Review focuses on exterior changes in the districts. Ask the city about the specifics of your property.

How long does approval take?

It depends on the review schedule. Ask the city planning staff.

Who issues the permit?

The city's codes office for properties in Allentown.