SAN FRANCISCO, March 25, 2026 – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 908, legislation to streamline the permitting process for replacing windows. In various parts of California, homeowners face a difficult and costly process to upgrade old, inefficient windows. In cities like San Francisco and Sacramento, simple window upgrades can trigger months of paperwork, hearings, and design reviews, even when a homeowner’s only goal is to make their home more energy efficient. SB 908 streamlines the approvals process, giving homeowners more options to lower their energy costs, improve energy efficiency, and improve their home’s coziness.
Replacing old windows with newer, more energy efficient options is often less expensive than the older styles sometimes required by historic preservation standards and cities with complex planning codes. Contractors estimate that historic wood-framed windows can run $40,000, or nearly double the $20,000 cost for modern fiberglass, aluminum, or vinyl alternatives.
“Outdated policies shouldn’t stop people from upgrading their windows to save energy, lower costs, and make people more comfortable, all in the name of neighborhood character,” said Senator Wiener. “California homes waste millions of dollars each year through leaky, single-pane windows that fail to meet modern efficiency standards. Yet in many local jurisdictions, the permitting process itself has become the biggest barrier to fixing the problem. SB 908 removes this barrier by protecting homeowners’ right to make common sense energy efficiency improvements without unnecessary delays or costs.”
The real-world impact of these restrictive policies has been severe for San Francisco residents. Tomas and Eliska Vorel, who bought a Victorian condo in NoPa, discovered their single-pane windows were drafty and leaking moisture. When they tried to upgrade, the Planning Department initially demanded they install custom wood windows with decorative “ogees” at an estimated cost of $40,000 for just five windows. After spending six hours and $900 at the permit office, Vorel was denied permission for aluminum-clad wood windows—a more durable, low-maintenance option. He eventually found a workaround, purchasing wood windows for $11,000 and adding snap-on plastic ogees after the fact, though it’s unclear if this even technically complies with the rules.
Similarly, Peter Belden in Potrero Hill was warned by his contractor that the city would make window replacement “too expensive,” leaving him stuck with poorly sealed windows near the 101 freeway, running air filters constantly to combat freeway dust.
Renters are particularly affected by these policies. Landlords often won’t upgrade windows due to the high costs, leaving tenants with drafty interiors, higher heating bills, and exposure to outdoor noise and pollution. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates 30% of home heating energy is lost through windows, and the majority of California homes are heated with fossil fuels.
SB 908 would prohibit homeowner’s associations from restricting window replacements that comply with the California Energy Code. It also requires local governments to treat qualifying window replacement permits as ministerial approvals, meaning homeowners can move forward without getting caught up in aesthetic design hearings or subjective standards. A permit can only be denied if there is substantial evidence of an unmitigable health or safety issue.
The bill preserves protections for truly historic properties by exempting buildings listed on the State Historic Resources Inventory from the streamlined permitting requirements.
By streamlining approval for energy-efficient window replacements, SB 908 helps lower energy bills, reduce emissions, and make it easier for Californians to maintain their homes, even in our most historic communities. SB 908 is supported by the Building Decarbonization Coalition, San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), and Mission Housing Development Corporation.