How Much Does a Building Permit Cost? (2026 Fee Guide)
Permit fees are usually based on project valuation — commonly $5–$15 per $1,000 of value — plus plan-review and impact fees. After-the-fact permits can cost 2–3x. Here is the range and what drives it.
By The WikEst Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Permit fees are set locally, not by the state, so the number on your application depends on your city or county. Most jurisdictions price the base building permit as a rate applied to the declared project value — commonly about $5–$15 per $1,000 of work. A $30,000 kitchen remodel therefore often carries $150–$450 in base permit fees before anything else is added.
1. The valuation-based formula
Building departments usually ask for the project's estimated value (materials plus labor, sometimes excluding appliances). They apply a fee schedule: a base fee plus a per-$1,000 rate, often on a sliding scale that gets cheaper per dollar as the job gets bigger. Use the permit checker to confirm whether your project is even permit-required before pricing it.
2. Plan-review and other fees
On top of the base permit, you may pay separate plan-review and inspection fees, and on new construction or ADUs, impact fees that fund schools and roads. Utility connection and tapping fees are billed separately. On a large job these can exceed the base permit fee.
3. After-the-fact permits cost more
If work was finished without a permit, the retroactive (after-the-fact) permit commonly costs two to three times the standard fee. Reviewers cannot verify concealed wiring or plumbing, so they often require you to open walls for inspection — and the department may add fines on top. Our legalizing unpermitted work guide walks the path.
4. Why the same job costs differently next door
Fees vary by city size and local ordinance — a small town is usually cheaper than a major city, and a complex commercial-scale job costs more than a straightforward residential one. Always ask your building department for the current fee schedule; the county or city portal is the fastest starting point.