2022 Building Permit Costs and Fees: Everything You Need To Know

The exciting parts of starting a building project usually involve creatively drafting ideas, brainstorming elements of the building, and getting creative with interior and exterior design.

Unfortunately, it’s not all fun and games. Your site plan will need to be very reflective of what you’re going to build so that you can submit it for a site permit. Without one, your project plans will go up in smoke before you’re ever able to break ground.

Site permits are a real pain, but they’re a necessary part of starting a building project. Below, our team of experienced site professionals at My Site Plan will explore the ins and outs of permits, and the permit fees you can expect for just about any building project you’re planning so you can be better prepared. 

Related: MySitePlan.com: A Quickstart Guide to Your Custom Site Plan

What Exactly is a Building Permit?

A building or renovation permit is an official legal government-sanctioned document that builders are required to have before beginning legally sanctioned construction, renovation, or additions on a particular site or property.

Every jurisdiction in the United States (including states, counties, or cities) has varying requirements for issuing permits. Every jurisdiction also has different building codes and costs associated with issuing permits as well.

Essentially, an area’s zoning board will determine what a homeowner’s permit is for once the site owner or building company submits the site plan. Then, the proper costs and fees are paid, and the permit is issued. Once issued, construction can begin.

Unfortunately, the building permit process doesn’t end once the permit is issued. After construction is completed, a government inspector will visit the construction site in order to conduct a full inspection. This is done to make sure the building or renovation passes the relevant codes and does cost a fee to conduct.

Building Permit Costs in 2022

If you plan on starting a full structure project or remodeling your home, permits are very important requirements. They are designated by state and local governments to ensure the safe building of the structure.

The costs of a building permit will depend on a wide range of factors, such as the size of the job, the type of work involved, the total construction cost, where you live, and more. Generally, permits for smaller tasks like electrical and plumbing work are on the lower end in terms of price and will typically set you back between $50 to $300. When it comes to the permits needed for construction projects, building houses, and remodeling, the costs can run much higher and are typically between $500 to $2,000.

A building permit for any single structure can range from $300 to $2,000, on average. This often equates to between 0.5% to 2.00% of the total average construction costs. While it’s not a cheap process- but it’s a necessary one. Let’s explore some of the most common building permit costs in 2022, according to our friends over at HomeGuide and HomeAdvisor.

Building Permit Average Costs

The costs below include the average cost range for the permits needed for specific jobs. Depending on what area of the United States you live in, you may be paying less or more.

• Building a New House: $1,000 - $3,000
• Garage Conversion: $800 - $1,500
• Bathroom: $175 - $2,000
• Deck: $50 - $500 (In some areas, deck renovation won’t require a permit if the renovation is relatively minimal.)
• Shed: $50 - $2,000 (In some areas, shed renovation won’t require a permit if the renovation is relatively minimal.)
• Pergola: $50 - $2,000 (In some areas, pergola renovation won’t require a permit if the renovation is relatively minimal.)
• Building Inspection: $100 - $500
• Basement: $50 - $2,000
• Electrical: $10 - $500
• Roofing: $150 - $500
• Fence: $20 - $150
• Plumbing: $30 - $500
• HVAC: $50 - $2,000
• Construction: $150 - $2,000
• Window: $50 - $200
• Demolition: $100 - $450

ALT: Someone looking at a house plan on their laptop. 

Related: How Do I Get a Site Plan for a Conditional Use Permit?

Tools for Calculating Building Permit Costs

Luckily, there are a ton of excellent tools out there for calculating a more accurate number for your permit fees. A couple of great tools include:

• ImproveNet - This tool involves simply entering your ZIP code in order to see the national average, minimal costs, maximum cost, and average range of your specific county.
• Permit Fee Calculator - This calculator projects your total permit fee for a specific project using information such as application type, project valuation, and other niche elements.

Essential Information on Permit Costs

Before we continue to the next section to explore two of the most common types of building permits, let's briefly cover some other key factors you'll want to consider regarding overall permit costs. We'll also note some additional permit information you should know for your next construction or renovation project.

• Most construction companies typically include the costs and fees of building permits in their original estimates. Meaning you probably won't have to deal with paying extra for permits when working with a credible construction company.
• How long it takes to receive a permit depends on several factors but primarily depends on the project’s size. You can sometimes get a permit in only a day or two for small projects, while it can take as long as two weeks to get one for a more extensive project.
• If a homeowner acquires an owner-builder permit, they automatically assume all financial liability, insurance risks, and responsibility for adhering to building and zoning codes. 
• People can work with permit service providers, who will handle all of the paperwork, legalities, and inspections needed for permit acquisition. Their services may be costly, but they can help streamline the permit process very well.
• According to law, any construction or renovation projects that don't require an official permit still need to follow all local zoning and building codes.

Has your building department requested a non-certified site plan so you can acquire all of the permits required to get your  project started? Our team of highly-trained drafter from My Site Plan is here to help, so consider contacting us today to learn more!

Residential vs. Commercial Permits

It’s important to know what classifies as a residential project and a commercial project before submitting the necessary paperwork.

Commercial buildings usually represent businesses. The requirements and permit approval processes are significantly more strict for such buildings. Because commercial buildings are open to the public, the fees for getting a permit and inspections are more expensive.

Residential buildings, on the other hand, represent homes or living spaces for families, residents, and individual members of the public. Usually, permit requirements and the approval process for permits are significantly less strict and generally operate on an individual basis. The required fees will depend heavily on individual county regulations, the location of the building, and the type of renovation or building that will take place.

Residential and commercial businesses are very different. For example, commercial buildings will need to apply for the same building permits as residential spaces, for any type of new construction or remodeling plan. Additional evaluation and inspection will apply to the total cost along with the general building permit fee. This fee is around 5% of the contract's total value in addition to building permit fees. Commercial buildings are subject to very rigorous inspection fees to comply with government regulations for safety. Residential buildings, on the other hand, are only required to pay county rates.

The best way to find an exact price for these fees would be to contact your local government during the site planning process. However, there are various ranges you can keep in mind for average permit fees regarding both property types.

Residential Building Permit Fees

Residential construction for family homes and condos typically involves building fees ranging from $0 to $400 for more minor repairs and projects, while significant structural work, remodeling, and new construction average between $600 to $3,600. However, after-the-fact or as-built homes can require permits that cost as much as $2,000 to $8,000.

Commercial Building Permit Fees

Unlike residential building permits, which typically involve a wide range of factors for permits- including fencing, foundation, HVAC, and much more- commercial building permits are often based on total building size. Generally, permits for commercial buildings cost between $0.15 to $0.84 per square foot of space, which equates to around 1% to 5% of the project’s total value. However, permit fees are also impacted by construction type and occupancy classification, like healthcare, industrial, business, or high hazard.

For example:

• The permit cost for a 5,000 square foot building would be $750 - $4,200
• The permit cost for a 10,000 square foot building would be $1,500 - $8,400
• The permit cost for a 25,000 square foot building would be $3,700 - $21,000
• The permit cost for a 50,000 square foot building would be $7,500 - $42,000

Related: Conditional Use Permit: Everything You Need to Know

Demolition Permit Costs

While the central focus of this article is dedicated to exploring the costs and fees related to building permits, people need to keep the idea of demolition permits and costs in the back of their heads. After all, many construction and remodeling projects require demolition before building can occur- you usually need a permit even to knock down a single wall! A project may also have to undergo some demolition if any significant errors occur during the construction process. 

Like construction permits, a demolition permit’s overall costs and fees depend on various factors, such as what’s being demolished, how much material is involved, and more. On average, a demolition permit will cost anywhere between $100 and $450, though some cities automatically include demolition permits as part of a building permit, saving people money.

Additional demolition permits may be required if someone is:

• Demolishing a historic landmark (between $300 - $10,000)
• Relocating or capping lines (between $100 - $150 each)
• Removing trees (especially older, larger, healthy, or rare trees)
• Closing a public right-of-way
• Altering city zoning regulations

Some people may also need to acquire additional demolition permits for factors like dust control.

Site Plans for Permits from MySitePlan

During the permit granting process, builders and contractors will often need to provide their local government with a site plan in order to gain approval. Many builders look into third-party companies and design firms to create these site plans, as these platforms typically feature a team of experienced artists, architects, and designers. We use public data and send the plan to the client to verify dimensions and mark any changes on the plan, which we update free of charge.

MySitePlan offers a variety non-certified site plans that include buildings, interiors, landscapes, and more. Taking on the burden of a site plan can be quite a lot to deal with, especially if you’re drafting an extremely accurate plan for a building permit. 

Trust the professionals at MySitePlan to take on the task for you at a very affordable cost. Drafting a site plan has never been easier, so contact us today to learn more about how we can help! And if you’d like to access even more essential know-how on site plans, permits, construction, and more, please don’t hesitate to also explore our wide selection of other educational resources.

Was our guide to 2022 permit costs useful? The conceptual and artistic side of site planning is what typically takes up most of an architect’s time. Still, it’s really important to be properly informed about what building permit costs are.

You can’t start a new construction project without getting your hands on all of the required permits and documentation, but that’s where My Site Plan is here to help! 

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