Compare Building Permit Fees by Jurisdiction (2026)
Side-by-side comparisons using actual fee formulas from official .gov fee schedules. The same project can cost significantly more in one county than the next.
Why Compare?
Virginia jurisdictions set their own permit fee schedules, and the all-in cost for identical projects can differ by hundreds of dollars between counties. A $15,000 deck costs $688.50 in Fairfax County. The same project in a jurisdiction with higher base rates and additional surcharges can exceed $900. These comparisons use verified data - not estimates.
About These Comparisons
- Each comparison uses only data verified against official .gov fee schedule documents - no estimated or inferred values.
- Comparisons are added as jurisdiction pages go live. Currently live: 7 Virginia jurisdictions (Fairfax, Loudoun, Chesterfield, Henrico, Richmond City, Virginia Beach City, Norfolk City) plus Washington, DC.
- Use the fee calculator for a multi-jurisdiction estimate, or open the jurisdiction page for the full formula breakdown.
- Always verify fees directly with your local building department before budgeting or filing.
Live Comparisons
Jurisdiction Comparisons
Side-by-side comparisons using verified fee data from official fee schedules.
Virginia
Live
Chesapeake vs Hampton
Hampton Roads head-to-head: hybrid per-SF/value vs 0.39% value-based
$30,000 remodel $596.50 vs $149.34
Virginia
Live
Newport News vs Norfolk
Hampton Roads head-to-head: 0.44% value-based vs flat fees
$30,000 alteration $134.64 vs $152.00
Virginia
Live
Newport News vs Virginia Beach
Hampton Roads head-to-head: 0.44% value-based vs base + plan review + tech
$30,000 alteration $134.64 vs $314.00
Virginia
Live
Newport News vs Hampton
Peninsula head-to-head: 0.44% vs 0.39% + $10 tech, crossover near $19,600
$15,000 deck $67.32 vs $69.67
Virginia
Live
Roanoke City vs Roanoke County
Same metro, both value-based: County cheaper under $30k, tie at $30k ($190), City cheaper above
$15,000 deck $115 vs $100 base
Virginia
Live
Manassas City vs Prince William County
All-inclusive $0.45/SF flat vs value-based + separate trades; depends on project type
300 SF deck $135 vs $266.31
Virginia
Live
Fauquier County vs Prince William County
Per-square-foot + surcharges vs flat minimums; cheaper side depends on project and size
300 SF deck $112 vs $266.31
Virginia
Live
Fauquier County vs Manassas City
Low per-SF + separate trades vs all-inclusive $0.45/SF; Fauquier lower at the line level
300 SF deck $112 vs $135
Virginia
Live
Spotsylvania County vs Prince William County
All-in $0.57/SF vs $0.1536/SF + separate trades; Prince William cheaper on most projects
New 2,400 SF home $1,448 vs $830
Maryland
Live
Montgomery County vs Prince George's County
Maryland head-to-head: DPS per-sq-ft vs DPIE stacked fees
Retaining wall $194.67 vs $268.40
Maryland
Live
Howard County vs Montgomery County
Maryland head-to-head: per-square-foot rates compared
400 sq ft addition $160 vs $593.75
Maryland
Live
Carroll County vs Charles County
Maryland head-to-head: flat fees vs an additive itemized model
New home $458 vs $3,575 · finished basement $85 vs from $375
Maryland
Live
Carroll County vs Montgomery County
Maryland head-to-head: flat fees vs per-square-foot pricing
Deck $60 vs $194.67 · new home $458 vs $2,764
Maryland
Live
Carroll County vs Baltimore County
Maryland head-to-head: two flat-fee schedules, both source-age flagged
Deck $60 vs $85 · residential solar $60 vs $79
Maryland
Live
Charles County vs Prince George's County
Southern Maryland head-to-head: two additive fee models
New home ~$3,575 vs ~$3,348 permit side, before PG's separate surcharges
Maryland
Live
Charles County vs Montgomery County
Additive itemized vs per-square-foot DPS schedule
New home ~$3,575 vs $2,764; pool from $243 vs $313.64
Maryland
Live
Baltimore County vs Montgomery County
Flat area-based fees vs per-square-foot DPS schedule
Deck $85 vs $194.67; solar $79 vs $227.12
Maryland
Live
Harford County vs Howard County
Maryland per-square-foot head-to-head: $0.15 vs $0.25/sq ft
400 sq ft addition $160 vs $160 · new home $510 vs $810
Maryland
Live
Harford County vs Baltimore County
Maryland head-to-head: $0.15/sq ft + $100 vs flat fees by structure
400 sq ft addition $160 vs $85 · 192 sq ft shed $20 vs $85
Maryland
Live
Anne Arundel County vs Baltimore County
Maryland head-to-head: value-based tiers vs flat fees
$15k deck $207 vs $85
Virginia
Live
Fairfax County vs Loudoun County
Head-to-head permit fee comparison
$15,000 deck - which costs more?
Virginia
Live
Prince William County vs Loudoun County
Head-to-head permit fee comparison
$30,000 alteration - which costs more?
Virginia
Live
Chesterfield County vs Henrico County
Flat fee vs value-based formula
Crossover at ~$63,000 - both verified
Virginia
Live
Fairfax County vs Chesterfield County
Percentage formula vs flat fees
$688.50 vs $166.28 - Chesterfield always cheaper
Virginia
Live
Fairfax County vs Chesterfield County: Retaining Walls
3% of value vs flat $114
$6,500 wall: $298.35 vs $116.28 - crossover near $2,530
DMV
Live
Fairfax County vs Washington DC: Water Heaters
Flat $340 plumbing tier vs $26 per fixture
Standalone water heater: $346.80 vs $28.60 - DC cheaper at every fixture count
Virginia
Live
Fairfax County vs Chesterfield County: Garages
Per square foot vs flat $340.70
Typical garage: $110.16-$157.53 vs $340.70 - Fairfax cheaper, winner flips near 1,557 sq ft
Virginia
Live
Fairfax County vs Norfolk City: Demolition
3% of value vs flat $66
$50,000 teardown: $2,295 vs $66 - Norfolk cheaper at every value
Virginia
Live
Henrico County vs Chesterfield County: Garages
Value formula vs flat $340.70
$15,000 garage: $163.20 vs $340.70 - crossover near $44,000
DMV
Live
Fairfax County vs Washington DC: HVAC
By zone count vs by BTU class
Single system: $137.70 vs $50.60 - DC cheaper at every setup
DMV
Live
Fairfax County vs Washington DC: Solar
$0 BP waived + full electrical vs $36.30 Instant Permit
Standard 8 kW / 200A: $385.56 vs $36.30 - DC ~10x cheaper
DMV
Live
Fairfax County vs Washington DC: Electrical Panel
Tiered amperage ($378 for 200A) vs $64.90 Instant Permit
Standard 200A heavy-up: $385.56 vs $64.90 - DC ~6x cheaper
Hampton Roads
Live
Norfolk City vs Virginia Beach City
Flat fees and area tiers vs sq-ft and value formulas
Norfolk wins alterations and pools, VB wins decks - both verified
Virginia
Live
Fairfax County vs Richmond City
3% of cost + plan review vs $63 base + per-$1,000 increment
$1,377 vs $237.62 ($30k alteration) - Richmond cheaper across the board
Virginia
Live
Richmond City vs Virginia Beach City
Value-only formula vs sq-ft hybrid (decks, additions, new build)
Crossover at ~$100k value - VB wins anything priced by sq ft
Virginia
Live
Henrico County vs Richmond City
$100 base + $6/$1k over $5k (capped at $680) vs $63 + $6.07/$1k over $2k (no cap)
$163.20 vs $144.75 ($15k deck) - Richmond cheaper under ~$103k; Henrico wins above the cap
DC + Virginia
Live
Washington DC vs Fairfax County
DC tier formula + 10% Enhanced + Green Building Fee vs Fairfax 3% + 50% plan review + 2% levy
$735.90 vs $1,377 ($30k alteration) - DC saves $641; Fairfax wins per-sq-ft new SFD
DMV vs Richmond MSA
Live
Fairfax County vs Henrico County
Fairfax 3% + 50% plan review vs Henrico $100 + $6/$1k over $5k (capped at $680)
$1,377 vs $255 ($30k alteration) - Henrico dramatically cheaper for nearly all residential work
Capital pair
Live
Washington DC vs Richmond City
DC tier formula + 10% Enhanced + Green Building Fee vs Richmond $63 + $6.07/$1k over $2k
$735.90 vs $237.62 ($30k alteration) - Richmond cheaper for alterations; DC wins on new SFD
Richmond MSA pair
Live
Chesterfield County vs Richmond City
Chesterfield flat-fee structure ($114 deck, $399 addition, $57 pool) vs Richmond $63 + $6.07/$1k over $2k
$166.28 vs $144.75 ($15k deck) · $456.98 vs $237.62 ($30k addition) - crossover at ~$65k addition value
Value formula vs sq-ft pricing
Live
Henrico County vs Virginia Beach City
Henrico value-based formula ($100 + $6/$1k, capped $680) vs Virginia Beach mixed sq-ft + value pricing
$163.20 vs $94.16 (200 sq ft deck) · $255 vs $314 ($30k alteration) - VB wins decks/additions; Henrico wins alterations/pools
DMV-DC vs Hampton Roads
Live
Washington DC vs Virginia Beach City
DC tier formula + 10% Enhanced Fee + Green Building Fee vs Virginia Beach sq-ft and value formulas + $25 plan review + 2% state levy
$735.90 vs $239.00 ($30k alteration); $1,907.40 vs $196.70 ($80k addition); VB wins almost every category
Hampton Roads vs DMV
Live
Norfolk City vs Fairfax County
Norfolk flat $100 alteration vs Fairfax 3% of cost + 50% plan review
$152 vs $1,377 ($30k alteration) - Norfolk dramatically cheaper for most work
DMV-NOVA vs Richmond MSA
Live
Loudoun County vs Henrico County
Loudoun bundled $395 flat (July 2022) vs Henrico $100 + $6/$1k over $5k, capped at $680
$402.90 vs $255 ($30k) - Henrico wins below ~$54k; Loudoun wins above for under-1,000-sq-ft path
Hampton Roads vs Richmond MSA
Live
Virginia Beach City vs Chesterfield County
VB sq-ft and value formulas vs Chesterfield pure flat-tier pricing
Deck: $94.16 vs $166.28 (VB wins). Addition: $196.70 vs $456.98 (VB wins). Pool: $314 vs $108.14 (Chesterfield wins).
DMV-NOVA vs Richmond MSA
Live
Loudoun County vs Chesterfield County
Loudoun bundled $395 flat (July 2022) vs Chesterfield per-project flat tier
Deck: $402.90 vs $166.28 (Chesterfield wins). Addition: $402.90 vs $456.98 (Loudoun wins $54.08). Pool: $402.90 vs $108.14 (Chesterfield wins).
Richmond MSA vs Hampton Roads
Live
Chesterfield County vs Norfolk City
Chesterfield flat-tier vs Norfolk sq-ft + flat hybrid (July 2021)
Addition: $456.98 vs $126.50 (Norfolk wins big). Pool: $108.14 vs $192.50 (Chesterfield wins). Re-roof: $166.28 vs $0 no permit (Norfolk).
Richmond MSA vs Hampton Roads
Live
Richmond City vs Norfolk City
Richmond $63 + $6.07/$1k value formula vs Norfolk category-flat schedule
Alteration $30k: $237.62 vs $152.00 (Norfolk wins). Deck 200 sq ft: $144.75 vs $152.00 (Richmond wins narrowly). Crossover at ~$16,170 declared.
DMV-NOVA vs Richmond MSA
Live
Loudoun County vs Richmond City
Loudoun bundled $395 flat vs Richmond value formula
Deck $15k: $402.90 vs $144.75 (Richmond saves $258). $80k addition under 1,000 sq ft: $402.90 vs $547.19 (Loudoun saves $144). Crossover at ~$56,690.
DMV-NOVA vs Hampton Roads
Live
Loudoun County vs Norfolk City
Loudoun bundled $395 vs Norfolk category-flat schedule
Alteration: $402.90 vs $152.00 (Norfolk saves $251). Pool: $402.90 vs $192.50 (Norfolk saves $210). Shed: $402.90 vs $101 (Norfolk saves $302).
DMV anchor pair
Live
Washington DC vs Loudoun County
DC tier formula + 10% Enhanced vs Loudoun bundled $395 flat
Pool: $286 vs $402.90 (DC saves $117). Shed: $71.50 vs $402.90 (DC saves $331). $30k alteration: $735.90 vs $402.90 (Loudoun saves $333). New SFD: $532 vs ~$4,422.
DMV vs Richmond MSA
Live
Washington DC vs Chesterfield County
DC 4-tier alteration + cubic-foot new construction vs Chesterfield pure flat-fee
$15k deck: $384.45 vs $166.28 (Chesterfield saves $218). 500 sq ft addition: $133.10 vs $456.98 (DC saves $324). Shed: $71.50 vs $166.28 (DC saves $95).
NOVA vs Hampton Roads
Live
Fairfax County vs Virginia Beach City
Fairfax 3% + 50% PR + 2% levy vs VB sq-ft pricing + counter review
$15k deck: $688.50 vs $94.16 (VB saves $594). $30k alteration: $1,377 vs $314 (VB saves $1,063). 500 sq ft addition: $3,672 vs $121.70 (VB saves $3,550).
Richmond MSA vs Hampton Roads
Live
Henrico County vs Norfolk City
Henrico value-formula capped $680 vs Norfolk flat schedule + per-sq-ft new construction
$30k alteration: $255 vs $152 (Norfolk saves $103). 1,200 sq ft addition: $561 vs $233.60 (Norfolk saves $327). Re-roof in Norfolk = NO PERMIT REQUIRED.
DMV-DC vs Richmond MSA
Live
Washington DC vs Henrico County
DC 4-tier alteration + 10% Enhanced + Green Building Fee vs Henrico capped formula ($680 cap)
$30k alteration: $735.90 vs $255 (Henrico saves $480.90). 320 sq ft shed: $71.50 vs $120.36 (DC wins on shed). 2,000 sq ft new SFD: $532.40 vs $693.60 (DC wins).
DMV-DC vs Hampton Roads
Live
Washington DC vs Norfolk City
DC 4-tier alteration + 10% Enhanced + Green Building Fee vs Norfolk flat schedule + re-roof no-permit rule
$30k alteration: $735.90 vs $152.00 (Norfolk saves $583.90). $12k re-roof: $314.16 vs $0 (Norfolk no permit). Shed: $71.50 vs $101.00 (DC wins on shed).
DMV-NOVA vs Hampton Roads
Live
Loudoun County vs Virginia Beach City
Loudoun bundled $395 flat (under 1,000 sq ft) vs Virginia Beach sq-ft + value formulas with counter-PR option
200 sq ft deck $15k: $94.16 vs $402.90 (VB saves $308.74). $30k alteration: $314.00 vs $402.90 (VB saves $88.90). 500 sq ft heated addition $50k: $121.70 vs $402.90 (VB saves $281.20). Crossover at ~$30,500 declared for alterations/pools.
Virginia
In Progress
Fairfax vs Prince William County
Awaiting Prince William fee verification
Page launching soon
Virginia
In Progress
Fairfax vs Arlington County
Awaiting Arlington fee verification
Page launching soon
Comparisons are added as jurisdiction fee data is verified. Each comparison requires confirmed source data from both jurisdictions before publishing.
Virginia Permit Fee Quick Reference
Live data for Fairfax, Loudoun, Chesterfield, Henrico Counties and Richmond City, VA. Additional jurisdictions will be added as fee data is verified.
| Jurisdiction | Base Fee Method | Plan Review | State Levy | $15K Deck (All-In) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | 3% of cost · min $72 | 50% of permit fee | 2% (USBC) | $688.50 | Verified |
| Loudoun County | $395 flat (≤1,000 sq ft) · 1% (larger) | Bundled in flat fee | 2% (USBC) | ~$402.90 (est.) | Estimated |
| Chesterfield County | Flat fee by project type ($114 deck · $399 addition) | Bundled (not listed separately) | 2% (USBC) | $166.28 | Verified |
| Henrico County | $100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000 · max $680 | Not listed separately | 2% (USBC) | $163.20 | Verified |
| Richmond City | $63 + $6.07/$1,000 over $2,000 · no cap | Not listed separately | 2% (USBC) | $144.75 | Verified |
| Prince William County | Verification in progress | TBD | 2% (USBC) | TBD | In Progress |
| Arlington County | Verification in progress | TBD | 2% (USBC) | TBD | In Progress |
| City of Alexandria | Verification in progress | TBD | 2% (USBC) | TBD | In Progress |
All Virginia jurisdictions collect the 2% USBC state levy (Code of VA §36-139). The base fee method and plan review rate are set independently by each jurisdiction. TBD values will be filled as official fee schedules are verified.
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Virginia
Live
Fairfax County, VA
Full formula + worked examples
$15,000 deck = $688.50 all-in
Virginia
All Virginia Jurisdictions
Coverage map + status
7 live (Fairfax, Loudoun, Chesterfield, Henrico, Richmond City, Virginia Beach City, Norfolk City)
Always verify current permit fees directly with your local building department before budgeting or filing.
Fee schedules change annually. Contact your county or city building department for current rates. Primary official fee schedules: Fairfax County Appendix Q (FY2025) and DC DOB fee schedule.
Disclaimer: All fee information on PermitPrice is for informational purposes only and is not an official permit quotation. Actual fees are determined by the applicable building department at the time of application. Verify all fees directly with the relevant building department before filing.