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Fairfax County vs Virginia Beach City Building Permit Fees (2026)

Side-by-side residential building permit fee comparison between Fairfax County (Northern Virginia DMV-NOVA anchor, FIPS 51059, population 1.15M) and Virginia Beach City (largest Virginia independent city, Hampton Roads anchor, FIPS 51810). Fairfax uses a 3% percentage-of-construction-value formula for decks, alterations and repairs, and $0.15 per sq ft (wood frame, $141.75 minimum) for additions and new homes, with the 2% Virginia state levy and a 10% county technology surcharge on the permit fee (Appendix Q FY2027, effective July 1, 2026). Virginia Beach uses three structurally different formulas published on the same Residential Permit Fees PDF (rev. Jul-2025): heated additions at $50 + $7 per 100 sq ft, non-heated additions and decks at $50 + $4 per 100 sq ft, and residential alterations at $50 + $5 per $1,000 of declared construction value. Virginia Beach adds $100 plan review (or $25 counter review for projects up to 500 sq ft and 5 plan-set pages), a $10 technology fee, and the 2% Virginia state levy on the building permit fee only. Virginia Beach wins most residential project types - Fairfax's 3% rate scales without a cap, while Virginia Beach's sq-ft pricing for decks and additions and low value-based rate for alterations keep fees structurally lower. Fairfax wins in-ground pools (flat $93.52) and, because its $141.75 minimum sets a $158.77 all-in floor below Virginia Beach's $161-plus full-plan-review minimum, heated additions and new homes between roughly 500 and 1,667 sq ft.

$15k Deck (200 sq ft)
Fairfax $504.00 vs VB $94.16
$30k Kitchen Alteration
Fairfax $1,008 vs VB $314.00
$30k In-Ground Pool
Fairfax $93.52 vs VB $314.00
500 sq ft Heated Addition
Fairfax $158.77 vs VB $121.70
Fairfax Source
Appendix Q FY2027
VB Source
rev. Jul-2025 PDF
What This Comparison Covers - and What It Does Not

This comparison covers: Residential building permit fees in Fairfax County, Virginia and Virginia Beach City, Virginia, for the most common project types - decks, heated additions, in-ground swimming pools, residential alterations (kitchen and bathroom remodels), and new single-family detached construction. Both jurisdictions are verified from official .gov sources. Fairfax source: Appendix Q Land Development Services Fee Schedule (FY2027, effective July 1, 2026). Virginia Beach source: Residential Permit Fees PDF (footer revision date Jul-2025) on planning.virginiabeach.gov.

This comparison does NOT cover: Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) - filed separately in both jurisdictions and itemized per amperage tier, fixture count, or zone count in Fairfax; not separately itemized in the Virginia Beach Residential Permit Fees summary. Under Appendix Q FY2027 a Fairfax residential alteration electrical permit (up to 100 fixtures, circuits or equipment items) is $141.75 + 2% levy + 10% technology surcharge = $158.77; mechanical runs from $141.75 (1 zone) to $693.00 (5+ zones) by zone count before the 12% add-ons; plumbing is priced by fixture count (confirm the current tier with LDS). Each Fairfax trade permit pays the 2% Virginia state levy and the 10% technology surcharge but no plan review filing fee. Virginia Beach Certificate of Occupancy ($75), re-inspection fee ($75), right-of-way fee ($35), and work-without-permit administrative fee ($250) are excluded from typical-project totals. Zoning approvals, HOA architectural review, RPA review, and contractor labor/material costs are excluded from both jurisdictions.

What makes this comparison meaningful: Two structurally different Virginia pricing models. Fairfax's percentage-of-value approach scales linearly with project cost - a $5,000 deck and a $50,000 deck pay 10x different fees. Virginia Beach's sq-ft pricing for decks and additions and low value-based rate for alterations keep fees structurally lower across nearly every typical residential scenario. Combined with Virginia Beach's $25 counter review option for projects up to 500 sq ft, the per-project savings can be substantial. Virginia Beach also offers a 3-day online review turnaround for initial filings, faster than typical Fairfax timelines for similar scopes. Fairfax's structural advantage is limited to in-ground pools, where its flat $83.50 pool permit ($93.52 all-in) undercuts Virginia Beach's value formula ($314.00 at $30,000), and to heated additions and new homes between roughly 500 and 1,667 sq ft, where Fairfax's $0.15 per sq ft pricing undercuts Virginia Beach's full $100 plan review.

Source verification: Fairfax's Appendix Q is current FY2027 (amendment 05-26-Q, adopted May 5, 2026), effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; verified September 18, 2026 against the PDF on fairfaxcounty.gov/landdevelopment. Half of the Fairfax permit fee is due at application as a filing-fee deposit and is credited at issuance (County Code 61-1-3(d)11); it is not an extra charge. Virginia Beach's Residential Permit Fees PDF carries a footer revision date "rev. Jul-2025"; verified April 24, 2026 via Playwright authenticated fetch from the S3 bucket virginia-beach-departments-docs and decoded for pdfplumber extraction.

Key Takeaways
  • Decks: Virginia Beach's $50 + $4 per 100 sq ft formula is dramatically cheaper than Fairfax's 3% of declared value. A 200 sq ft deck at $15,000 declared: VB = $58 building + $25 counter PR + $10 tech + $1.16 levy = $94.16 vs Fairfax = $450 + $9.00 + $45.00 = $504.00. VB saves $409.84. The structural reason: Fairfax's 3% rate × 1.12 levy and technology surcharge yields an effective 3.36% rate on declared value, while VB's sq-ft pricing is essentially flat at typical deck sizes.
  • Kitchen and bath alterations: Virginia Beach's $50 + $5 per $1,000 of declared value formula handles alterations as a low-rate (0.5%) value-based fee. Fairfax's 3% of value drives huge spread at typical alteration values. $30k kitchen alteration: VB $314 vs Fairfax $1,008, VB saves $694. $50k bathroom alteration: VB $414 vs Fairfax $1,680, VB saves $1,266.
  • Heated additions: Both jurisdictions now price heated additions by floor area. Virginia Beach charges $50 + $7 per 100 sq ft; Fairfax (Appendix Q FY2027) charges $0.15 per sq ft for wood frame with a $141.75 minimum, plus the 2% levy and 10% technology surcharge. 500 sq ft addition at $80k declared: VB = $85 + $25 counter PR + $10 + $1.70 = $121.70 vs Fairfax = $141.75 + $2.84 + $14.18 = $158.77 (the minimum applies up to 945 sq ft). VB saves $37.07. A 2,000 sq ft heated addition at $300k declared: VB = $190 + $100 PR (over 500 sq ft, no counter) + $10 + $3.80 = $303.80 vs Fairfax = $300 + $6 + $30 = $336.00. VB saves $32.20. Between roughly 500 and 1,667 sq ft, where VB's full $100 plan review applies, Fairfax is the cheaper county (1,000 sq ft: Fairfax $168.00 vs VB $232.40).
  • In-ground pools: The one category Fairfax wins. Fairfax: flat $83.50 building permit + $1.67 levy + $8.35 technology surcharge = $93.52. VB: alteration formula $50 + $5/$1k x $30k = $200 building + $100 PR + $10 + $4 = $314.00. Fairfax saves $220.48 on a $30k pool. VB's pool total cannot fall below about $161 (the $50 base with full plan review and the $10 fee), so Fairfax's flat $93.52 is cheaper at every pool value.
  • New single-family detached construction: Both jurisdictions price by square foot; Fairfax wins small and mid-size homes, VB wins large ones. Fairfax uses sq-ft pricing by construction type ($0.15/sq ft VA/VB wood frame, $141.75 minimum, + 2% levy + 10% technology surcharge = $0.168 per sq ft all-in above 945 sq ft). VB uses its heated formula. At 800 sq ft: VB = $50 + $56 = $106 building + $100 + $10 + $2.12 = $218.12 vs Fairfax = $158.77 (minimum floor) - Fairfax wins by $59.35. At 1,500 sq ft: Fairfax $252.00 vs VB $268.10. The crossover is about 1,667 sq ft; at 2,000 sq ft VB $303.80 vs Fairfax $336.00, VB saves $32.20.
  • Counter-review savings in VB: Virginia Beach offers a $25 counter review option for additions, alterations, accessory structures up to 500 sq ft and 5 plan-set pages, plus any size uncovered deck or alteration. The $75 savings vs full $100 plan review applies to almost every typical residential deck and small-addition scenario in this comparison. Fairfax has no equivalent reduced-review pricing.
  • Decision rule: Pick Virginia Beach for decks at any typical residential value, alterations at any value that qualify for the $25 counter review (with the full $100 plan review, Fairfax's $158.77 floor edges VB by a few dollars only below about $5,650 declared), heated additions up to 500 sq ft, and new homes or additions above roughly 1,667 sq ft. Pick Fairfax for an in-ground pool, where its flat $93.52 all-in beats VB's $314.00 at $30,000 declared (and beats VB at every pool value), and for heated additions and new homes between roughly 500 and 1,667 sq ft, where Fairfax's $0.15 per sq ft pricing undercuts VB's $161-plus full-plan-review minimum. These are different metros (NOVA vs Hampton Roads), so the comparison is most useful for relocation cost research and regional-contractor scope estimating.
  • Source caveats: Fairfax's FY2027 schedule is dated July 1, 2026 (Appendix Q renewed annually). Virginia Beach's Residential Permit Fees PDF carries the rev. Jul-2025 footer - the current published rate sheet on planning.virginiabeach.gov as of April 24, 2026. Both jurisdictions adjust fees periodically; confirm rates with the building department before filing.
Calculate Your Permit All Fairfax Permit Fees All Virginia Beach Permit Fees

Side-by-Side Math - Five Worked Examples

Each scenario uses identical project parameters (declared construction value, project size, complexity) to isolate the structural difference between Fairfax's percentage-of-value formula and Virginia Beach's sq-ft / value-based hybrid. All-in totals include the building permit fee, plan review (VB $100 full or $25 counter; Fairfax's 50% filing fee is a deposit credited toward the permit fee at issuance and is not added), Fairfax's 10% technology surcharge, Virginia Beach's $10 technology fee, and the 2% Virginia state levy. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are excluded from both columns.

Example 1: 200 sq ft uncovered deck, $15,000 declared

Project: 10 x 20 foot pressure-treated wood deck attached to back of dwelling, 36 inches above grade, $15,000 contractor scope.

Fairfax County (deck = 3% formula):

  • Building permit (3% of $15,000): $450.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $450: $9.00
  • 10% Fairfax technology surcharge on $450: $45.00
  • Fairfax all-in: $504.00

Virginia Beach (deck = sq-ft formula, counter review eligible):

  • Building permit ($50 base + 200 sq ft / 100 x $4): $58.00
  • Counter plan review (any-size uncovered deck): $25.00
  • Technology fee: $10.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $58: $1.16
  • VB all-in: $94.16

Virginia Beach saves $409.84 on this $15,000 deck.

Example 2: $30,000 kitchen alteration (interior remodel)

Project: Full kitchen remodel with new circuit for island, plumbing relocation, cabinet replacement, countertops. $30,000 contractor scope, interior alteration scope, no footprint change.

Fairfax County (alteration = 3% formula):

  • Building permit (3% of $30,000): $900.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $900: $18.00
  • 10% Fairfax technology surcharge on $900: $90.00
  • Fairfax all-in: $1,008.00

Virginia Beach (alteration = $50 + $5/$1k formula):

  • Building permit ($50 + 30 x $5): $200.00
  • Full plan review (kitchen scope, $100): $100.00
  • Technology fee: $10.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $200: $4.00
  • VB all-in: $314.00

Virginia Beach saves $694.00 on this kitchen alteration. Separate electrical and plumbing trade permits excluded from both totals.

Example 3: $30,000 in-ground swimming pool

Project: 16 x 32 foot fiberglass in-ground pool, standard residential scope, $30,000 contractor scope. Pool barrier permitted separately or via existing code-compliant fence.

Fairfax County (flat-fee pool + 2% levy + 10% tech):

  • Building permit (flat in-ground pool, Appendix Q I-B(M)): $83.50
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $83.50: $1.67
  • 10% Fairfax technology surcharge on $83.50: $8.35
  • Fairfax all-in: $93.52

Virginia Beach (pool = alteration formula $50 + $5/$1k):

  • Building permit ($50 + 30 x $5): $200.00
  • Full plan review (pool scope, $100): $100.00
  • Technology fee: $10.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $200: $4.00
  • VB all-in: $314.00

Fairfax saves $220.48 on this $30,000 pool - a category Fairfax wins, because its flat pool permit ignores value while VB's alteration formula scales with it. Pool barrier and trade permits (electrical pool grounding, plumbing fill/drain) excluded from both totals.

Example 4: 500 sq ft heated addition, $80,000 declared

Project: 20 x 25 foot heated family room addition with HVAC tie-in, $80,000 contractor scope. Counter-review eligible in VB (under 500 sq ft, plan set under 5 pages).

Fairfax County (addition = 3% formula):

  • Building permit (500 sq ft x $0.15 = $75.00, below $141.75 minimum): $141.75
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $141.75: $2.84
  • 10% Fairfax technology surcharge on $141.75: $14.18
  • Fairfax all-in: $158.77

Virginia Beach (heated addition = $50 + $7/100 sq ft, counter review):

  • Building permit ($50 + 500 sq ft / 100 x $7): $85.00
  • Counter plan review (up to 500 sq ft, 5 pages): $25.00
  • Technology fee: $10.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $85: $1.70
  • VB all-in: $121.70

Virginia Beach saves $37.07 on this 500 sq ft addition. Both jurisdictions price a heated addition by floor area, so the $80,000 declared value sets neither fee; Fairfax floors at its $141.75 minimum up to 945 sq ft, and Virginia Beach's lower base plus $25 counter review keeps it ahead.

Note: counter review in VB is contingent on plan set being 5 pages or fewer and the work area being 500 sq ft or under. Larger plan sets or work areas use the full $100 plan review.

Example 5: 2,000 sq ft / $400,000 new single-family detached home

Project: New 2-story single-family detached residence, 2,000 sq ft, wood frame construction (VA/VB type), $400,000 contractor scope.

Fairfax County (new construction = $0.15/sq ft + 2% levy + 10% tech surcharge):

  • Building permit (2,000 sq ft x $0.15): $300.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $300: $6.00
  • 10% Fairfax technology surcharge on $300: $30.00
  • Fairfax all-in: $336.00

Virginia Beach (heated new construction = $50 + $7/100 sq ft, full PR over 500 sq ft):

  • Building permit ($50 + 2,000 sq ft / 100 x $7): $190.00
  • Full plan review (over 500 sq ft, no counter): $100.00
  • Technology fee: $10.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $190: $3.80
  • VB all-in: $303.80

Virginia Beach saves $32.20 on this 2,000 sq ft home. Virginia Beach is cheaper only above about 1,667 sq ft: past 945 sq ft Fairfax's all-in runs $0.168 per sq ft against VB's roughly $161 + $0.0714 per sq ft, and the two lines cross near 1,667 sq ft. Below that Fairfax is cheaper - its $158.77 minimum floor undercuts VB's $161-plus minimum (800 sq ft: VB $218.12 vs Fairfax $158.77), and at 1,500 sq ft Fairfax is $252.00 vs VB $268.10.

Decision Rule - Which Jurisdiction Wins by Project Type

Picking between Fairfax County and Virginia Beach is rarely a relocation decision (these are different metros: NOVA vs Hampton Roads, approximately 200 miles apart). The pattern below summarizes which jurisdiction wins by project type for relocation cost research, regional contractor scope estimating, and project planning context.

Project Type Fairfax Method VB Method Winner
Deck (any size/value) 3% of value + 2% levy + 10% tech $50 + $4/100 sq ft + $25 counter + $10 + 2% Virginia Beach
Kitchen / bath alteration (any typical value) 3% of value + 2% levy + 10% tech $50 + $5/$1k + $100 PR + $10 + 2% Virginia Beach
In-ground pool ($25k+) $83.50 flat + 2% levy + 10% tech = $93.52 $50 + $5/$1k of value + $100 PR + $10 + 2% Fairfax
In-ground pool (under $5k) $83.50 flat + $1.67 levy + $8.35 tech = $93.52 (size-independent) $50 + $5/$1k formula (about $161 minimum with $100 PR + $10) Fairfax
Heated addition (any size) $0.15/sq ft ($141.75 min) + 2% levy + 10% tech $50 + $7/100 sq ft + PR + $10 + 2% Virginia Beach up to 500 sq ft and above ~1,667 sq ft; Fairfax in between
New SFD up to 945 sq ft $141.75 minimum + 2% levy + 10% tech = $158.77 $50 + $7/100 sq ft + $100 + $10 + 2% Fairfax
New SFD over 945 sq ft $0.15/sq ft x 1.12 = $0.168/sq ft scales $50 + $7/100 sq ft scales Fairfax to ~1,667 sq ft; Virginia Beach above
Shed 256 sq ft or under (no utilities) EXEMPT (no permit) Not separately published; verify scope Fairfax (exempt)
Shed over 256 sq ft (with electrical) 3% of value + 2% levy + 10% tech Accessory under alteration formula + PR Virginia Beach
Demolition $141.75 flat (entire structure) + 2% levy + 10% tech = $158.77; partial demolition 3% of cost Not itemized on residential summary - verify with department Verify VB scope

"Counter review" in VB applies to additions/alterations/accessory structures up to 500 sq ft work area and 5-page plan set, plus any-size uncovered decks. The $75 savings vs full $100 PR is significant for projects that qualify. Demolition fee is not itemized on the VB Residential Permit Fees PDF; verify with Permits and Inspections Division at (757) 385-4211 before filing.

Fee Structure Comparison - Side by Side

The structural difference between Fairfax and Virginia Beach isn't just the rates - it's the entire approach to permit pricing. The table below documents the pricing levers each jurisdiction uses.

Fee Component Fairfax County, VA Virginia Beach City, VA
Pricing model (residential) 3% of declared value (alteration, deck, shed, partial demolition); $0.15/sq ft (addition, garage, new home); flat (pool, whole-structure demolition) Sq-ft (decks, additions), value-based (alterations, pools), flat (some specialty)
Deck pricing 3% of declared value, $141.75 min $50 base + $4 per 100 sq ft (uncovered deck formula)
Alteration pricing 3% of declared value, $141.75 min $50 base + $5 per $1,000 of declared value
Heated addition pricing $0.15 per sq ft (wood frame), $141.75 min $50 base + $7 per 100 sq ft (heated formula)
New construction $0.15-$0.28 per sq ft by construction type $50 + $7 per 100 sq ft (same as heated addition)
Plan review 50% of permit fee collected at application as a deposit, credited at issuance (not added) $100 full, or $25 counter (up to 500 sq ft / 5 pages, plus any size uncovered deck)
Technology fee 10% of building permit fee (Appendix Q Part III) $10 flat per permit (non-refundable)
State levy base 2% on building permit fee 2% on building permit fee only
In-ground pool $83.50 flat + 2% levy + 10% tech = $93.52 $50 + $5/$1k alteration formula
Minimum permit fee $141.75 building permit ($158.77 all-in) $50 base fee built into formulas
Online portal PLUS (plus.fairfaxcounty.gov) Accela Citizen Access (CVB)
Online review turnaround Not published; typical 2-4 weeks 3 days initial; 3 days revision (published)
Source verification date September 18, 2026 April 24, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Three structural reasons. (1) Fairfax's 3% rate yields an effective 3.36% rate on declared value once the 2% state levy and 10% technology surcharge are added. Virginia Beach's alteration rate is essentially 0.5% (and its sq-ft pricing for decks and additions is effectively flat at typical residential project sizes). (2) Fairfax's 10% technology surcharge scales with the building permit, so larger projects amplify it, while Virginia Beach's technology fee is a flat $10 and its plan review is a flat $100 (or $25 counter for projects under 500 sq ft and 5 plan-set pages) - decoupled from project value. Fairfax's 50% plan review filing fee is a deposit credited toward the permit fee at issuance (County Code 61-1-3(d)11), so it does not add to the Fairfax total. (3) Virginia Beach's $25 counter review applies to essentially every typical residential deck and small-addition scenario, providing additional savings of $75 vs the full $100 plan review. The combined effect: Virginia Beach is the structurally cheapest verified Virginia jurisdiction for decks, alterations and small additions at typical homeowner values.
Yes - three scenarios. First, in-ground pools: Fairfax's flat $83.50 pool permit ($93.52 all-in with the levy and technology surcharge) undercuts Virginia Beach's value formula ($314.00 at $30,000; VB's minimum with full plan review and the $10 fee is about $161), so Fairfax saves $220.48 on a $30,000 pool. Second, heated additions and new homes between roughly 500 and 1,667 sq ft, where Virginia Beach's full $100 plan review applies: Fairfax's $158.77 floor beats VB's $218.12 at 800 sq ft, and at 1,500 sq ft Fairfax is $252.00 vs VB $268.10; above about 1,667 sq ft Virginia Beach is cheaper again (2,000 sq ft: VB $303.80 vs Fairfax $336.00). Third, residential storage sheds 256 sq ft or under with no plumbing or electrical: Fairfax explicitly exempts these from permit requirements ($0 fee). Virginia Beach's residential summary does not publish an equivalent shed exemption threshold, so verify scope with VB Permits and Inspections before assuming. Pools and mid-size new construction aside, these are narrow edge cases; for decks, alterations and small additions, Virginia Beach wins by a significant margin.
Counter review eligibility is published on the Virginia Beach Residential Permit Fees PDF: additions up to 500 sq ft work area with plan set up to 5 pages; alterations up to 500 sq ft work area with plan set up to 5 pages; accessory structures (sheds, detached garages) up to 500 sq ft with plan set up to 5 pages; uncovered decks at any size with plan set up to 5 pages. Projects exceeding these limits pay the full $100 plan review. The $75 savings ($100 full PR minus $25 counter) applies to almost every typical residential deck and small addition scenario, which is why Virginia Beach's effective project cost is so much lower than Fairfax for these categories. For larger projects (additions over 500 sq ft, new SFD construction), the full $100 plan review applies in VB and is a flat charge, unlike Fairfax's percentage-based permit fee.
Fairfax's trade permits are itemized in Appendix Q FY2027: a residential alteration electrical permit (up to 100 fixtures, circuits or equipment items) is $141.75, which becomes $158.77 with the 2% levy and 10% technology surcharge; mechanical is priced by zone count from $141.75 (1 zone) through $277.20 (2), $415.80 (3), $553.35 (4) to $693.00 (5+), plus the same 12% add-ons; plumbing is priced by fixture count (confirm the current tier with LDS at 703-222-0801). Trade permits carry no plan review filing fee. Each Fairfax trade permit pays its own 2% Virginia state levy and 10% technology surcharge. Virginia Beach's Residential Permit Fees PDF does not separately publish trade permit tier schedules - trades are filed separately at the Permits and Inspections counter, and you would need to call (757) 385-4211 or check at filing for current trade permit rates. For accurate project cost comparison including trades, plan to add $100-$1,000 in trade permits to either jurisdiction depending on scope (single circuit + single fixture = floor; full kitchen with HVAC tie-in = ceiling).
The Virginia Beach $10 technology fee is a flat per-permit fee assessed on every permit application, regardless of project type or size. The fee funds VB's online permit portal (Accela Citizen Access) and back-office IT infrastructure. The fee is non-refundable per VB's published refund policy - even if the permit is canceled before issuance, the technology fee is retained. Fairfax does not charge an equivalent technology fee in Appendix Q. For most homeowner projects the $10 is negligible relative to the building permit; for very small permits (e.g., a 100 sq ft uncovered deck at $58 building permit) the $10 represents a more significant fraction of the total.
Virginia Beach publishes a 3-day online initial review turnaround and a 3-day online revision turnaround on the Residential Permit Fees PDF. Fairfax does not publish a guaranteed turnaround. The structural difference is that VB's counter review (for projects up to 500 sq ft) is designed to be reviewed quickly, often same-day or next-day at the Permits and Inspections counter. Fairfax's PLUS portal review depends on submission completeness and current Land Development Services backlog; typical residential projects clear in 2-4 weeks but complex multi-trade projects may take 6-10 weeks. For homeowners on aggressive contractor schedules, the published VB 3-day turnaround can be a significant operational advantage independent of the permit fee cost itself.
Three realistic scenarios: (1) Relocation between NOVA and Hampton Roads where the homeowner is comparing the cost of a planned addition or pool in either market - useful for relocation cost research. (2) A regional contractor pricing identical residential scopes across NOVA and Hampton Roads clients and wanting to understand permit-cost variance for budgeting and bid preparation. (3) Real estate investment research comparing build-out costs across Virginia metros. For a homeowner already committed to a specific jurisdiction, the relevant comparison is usually neighbors within the same metro (Fairfax vs Loudoun/Prince William, or Virginia Beach vs Norfolk/Chesapeake/Hampton). This page is most useful for the relocation-comparison and regional-contractor use cases.
No. The all-in totals in this comparison include only the building permit fee, plan review, technology fee (VB only), and the 2% Virginia state levy. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately - Fairfax itemizes them in Appendix Q with explicit tier schedules; VB's residential summary does not separately list trade permit fees but they exist as separate filings. HOA architectural review fees are private and vary by community. Resource Protection Area (RPA) review fees, Stormwater Management Plan (VSMP) fees, and zoning special-permit fees may apply for new construction or large additions but are not modeled in the residential summary fee schedules. Always confirm scope with each jurisdiction's permit desk and your sub-contractors before treating these figures as a final budget.

Sources

Official .gov Sources - Verified April-September 2026
  • Appendix Q - Land Development Services Fee Schedule (FY2027) Appendix Q FY2027 (amendment 05-26-Q), effective July 1, 2026 - Fairfax County Land Development Services - Primary source for the 3% residential percentage-of-construction-value formula, $0.15/sq ft area-based rates (Table 1), $141.75 minimum, 10% technology surcharge (Part III), filing-fee deposit credited at issuance (County Code 61-1-3(d)11), flat $83.50 pool permit and trade permit schedules - Verified September 18, 2026 against the PDF on fairfaxcounty.gov/landdevelopment Verified
  • Residential Building Permits - City of Virginia Beach rev. Jul-2025 PDF on planning.virginiabeach.gov - City of Virginia Beach Planning Department, Permits and Inspections Division - Primary source for the heated formula ($50 + $7/100 sq ft), deck/non-heated formula ($50 + $4/100 sq ft), alteration formula ($50 + $5/$1,000), plan review tiers (full $100 / counter $25), technology fee ($10), and 2% state levy application - Verified April 24, 2026 via Playwright authenticated fetch from S3 bucket virginia-beach-departments-docs Verified
  • Code of Virginia Section 36-139 - USBC State Levy Authority Current - Virginia General Assembly - Authorizing statute for the statewide 2% building permit surcharge applied in both Fairfax and Virginia Beach
Next Step

Open the calculator, dive into each jurisdiction's full permit fee page, or browse related comparisons.

Always verify current permit fees directly with Fairfax County Land Development Services and Virginia Beach Permits and Inspections Division before budgeting or filing. Fairfax's Appendix Q is dated FY2027 (effective July 1, 2026); a FY2026 renewal is expected by July 1, 2025. Virginia Beach's Residential Permit Fees PDF is dated rev. Jul-2025 and is the current published rate sheet as of April 24, 2026. Call Fairfax LDS at (703) 222-0801 or Virginia Beach Permits and Inspections at (757) 385-4211 to confirm rates and project classification before submitting an application.
Disclaimer: All fee information on PermitPrice is for informational purposes only and is not an official permit quotation. Actual permit fees are determined by the building department at the time of application. Trade permit subtotals are not included in the all-in totals; expect $100-$1,000 in additional trade permit fees per project depending on electrical, plumbing, and mechanical scope. Under Appendix Q FY2027 a Fairfax residential alteration electrical permit is $141.75 ($158.77 with the 2% levy and 10% technology surcharge); mechanical starts at $141.75 (1-zone tier) plus the same add-ons; plumbing is priced by fixture count (confirm the current tier with LDS). Virginia Beach trade permits are not separately published on the Residential Permit Fees PDF; verify with Permits and Inspections Division before filing. Project-type classification (alteration vs new construction vs garage vs shed) and plan-set size can shift counter-vs-full plan review eligibility in Virginia Beach; confirm scope before relying on these comparison figures.

Written by: Munib Ur Rehman

Data verified against official fee schedule documents.