Washington DC vs Henrico County Building Permit Fees (2026)

Side-by-side residential building permit fee comparison between Washington, DC (federal district, DMV-DC anchor) and Henrico County (Richmond-MSA suburb, FIPS 51087) for decks, kitchen alterations, sheds, in-ground pools, and new single-family construction. DC's Department of Buildings uses a 4-tier alteration valuation formula ($30 base + 2% of construction value $1,001-$1M) with a universal 10% Enhanced Fee on every line item plus a separate Green Building Fee (0.13% of value on alterations $1,001-$1M, or $0.002 per sq ft on new construction). New construction and additions are priced at $0.03 per cubic foot. Henrico County uses one single value-based formula across all 1-2 family projects: $100 base + $6 per $1,000 of declared value over $5,000, capped at $680 building permit (cap activates at $101,667 declared value), with the 2% Virginia state levy on top. Plan review is bundled into the permit fee in both jurisdictions. DC wins on flat-fee categories (sheds, fences, in-ground pools up to 15,000 gallons) and on new single-family detached construction priced by cubic foot. Henrico wins on mid-value alterations, additions, and any deck above approximately $2,200 declared value. The structures show DMV federal-district complexity vs Richmond-suburb single-formula simplicity with a hard cap.

$15k Deck (200 sq ft)

DC $384.45 vs Henrico $163.20

$30k Kitchen Alteration

DC $735.90 vs Henrico $255.00

320 sq ft Shed ($8k)

DC $71.50 vs Henrico $120.36

2,000 sq ft New SFD ($400k)

DC $532.40 vs Henrico $693.60

DC Source

dob.dc.gov live (April 2026)

Henrico Source

henrico.gov (Dec 2025)

What This Comparison Covers - and What It Does Not

This comparison covers: Residential building permit fees in Washington, DC and Henrico County, Virginia, for the most common project types - decks (alteration Tier 3 in DC, single residential formula in Henrico), kitchen and bath alterations, sheds (flat $65 + 10% Enhanced in DC; residential formula floor in Henrico), in-ground swimming pools up to 15,000 gallons (flat $260 + 10% in DC; same formula in Henrico), and new single-family construction (per cubic foot in DC; flat $680 building permit in Henrico). Both jurisdictions are verified from official .gov sources. DC source: live page on dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 captured April 25, 2026. Henrico source: henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/ verified December 2025, fee schedule updated December 17, 2025.

This comparison does NOT cover: Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) - filed separately in both jurisdictions and itemized per unit/fixture/circuit in DC; Henrico charges $100 per trade permit at the residential summary level. DC's Filing Deposit (50% of assessed permit fee, max $20,000) for new construction is mentioned but excluded from the all-in totals since it is credited toward the final permit fee at issuance. Zoning approvals, HOA approvals, RPA review, VSMP land disturbance permits, and contractor labor/material costs are excluded from both jurisdictions. DC's Repeat Technical Review fee ($71.50 for single-family if plans are rejected and resubmitted) is excluded from first-pass totals.

What makes this comparison meaningful: Two opposite pricing philosophies. DC layers four tools - a 4-tier alteration valuation formula, per-cubic-foot pricing for new construction and additions, flat fees for accessory structures (pools, sheds, fences, garages, awnings), plus a universal 10% Enhanced Fee on every line and a separate Green Building Fee on alterations and new construction. Henrico uses one single value-based formula ($100 + $6 per $1,000 over $5,000) capped at $680 building permit across every residential project type - decks, additions, sheds, garages, pools, demolitions, and alterations all run through the same formula. The cap activates at $101,667 declared value, freezing the all-in at $693.60. The result is a category-by-category crossover that favors DC on flat-fee accessory structures and on new construction priced by cubic foot, but favors Henrico on every mid-value alteration and addition where DC's tier 3 + Enhanced + GBF stack outpaces Henrico's modest single formula.

Source verification: DC's fee schedule is a live page (not a dated PDF) and was captured April 25, 2026. Henrico's residential permit fee schedule on henrico.gov was last updated December 17, 2025 and verified December 2025; the residential permits page was last updated 2026-03-16 with no formula changes. For load-bearing budgets confirm with DOB Customer Service (202-671-3500) or Henrico County Department of Building Inspections (804-501-4360) before filing.

Key Takeaways

Mid-value alterations and additions: Henrico wins decisively. At $30,000 declared value, DC's Tier 3 alteration formula ($30 + 2% + 10% Enhanced + 0.13% Green Building Fee + 10% Enhanced on the GBF) reaches $735.90 all-in, while Henrico's single formula yields $250 building permit + 2% levy = $255.00 all-in. Henrico saves $480.90, about 65% cheaper.
Decks: Henrico wins at any typical residential value. A $15,000 deck pays $363.00 building permit + $21.45 Green Building Fee = $384.45 in DC vs $160 + $3.20 levy = $163.20 in Henrico. The alteration-formula crossover where DC equals Henrico sits at approximately $2,200 declared value - below that DC's Tier 3 is briefly cheaper; above that Henrico's modest $100 base dominates.
Sheds: DC wins by a meaningful margin. DC's $65 + 10% = $71.50 flat fee for "garage or shed (new)" applies regardless of declared value, while Henrico runs sheds through the same residential formula (minimum $100 base + 2% levy = $102 floor; a 320 sq ft shed at $8,000 declared pays $118 + $2.36 = $120.36). DC saves $48.86 on a typical residential shed - the rare structural advantage DC holds over a Virginia jurisdiction.
In-ground pools (up to 15,000 gallons): Crossover at approximately $35,065 declared value. DC charges a flat $260 + 10% = $286.00 regardless of declared value; Henrico runs pools through the residential formula. At $30,000 pool declared, Henrico = $250 + $5 levy = $255.00 saving $31.00. At $50,000 pool declared, Henrico = $370 + $7.40 levy = $377.40 and DC's flat $286 wins by $91.40. DC's pool flat fee is structurally insensitive to project value, which favors high-end pools.
New SFD construction: DC wins. DC's volume-priced new construction ($0.03/cubic foot + $0.002/sq ft Green Building Fee + 10% Enhanced) yields $532.40 for a 2,000 sq ft / $400,000 home. Henrico's residential schedule charges a flat $680 building permit for new single-family detached construction (the cap rate, not the formula), plus 2% levy = $693.60 all-in. DC saves $161.20 on the typical 2,000 sq ft home and the gap widens for smaller homes (DC's pricing keeps scaling down while Henrico stays at $693.60).
Hard cap is structural: Henrico's $680 cap on the building permit (cap activates at $101,667 declared value) means any project over that threshold pays exactly $693.60 all-in regardless of value. DC has no equivalent cap - Tier 3 alterations keep climbing to $20,030 building permit at $1,000,000 declared value, then jump to Tier 4 ($10,030 + 1% of value over $1M). For a $500,000 alteration, DC = ($30 + $10,000) × 1.10 + ($650) × 1.10 = $11,033 + $715 = $11,748 all-in vs Henrico's frozen $693.60. Henrico's cap is the single largest structural advantage in the comparison.
Surcharge philosophy: DC's universal 10% Enhanced Fee applies to every line item including flat-fee categories (sheds, fences, pools), the Green Building Fee itself, and the filing deposit. Virginia's 2% state levy applies to the building permit only and not to separate fees. For a $30,000 alteration: DC stacks $63 of Enhanced ($30 on base + $33 on alteration + extras) plus the GBF's own 10% surcharge; Henrico stacks only $5 of state levy on the $250 building permit. The surcharge gap alone explains roughly half of DC's premium on mid-value alterations.
Decision rule: Pick DC if your project is a shed, fence, garage, small pool, or new single-family detached construction at typical residential size. Pick Henrico if your project is any deck, any mid-value alteration ($5,000-$100,000), any addition, or any project that benefits from the $680 cap. The two jurisdictions are not realistic relocation alternatives (different metros, different states), but for regional contractor pricing or cross-MSA budget research the decision-rule pattern is consistent and verifiable.

Calculate Your Permit All DC Permit Fees All Henrico 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 DC's tier-formula plus 10% Enhanced and Henrico's single value-based formula capped at $680. All-in totals include the building permit, plan review (bundled in both jurisdictions), Enhanced Fee or state levy, and any jurisdiction processing or supplemental fees. 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, no electrical, $15,000 contractor scope.

Washington, DC (treated as alteration Tier 3):

Tier 3 alteration ($1,001-$1M): $30 base + 2% x $15,000 = $330.00
10% Enhanced Fee on $330: $33.00
Green Building Fee (0.13% x $15,000 + 10% Enhanced): $21.45
DC all-in: $384.45

Henrico County (residential formula):

Building permit ($100 + $6 x 10): $160.00
Plan review (bundled, no separate line): $0.00
2% Virginia state levy on $160: $3.20
Henrico all-in: $163.20

Henrico saves $221.25 on this $15,000 deck - approximately 58% cheaper than DC's Tier 3 alteration treatment.

Example 2: $30,000 kitchen alteration

Project: Full kitchen remodel with cabinet replacement, countertops, appliance reset, and minor framing for a relocated island. $30,000 contractor scope, no footprint change.

Washington, DC (alteration Tier 3):

Tier 3 alteration ($1,001-$1M): $30 base + 2% x $30,000 = $630.00
10% Enhanced Fee on $630: $63.00
Green Building Fee (0.13% x $30,000 + 10% Enhanced): $42.90
DC all-in: $735.90

Henrico County (residential formula):

Building permit ($100 + $6 x 25): $250.00
Plan review (bundled, no separate line): $0.00
2% Virginia state levy on $250: $5.00
Henrico all-in: $255.00

Henrico saves $480.90 on this $30,000 kitchen alteration - approximately 65% cheaper than DC. This is the headline scenario: mid-value alterations are where DC's Tier 3 + Enhanced + GBF stack widens the gap the most before Henrico's $680 cap activates.

Example 3: $30,000 in-ground swimming pool (under 15,000 gallons)

Project: Residential in-ground vinyl-liner pool, approximately 12,000 gallons, with attached deck (deck permitted separately), no spa. $30,000 contractor scope for the pool shell, plumbing, and electrical bond.

Washington, DC (flat pool fee for residential pools ≤15K gallons):

Pool (≤15K gallons) flat: $260.00
10% Enhanced Fee on $260: $26.00
Green Building Fee: $0.00 (not applicable to flat-fee pool category)
DC all-in: $286.00

Henrico County (residential formula applies to pools):

Building permit ($100 + $6 x 25): $250.00
Plan review (bundled, no separate line): $0.00
2% Virginia state levy on $250: $5.00
Henrico all-in: $255.00

Henrico saves $31.00 on this $30,000 pool - a narrow win because DC's $286 pool flat fee is structurally value-insensitive. Note: DC pools do not receive the Green Building Fee because the GBF only applies to alterations $1,001-$1,000,000 and to new construction, not to flat-fee accessory categories.

Crossover note: at approximately $35,065 declared value, Henrico's pool cost equals DC's $286. Below that value, Henrico is cheaper. Above that, DC's flat-fee pool wins because Henrico's formula keeps scaling up to the $680 cap.

Example 4: 320 sq ft detached shed at $8,000 declared

Project: 16 x 20 foot detached storage shed with two lighting circuits and a duplex outlet, $8,000 contractor scope.

Washington, DC (flat-fee garage/shed line):

Garage or shed (new) flat: $65.00
10% Enhanced Fee on $65: $6.50
Green Building Fee: $0.00 (not applicable to flat-fee shed category)
DC all-in: $71.50

Henrico County (residential formula applies to sheds):

Building permit ($100 + $6 x 3): $118.00
Plan review (bundled, no separate line): $0.00
2% Virginia state levy on $118: $2.36
Henrico all-in: $120.36

DC saves $48.86 on this 320 sq ft shed. This is the unusual reversal: DC's $65 flat shed line bypasses the alteration math, while Henrico runs every project type through the same value-based formula. For typical residential sheds DC is one of the cheapest verified shed permits in the country.

Note: trade permits for the two electrical circuits are excluded from this comparison. In DC, the electrical scope likely qualifies for the Instant Permit at $22 each. In Henrico, electrical sub-permits run $100 per trade permit at the residential summary level.

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, $400,000 contractor scope, 8 ft ceiling height (16,000 cubic feet).

Washington, DC (per-cubic-foot new construction):

New construction (16,000 cu ft x $0.03): $480.00
Green Building Fee (2,000 sq ft x $0.002): $4.00
10% Enhanced Fee on $484: $48.40
DC all-in: $532.40

Henrico County (flat-fee new SFD):

New SFD building permit (flat): $680.00
Plan review (bundled, no separate line): $0.00
2% Virginia state levy on $680: $13.60
Henrico all-in: $693.60

DC saves $161.20 on this 2,000 sq ft new home. Note: DC's filing deposit (50% of permit fee, max $20,000) is credited toward the final fee at issuance and excluded from the all-in. Henrico's $680 flat new SFD fee matches the cap rate, so it does not change with declared value - whether the home costs $200,000 or $1,500,000 to build, the Henrico permit is $693.60.

Decision Rule - Which Jurisdiction Wins by Project Type

Picking between DC and Henrico is rarely a relocation decision (different metros, different states), but for cross-border project planning, regional contractor scope comparison, or relocation cost research, the pattern below summarizes which jurisdiction wins by project type and value range.

Project Type	DC Method	Henrico Method	Winner
Small alteration under $5,000	Tier 1/2/3: $33-$66 + 10% Enhanced	$100 base + 2% levy = $102 floor	DC
Mid alteration $5,000-$50,000	$30 + 2% + 10% Enhanced + GBF	$100 + $6/$1K formula + 2% levy	Henrico
Large alteration $100,000+	$30 + 2% climbs to $20K building permit at $1M	Cap activates at $101,667 = $693.60 all-in	Henrico
Pool (≤15,000 gal) under $35K declared	$260 flat + 10% Enhanced = $286.00	$100 + $6/$1K formula + 2% levy	Henrico
Pool (≤15,000 gal) over $35K declared	$260 flat + 10% Enhanced = $286.00 (value-insensitive)	Formula keeps scaling to $680 cap	DC
Shed (any size)	$65 flat + 10% Enhanced = $71.50	$100 + $6/$1K formula + 2% levy	DC
Fence on private property	$33 flat + 10% Enhanced = $36.30	Not separately published; falls under residential formula	DC
New SFD (2,000 sq ft typical)	$0.03/cu ft + GBF + 10% Enhanced	$680 flat + 2% levy = $693.60	DC
Addition under cap ($30K-$100K declared)	$0.03/cu ft + GBF + 10% (volume-priced)	$100 + $6/$1K formula + 2% levy	Depends on volume
Demolition (1-2 family)	Alteration tier or separate demo fee	$100 + $6/$1K formula capped at $680	Henrico

Crossover for alterations sits at approximately $2,200 declared value - below that DC's Tier 3 formula is briefly cheaper; above that Henrico's modest $100 base dominates. Crossover for pools sits at approximately $35,065 declared value due to DC's flat-fee pool category. The new SFD comparison is DC-cheaper for any 1,000+ sq ft typical home; for very large homes (4,000+ sq ft) DC's per-cubic-foot pricing approaches Henrico's flat $680 but does not exceed it until approximately 4,300 sq ft of 8-ft-ceiling living area.

Fee Structure Comparison - Side by Side

The structural difference between DC and Henrico isn't just the rates - it's the entire approach to permit pricing. DC layers four pricing tools (tier formula, per-cubic-foot, category flat fees, universal surcharge) while Henrico relies on one single value-based formula with a hard cap. The table below documents the pricing levers each jurisdiction uses.

Fee Component	Washington, DC	Henrico County, VA
Pricing model	4-tier alteration valuation + per-cu-ft new construction + flat-rate pools/sheds/fences/garages/awnings	Single value-based formula across all residential project types, capped at $680
Alteration formula	Tier 1: $33 (under $500); Tier 2: $65 ($501-$1K); Tier 3: $30 + 2% ($1,001-$1M); Tier 4: $10,030 + 1% (over $1M)	$100 base + $6 per $1,000 over $5,000 (capped at $680)
New construction	$0.03 per cubic foot	$680 flat per new SFD
Plan review	Built into permit fee (no separate line); repeat technical review $71.50 if rejected	Built into permit fee (no separate line)
Universal surcharge	10% Enhanced Fee on every line item (including GBF)	2% Virginia state levy on building permit only
Green / environmental fee	Green Building Fee: 0.13% on alterations $1,001-$1M, $0.002/sq ft on new construction	None at the residential permit level
Filing deposit	50% of permit fee, max $20,000 (new construction only); credited at issuance	None
Hard cap	None (Tier 4 keeps climbing at 1%)	$680 building permit / $693.60 all-in (cap activates at $101,667 declared value)
Minimum permit fee	$33 + 10% = $36.30 (Tier 1 alteration under $500)	$100 + 2% = $102.00 (formula floor at $5,000 declared)
Pools (in-ground residential, ≤15K gal)	$260 + 10% = $286.00 (size up to 15K gal)	Single formula applies (no dedicated pool line)
Sheds (residential)	$65 + 10% = $71.50 (size-independent)	Single formula applies (no dedicated shed line)
Source verification date	April 25, 2026 (live page)	December 2025 (schedule updated 2025-12-17)

Crossover Analysis - Where DC and Henrico Trade Places

The DC-vs-Henrico decision is not a single answer - it depends entirely on project type and declared value. Three crossover thresholds determine the outcome.

Alteration crossover: approximately $2,200 declared value

Setting DC's Tier 3 alteration math equal to Henrico's residential formula:

DC = (30 + 0.02V) x 1.10 + (0.0013V) x 1.10 = 33 + 0.02343V
Henrico = (100 + 6(V/1000 - 5)) x 1.02 = (70 + 0.006V) x 1.02 = 71.40 + 0.00612V

Solving 33 + 0.02343V = 71.40 + 0.00612V gives V ≈ $2,219. Below that, DC's Tier 3 formula is briefly cheaper than Henrico's $100 floor. Above $2,200 declared, Henrico is cheaper - and the gap widens fast. At $10,000 declared, Henrico saves approximately $135; at $30,000 declared, Henrico saves $480.90; at $100,000 declared, Henrico's cap activates and Henrico saves over $1,700 vs DC's still-climbing Tier 3 math.

Pool crossover: approximately $35,065 declared value

DC's pool fee is a value-insensitive flat $260 + 10% Enhanced = $286.00 for pools up to 15,000 gallons. Henrico runs pools through the residential formula. Setting them equal:

286.00 = (100 + 6(V/1000 - 5)) x 1.02
280.39 = 70 + 0.006V
V = ~$35,065

Below approximately $35,065 declared value, Henrico is cheaper than DC's flat pool fee. Above that, DC's $286 wins because Henrico's formula keeps scaling. For high-end pools approaching the $101,667 cap activation, DC's flat $286 saves homeowners approximately $407 vs Henrico's capped $693.60. The crossover is one of the few project-type categories where DC's flat-fee pricing structurally favors higher-value installations.

New SFD crossover: approximately 4,300 sq ft

DC's per-cubic-foot new construction pricing scales with project volume. Henrico charges a flat $680 building permit + 2% levy = $693.60 regardless of home size. Setting them equal at 8 ft ceiling height (cubic feet = sq ft x 8):

DC = (SqFt x 8 x 0.03 + SqFt x 0.002) x 1.10 = (0.24 SqFt + 0.002 SqFt) x 1.10 = 0.2662 SqFt
Henrico = 693.60
SqFt = 693.60 / 0.2662 ≈ 2,605 sq ft (before GBF; including GBF ≈ 2,605 sq ft)

Note: the exact crossover depends on Green Building Fee inclusion. With GBF folded in, DC equals Henrico's $693.60 at approximately 2,605 sq ft. Below that, DC is cheaper; above that, Henrico's flat $693.60 cap wins. For typical 2,000 sq ft homes DC is cheaper by $161.20; for large 3,500 sq ft homes Henrico is cheaper by approximately $237; for very large 5,000 sq ft homes Henrico saves approximately $637. The new SFD comparison swings on home size more than any other category.

Structural philosophy summary

DC stacks four pricing tools: a 4-tier alteration valuation formula; per-cubic-foot pricing for new construction and additions; flat fees for accessory structures (pool, shed, fence, garage, awning); plus a universal 10% Enhanced Fee on every line and a separate Green Building Fee on alterations and new construction. The result is a granular fee schedule that rewards small alterations and small accessory structures (low absolute base fees) but punishes mid-value alterations (Tier 3 + Enhanced + GBF stack).

Henrico uses one formula: $100 base + $6 per $1,000 over $5,000, capped at $680 building permit. The same formula applies to decks, porches, sheds, garages, swimming pools, demolitions, additions, and alterations. New SFD construction is priced at $680 flat (the cap rate, not the formula). The 2% Virginia state levy is applied to the building permit only. Plan review is bundled. The result is a simple fee schedule that is mid-priced for low-value projects (the $100 floor exceeds DC's $33 Tier 1), competitive for mid-value projects, and structurally cheap for high-value projects due to the $680 cap.

The trade-off: DC favors specialized accessory categories and small alterations; Henrico favors mid-value and high-value alterations, additions, and any project that hits the cap. Neither model is universally better - the right choice depends on project type and declared value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does DC win on category-flat projects like sheds, fences, and pools under 15,000 gallons?

DC publishes dedicated flat fees for accessory structures: $65 for garage or shed (new), $33 for fence on private property, $260 for in-ground pool up to 15,000 gallons. These flat fees bypass DC's tier 3 alteration math entirely. Henrico runs every residential project type through the same value-based formula ($100 base + $6 per $1,000 over $5,000), so even a low-value shed pays the $100 floor + 2% levy. For a 320 sq ft shed at $8,000 declared: DC's $65 + 10% Enhanced = $71.50; Henrico's $100 + $6 x 3 + 2% levy = $120.36. DC saves $48.86. For an in-ground pool at $30,000 declared value: DC's $260 + 10% = $286.00; Henrico's $100 + $6 x 25 + 2% levy = $255.00 - Henrico still wins under the pool crossover, but only narrowly. Above $35,065 declared pool value, DC wins. The structural lesson: DC's category flat fees decouple permit cost from project value for accessory categories, which favors high-value installations.

Why is Henrico's $680 cap a structural advantage for large projects?

Henrico's residential building permit fee is capped at $680 ($693.60 all-in with the 2% Virginia state levy). The cap activates at $101,667 declared value: at that point the formula's $6 per $1,000 increment hits $680 and stops growing. Every project above $101,667 - whether $200,000, $500,000, or $5,000,000 - pays exactly $693.60 all-in. DC has no equivalent cap. DC's Tier 3 alteration math ($30 + 2% of declared value) keeps climbing through $1,000,000 declared (where it reaches $20,030 building permit), then transitions to Tier 4 ($10,030 + 1% of value over $1M). For a $500,000 alteration: DC = ($30 + $10,000) x 1.10 + ($650) x 1.10 = $11,033 + $715 = $11,748 all-in (before filing deposit) vs Henrico's frozen $693.60. For a $1,000,000 alteration: DC = $22,033 + $1,430 GBF + 10% Enhanced = $23,606.30 vs Henrico's still-$693.60. The cap is by far the most consequential structural difference between the two jurisdictions for high-value projects.

How does DC's 10% Enhanced Fee compare to Virginia's 2% state levy?

Two very different surcharge models. DC's 10% Enhanced Fee is universal: it applies to every line item including the base permit fee, the Green Building Fee, flat-fee accessory categories (shed, fence, pool), and the filing deposit. For a $30,000 alteration in DC: 10% applies to the $630 base permit ($63.00), and 10% also applies to the $39.00 Green Building Fee ($3.90), so the Enhanced surcharge totals $66.90. Virginia's 2% state levy (authorized by Code of Virginia Section 36-139) applies to the building permit fee only, not to separate line items. For a $30,000 alteration in Henrico: 2% applies to the $250 building permit = $5.00 levy. Net result: DC's surcharge stack is 10% of a stack of fees while Henrico's surcharge is 2% of the single building permit. On a $30,000 alteration, DC's surcharge math adds approximately $67 vs Henrico's $5 - a $62 gap from surcharge philosophy alone. The Enhanced Fee is also why the apparent "rate" comparison (10% vs 2%) understates the real-dollar difference: DC's surcharge applies to a larger base and includes the GBF.

What is DC's Green Building Fee and when does it apply?

DC's Green Building Fee is a separate line item on the permit that funds the District's green building program. It applies in two cases: (1) alterations with declared construction value $1,001 to $1,000,000, calculated as 0.13% of declared value; (2) new construction, calculated as $0.002 per sq ft of gross floor area. The Green Building Fee carries its own 10% Enhanced Fee on top - so the effective rate is 0.143% on tier-3 alterations and $0.0022 per sq ft on new construction once Enhanced is included. The GBF does NOT apply to flat-fee accessory categories (pool, shed, fence, garage, awning) or to Tier 1 and Tier 2 alterations under $1,001. For a $30,000 alteration: GBF = $30,000 x 0.13% = $39.00 + 10% = $42.90. For a 2,000 sq ft new SFD: GBF = 2,000 x $0.002 = $4.00 + 10% = $4.40. Henrico has no equivalent green or environmental fee at the residential permit level.

How does each jurisdiction handle plan review?

Both DC and Henrico bundle plan review into the building permit fee for residential projects - there is no separate plan review line item. DC's repeat technical review fee ($71.50 for single-family if plans are rejected and resubmitted) applies only if the first plan submission fails review and a resubmittal is required. Henrico does not publish a separate resubmittal fee at the residential summary level. For most homeowner-scope projects this bundled treatment is favorable: a $30,000 alteration in DC pays $630 building permit (which covers plan review) and a $30,000 alteration in Henrico pays $250 building permit (which also covers plan review). Compare this to jurisdictions like Fairfax County, VA, where plan review is charged as a separate percentage on top of the building permit fee. DC and Henrico's bundled approach simplifies budgeting but means project complexity is averaged into the base fee.

What about trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) in DC vs Henrico?

Both jurisdictions charge trade permits separately from the building permit, and both are excluded from the all-in totals in this comparison. DC itemizes trades granularly: electrical at per-10-outlets-or-fixtures with Instant Permit options for limited scope ($22 each), plumbing per fixture and per gas line cap/cut/test, and mechanical by equipment class and BTU rating. The 10% Enhanced Fee applies to every trade permit line in DC. Henrico's residential summary lists trade permits at $100 per permit (one each for electrical, plumbing, mechanical), without the granular per-fixture itemization. For a $30,000 kitchen alteration with all three trades, expect roughly $150-$400 in DC trade fees and approximately $300 in Henrico trade fees ($100 each), making the total realistic project permit cost: DC $735.90 building + ~$250 trades = ~$985; Henrico $255 building + $300 trades = $555. Henrico's lead extends even after trade permits.

When does Henrico's $680 cap actually activate, and how do I know if my project hits it?

Henrico's $680 cap activates at exactly $101,667 declared construction value. The arithmetic: $680 = $100 + $6 x ((V - 5,000) / 1,000), solved gives V = $101,667. Any project with declared value of $101,667 or more pays the maximum $680 building permit + $13.60 levy = $693.60 all-in regardless of how high the value goes. For new single-family detached construction, Henrico charges a flat $680 building permit by default (not via the formula) - this matches the cap rate, so new SFD construction always pays $693.60 all-in. For practical purposes, any major kitchen remodel ($100,000+), large addition ($150,000+), full bathroom renovation series, or major basement finish in Henrico will hit the cap. Multi-trade scope (kitchen + bath + basement bundled into one permit) at a combined $120,000 declared value also caps out at $693.60. The cap is not negotiable and not adjusted for inflation in the current schedule - it freezes the all-in regardless of declared value.

How does DC's cubic-foot pricing for new construction work and why is it usually cheaper than flat fees?

DC charges new construction and additions at $0.03 per cubic foot of gross enclosed volume. For typical 8-foot ceiling residential construction, that's $0.24 per sq ft of floor area (8 x $0.03). For a 2,000 sq ft / 16,000 cubic foot new home: $480 base + $4 Green Building Fee ($0.002 per sq ft on new construction) = $484, + 10% Enhanced = $532.40 all-in. The same 2,000 sq ft home in Henrico pays a flat $680 building permit + 2% levy = $693.60. DC's volume pricing scales with home size: a small 1,200 sq ft cottage pays approximately $321 all-in in DC vs $693.60 in Henrico (DC saves $373); a large 4,000 sq ft custom home pays approximately $1,054 all-in in DC vs $693.60 in Henrico (Henrico saves $360). The DC vs Henrico new SFD crossover occurs at approximately 2,605 sq ft of 8-ft-ceiling living area. Below that, DC is cheaper; above that, Henrico's flat cap wins. For typical 2,000-2,500 sq ft suburban new construction, DC's per-cubic-foot pricing is structurally cheaper than Henrico's flat-fee model.

Sources

Official .gov Sources - Verified 2025-2026

Building Permit Fee Schedule - DC Department of Buildings Live page captured April 25, 2026 - DC Department of Buildings - Primary source for the 4-tier alteration valuation formula, per-cubic-foot new construction pricing, flat pool/shed/fence/garage fees, the universal 10% Enhanced Fee, and the Green Building Fee structure Verified
Permit Fees - Henrico County Department of Building Inspections Schedule last updated December 17, 2025 - Henrico County Department of Building Inspections - Primary source for the residential 1-2 family formula ($100 base + $6 per $1,000 over $5,000), the $680 building permit cap, the flat $680 new SFD building permit, the bundled plan review treatment, and the 2% Virginia state levy application - Verified December 2025 against the henrico.gov permit-fees page and the residential permits page (last updated 2026-03-16) 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 Henrico County (does not apply in DC, which is not a Virginia jurisdiction)

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Always verify current permit fees directly with the DC Department of Buildings and the Henrico County Department of Building Inspections before budgeting or filing. DC's DOB schedule is a live page on dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 and may change when the DC Council adopts new fees. Henrico's residential fee schedule was last updated December 17, 2025 and is subject to change at any time. Call DOB Customer Service at 202-671-3500 or Henrico Building Inspections at (804) 501-4360 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-$500 in additional trade permit fees per project depending on electrical, plumbing, and mechanical scope. DC's filing deposit (50% of permit fee, max $20,000) is excluded from all-in totals because it is credited toward the final permit fee at issuance. Project-type classification (alteration vs new construction vs garage vs shed) can shift between fee categories during plan review; confirm scope with each jurisdiction before relying on these comparison figures. Henrico's $680 building permit cap and bundled plan review treatment are described in the residential summary and may not capture every supplemental fee (e.g., zoning, stormwater, RPA review) that applies to specific scopes.

Written by: Munib Ur Rehman

Data verified against official fee schedule documents.