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Richmond City Alteration Permit Cost (2026)

Residential alteration permit fees in Richmond City, Virginia, pulled from the City of Richmond Fee Schedule on rva.gov (revision date 06-14-2022). Richmond applies a tiered valuation formula to residential 1-2 family alterations and repairs: $63 base building permit plus $6.07 per $1,000 of declared construction value above $2,000, plus a 2% Virginia state levy on the building permit subtotal. There is no separate plan review fee for residential alterations - plan review is bundled into the base + tier rate. The formula is uncapped, meaning the building permit fee continues to climb with declared construction value. A $5,000 minor update runs $82.83 all-in. A $15,000 bathroom remodel runs $144.75. A $30,000 kitchen remodel runs $237.62. A $50,000 whole-home update runs $361.45. A $100,000 full gut renovation runs $671.02. A $200,000 luxury renovation runs $1,290.16. Richmond sits structurally between the Norfolk flat $152 and the Fairfax 3% formula, making it the second-cheapest verified Virginia jurisdiction for typical residential alterations under $35,000 declared value.

Building Permit Base
$63 + $6.07/$1k over $2k
Effective Slope
0.607% of declared (above $2k)
Plan Review
Bundled into base
$30k Kitchen Remodel
$237.62 all-in
Fee Cap
No cap (uncapped formula)
Fee Status
Rev June 2022 (verify)
What This Guide Covers - and What It Does Not

This guide covers: Richmond City, Virginia residential 1-2 family alteration and repair permit fees under the residential_alteration_repair line item in PermitPrice's verified source.json, captured from the City of Richmond Fee Schedule PDF on rva.gov. Coverage includes the $63 base building permit, the $6.07 per $1,000 tier rate above the $2,000 threshold, and the 2% Virginia USBC state levy applied to the building permit subtotal. The formula applies to kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, interior renovations, and most home-improvement permit categories classified as residential alterations on existing 1-2 family dwellings. Worked examples cover the typical residential alteration scope range from the $2,000 threshold floor through a $200,000 luxury renovation.

This guide does NOT cover: Trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for the alteration scope - these are filed separately under Richmond's trade permit schedule; commercial alterations or alterations to non-1-2-family dwellings (different inspection process and fee structure); new residential construction (Richmond uses the same $63 + $6.07/$1k formula for new residential per the source.json, but the inspection and review process differs); demolition permits (Richmond charges a flat $184 residential demolition permit, separate from the value-based formula); zoning approvals required before permit submission; HOA architectural review; the cost of materials, labor, or construction itself; downstream property tax reassessment.

Important - the formula is uncapped: Richmond does not impose a residential cap on the alteration permit formula. Above the $2,000 threshold the building permit climbs at $6.07 per $1,000 of declared value (effectively 0.607% of declared value above the threshold). At $100,000 declared the building permit is $657.86 before levy; at $200,000 it is $1,264.86 before levy. The uncapped formula means high-value alterations in Richmond will pay materially more than the same scope in Henrico (capped at $680) but materially less than the same scope in Fairfax (3% uncapped formula). The structural advantage for Richmond is in the mid-scope range from $5,000 to $50,000, where the 0.607% slope combined with the $63 base produces the second-lowest verified Virginia alteration permit cost.

Note on source-age caveat: The City of Richmond Fee Schedule is labeled effective 11/18/2013 with last revision dated 06-14-2022. As of April 24, 2026 no newer revision has been posted on rva.gov. The 0.607% slope and $63 base are stable across the 2013-2022 revisions. Always confirm current fees with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 before filing a load-bearing budget. The source.json carries a confidence rating of "medium_high" with an explicit source-age caveat.

Key Takeaways
  • Richmond residential alteration permits use a tiered valuation formula: $63 base + $6.07 per $1,000 above $2,000, plus 2% Virginia state levy. The catch-all residential_alteration_repair line item in Richmond's fee schedule covers kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, interior renovations, and most home-improvement work on existing 1-2 family dwellings.
  • The $2,000 threshold creates a flat-fee floor: below $2,000 declared value the building permit is $63 + 2% = $64.26 all-in. The $6.07 per $1,000 slope only applies to declared value above $2,000. A $1,500 minor repair and a $2,000 minor update both cost $64.26 all-in.
  • The formula is uncapped. Unlike Henrico County (which caps at $680 building permit), Richmond's building permit fee continues to climb with declared construction value. At $200,000 declared, Richmond charges $1,290.16 vs Henrico's $693.60 - the lack of cap is the structural reason Richmond is more expensive than Henrico for high-value renovations.
  • Richmond does NOT charge a separate plan review fee for residential alterations. Plan review is bundled into the $63 base + tier rate. This is structurally similar to Henrico County and meaningfully cheaper than Fairfax County (which adds 50% plan review on top of the 3% building permit, producing an effective combined rate of 4.59% of declared value).
  • Compared to other VA jurisdictions: a $30,000 kitchen remodel costs $237.62 in Richmond, $255.00 in Henrico County, $314.00 in Virginia Beach, $152.00 in Norfolk City (flat regardless of value), $402.90 in Loudoun County (bundled flat), $735.90 in DC, and $1,377.00 in Fairfax County. Richmond is the second-cheapest verified VA jurisdiction at $30k, behind Norfolk's flat-fee structure.
  • The 2% Virginia state levy is required by Code of Virginia Section 36-139 and USBC Section 107.2. Richmond applies the levy to the building permit subtotal only. On a $30,000 kitchen remodel: BP $232.96 + 2% = $4.66 levy = $237.62 all-in. The levy is a state-collected pass-through to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
  • Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for alterations are filed SEPARATELY in Richmond under the city's trade permit schedule. The trade permit fees are NOT modeled in this guide - this guide covers the building permit only. Confirm trade permit costs with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 before budgeting.
  • For projects that include structural changes (load-bearing wall removal, beam installation, footing modifications), Richmond may require stamped structural drawings prepared by a Virginia-licensed structural engineer. These engineering costs are NOT included in the bundled plan review and are billed separately by the engineer ($1,500-$5,000 typical for residential structural work). Confirm structural review requirements with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections before relying on the formula for any alteration involving load-bearing modifications.
  • Source-age caveat - the City of Richmond Fee Schedule is labeled effective 11/18/2013 with last revision 06-14-2022. As of the most recent PermitPrice verification (April 24, 2026) no newer revision has been posted on rva.gov. The formula is stable across 2013-2022 but always verify current fees before filing a load-bearing budget. Source.json confidence: medium_high with explicit source-age caveat.
Calculate Your Alteration Permit All Richmond City Permit Fees

Richmond Alteration Permit Fee Components

Richmond's residential alteration permit splits into two component lines: the tiered building permit (with bundled plan review) and the 2% Virginia state levy on the building permit subtotal. The breakdown below shows component math at five typical residential alteration scopes from the $2,000 threshold floor through a $200,000 luxury renovation.

Component $5k threshold $15k bathroom $30k kitchen $100k gut renovation $200k luxury
Base building permit $63.00 $63.00 $63.00 $63.00 $63.00
$6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000 3 x $6.07 = $18.21 13 x $6.07 = $78.91 28 x $6.07 = $169.96 98 x $6.07 = $594.86 198 x $6.07 = $1,201.86
Building permit subtotal (uncapped) $81.21 $141.91 $232.96 $657.86 $1,264.86
2% Virginia state levy $1.62 $2.84 $4.66 $13.16 $25.30
All-in alteration permit total $82.83 $144.75 $237.62 $671.02 $1,290.16

Source: City of Richmond Fee Schedule on rva.gov, last revision 06-14-2022, residential_alteration_repair line item for existing 1-2 family dwellings. The formula uses $63 base + $6.07 per $1,000 of declared construction value above the $2,000 threshold (encoded in source.json as rate 0.00607). Plan review is bundled into the base + tier rate (no separate PR line). The 2% Virginia state levy is required by Code of Virginia Section 36-139 and USBC Section 107.2 and is applied to the building permit subtotal only. The published schedule includes a next-up $1,000 increment rule that this engine does not model; at round-thousand declared values the figures match the schedule exactly, with sub-thousand declared values producing a difference of less than $6 from the published rounding rule. Trade permit fees are filed separately and are not included in this table.

Worked Examples - Real Alteration Projects in Richmond

The four worked examples below cover typical Richmond residential alteration scopes from a $5,000 minor update at the lower end through a $200,000 luxury renovation. Trade permits are filed separately under Richmond's trade permit schedule and are NOT included here - this is the building permit only.

Example 1: $15,000 full bathroom remodel

A homeowner files an alteration permit for a full bathroom remodel: demolition of existing bathroom, new tile floor and walls, new bathtub or shower, new vanity with sink, new toilet, new exhaust fan, all new GFCI electrical, full plumbing rough-in for the new layout. Contractor invoice: $15,000 (mid-range bathroom remodel including all rough-ins and finish work).

  • Declared value: $15,000
  • Tier portion: ($15,000 - $2,000) / $1,000 = 13 x $6.07 = $78.91
  • Building permit ($63 base + $78.91 tier): $141.91
  • 2% Virginia state levy: $2.84
  • Building permit total: $144.75

Note: trade permits for the plumbing and electrical scope would be filed separately under Richmond's trade permit schedule. The same $15,000 bathroom remodel costs $688.50 building permit in Fairfax County (3% + 50% PR + 2% levy); Richmond saves $543.75 building permit for the same scope. Henrico County charges $163.20 for the same scope - close to Richmond at this declared value.

Example 2: $30,000 full kitchen remodel

A homeowner files an alteration permit for a full kitchen remodel: complete demolition, new cabinets and counters, new island with electrical outlet, new dishwasher rough-in, new range with gas line work, undercabinet and pendant lighting, recessed ceiling lighting, full new electrical to support new circuits, and minor plumbing relocation for the new sink. Contractor invoice: $30,000.

  • Declared value: $30,000
  • Tier portion: ($30,000 - $2,000) / $1,000 = 28 x $6.07 = $169.96
  • Building permit ($63 base + $169.96 tier): $232.96
  • 2% Virginia state levy: $4.66
  • Building permit total: $237.62

Note: the same $30,000 kitchen remodel costs $1,377 building permit in Fairfax County, $735.90 in DC, $255 in Henrico County, and a flat $152 in Norfolk City. Richmond's 0.607% slope produces $237.62 - the second-cheapest verified VA jurisdiction at this declared value behind Norfolk's flat-fee structure.

Example 3: $100,000 full gut renovation

A homeowner files an alteration permit for a $100,000 full gut renovation: kitchen complete rebuild with high-end appliances and custom cabinetry, two full bathroom gut and rebuild with new tile and fixtures, refinished hardwood floors throughout, full new electrical scope (whole-home rewiring + smart-home wiring + multiple new circuits), full new plumbing scope (whole-home re-pipe + new fixtures throughout), minor HVAC scope (ductwork modifications, no new equipment). Contractor invoice: $100,000.

  • Declared value: $100,000
  • Tier portion: ($100,000 - $2,000) / $1,000 = 98 x $6.07 = $594.86
  • Building permit ($63 base + $594.86 tier): $657.86
  • 2% Virginia state levy: $13.16
  • Building permit total: $671.02

Note: this is approximately where Richmond starts to look more expensive than Henrico County, which caps at $693.60 all-in for any alteration at or above approximately $101,667 declared. At $100k declared, Richmond charges $671.02 vs Henrico $683.40 - the two jurisdictions are roughly even. Above $101,667 declared, Henrico becomes the cheaper jurisdiction because of the cap. The same $100,000 gut renovation in Fairfax County runs $4,590 building permit (3% + 50% PR + 2% levy); Richmond saves $3,918.98 building permit for the same scope.

Example 4: $200,000 luxury renovation (uncapped)

A homeowner files an alteration permit for a $200,000 luxury whole-home renovation: gut renovation of all bathrooms (three full bathrooms with high-end finishes), full kitchen gut and rebuild, refinished floors throughout, replaced trim throughout, new high-end electrical scope (smart-home wiring + multiple new circuits), full new plumbing fixtures throughout, custom built-in cabinetry, extensive structural modifications including load-bearing wall removal. Contractor invoice: $200,000 (high-end whole-home renovation).

  • Declared value: $200,000
  • Tier portion: ($200,000 - $2,000) / $1,000 = 198 x $6.07 = $1,201.86
  • Building permit ($63 base + $1,201.86 tier): $1,264.86
  • 2% Virginia state levy: $25.30
  • Building permit total: $1,290.16

Note: this is where Richmond's uncapped formula starts to add up. The same $200,000 renovation in Henrico County caps at $693.60 (Henrico saves $596.56 vs Richmond at this scope). Fairfax County runs $9,180 building permit (3% + 50% PR + 2% levy, uncapped); Richmond saves $7,889.84 vs Fairfax for the same scope. Stamped structural drawings for load-bearing wall removal are billed separately by a Virginia-licensed structural engineer ($1,500-$5,000 typical) and are not included in the building permit fee.

Calculate Your Richmond Alteration Permit

The PermitPrice fee calculator supports Richmond's residential alteration formula directly. Pick "Richmond City, VA" and "Alteration" in the calculator dropdowns; enter declared construction value; the calculator applies $63 base + $6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000 + 2% levy. The formula is simple to compute manually: round (declared - 2,000) up to nearest $1,000, multiply by 6.07, add 63, then multiply by 1.02. For a $30,000 alteration: 28 x 6.07 = 169.96, plus 63 = 232.96 BP, x 1.02 = $237.62 all-in. Trade permits add separately under Richmond's trade schedule. Use the worked examples on this page as a budgeting reference.

Richmond alteration rule of thumb: [($63 + 6.07 x (declared - 2,000) / 1,000)] x 1.02. At declared values $0-$2,000: $64.26 all-in. At $30,000: $237.62. At $100,000: $671.02. At $200,000: $1,290.16. No cap - the formula climbs linearly with declared value. Trade permits filed separately under Richmond's trade permit schedule. The schedule revision date is June 14, 2022 - verify current rates before filing.

Open the Permit Fee Calculator

Trade Permits for Alterations in Richmond

Residential alterations with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical scope require SEPARATE trade permits in Richmond. The building permit covers the structural/architectural review only - it does NOT include circuits, fixtures, gas lines, water lines, ductwork, or HVAC equipment installation. Richmond's trade permit fees are NOT modeled in PermitPrice's source.json at present - this guide covers the building permit only. Trade permit costs must be confirmed with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections directly before budgeting.

How to get current trade permit fees: Call the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 during business hours (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm). Reference the specific trade scope when asking - residential electrical permits, residential plumbing permits, and residential mechanical permits are each billed under separate fee categories. The walk-in counter at 900 East Broad Street, Room 108, Richmond, VA 23219 is open Mon-Fri 8am-1pm for in-person fee verification and permit application submission.

Why trade permits are excluded from this guide: Richmond's residential trade permit fees are not fully verified in PermitPrice's source.json as of April 24, 2026. The City of Richmond Fee Schedule PDF includes trade fees, but the residential vs commercial distinction and the fixture-count/amperage tier structure require additional verification before publication. PermitPrice's editorial policy is to publish only verified figures - the building permit fee in this guide is verified, but trade permits are not. Use the building permit fee shown here as a partial budget figure, and call Richmond to confirm the trade permit add-on for your specific scope.

Richmond Alteration Permit Cost vs Neighbors

Richmond sits in the mid-range of the verified DMV cluster for typical residential alterations. The table below compares the all-in alteration permit cost across the verified DMV cluster at four scopes. Richmond is the cheapest verified value-based VA jurisdiction at most scopes but more expensive than Norfolk's flat-fee structure.

Jurisdiction Pricing Method $15k bathroom $30k kitchen $100k gut renovation $200k luxury
Richmond City $63 + $6.07/$1k over $2k + 2% levy $144.75 $237.62 $671.02 $1,290.16
Norfolk City Flat $100 + $35 PR + $15 + 2% levy on $100 $152.00 $152.00 $152.00 $152.00
Henrico County $100 + $6/$1k over $5k (cap $680) + 2% levy $163.20 $255.00 $683.40 $693.60 (cap)
Virginia Beach $50 + $5/$1k + $100 PR + $10 tech + 2% on BP $237.50 $314.00 $662.00 $1,121.00
Loudoun County Bundled $395 + 2% levy $402.90 $402.90 $402.90 (under 1,000 sq ft) over 1,000 sq ft: 1% formula
Washington, DC $30 + 2% + 10% Enhanced + 0.13% GBF + Enhanced $384.45 $735.90 $2,376.00 $4,719.00
Fairfax County 3% of value + 50% PR + 2% levy $688.50 $1,377.00 $4,590.00 $9,180.00

All figures are building permit only - trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) excluded. Richmond's uncapped value formula climbs at $6.07 per $1,000 above the $2,000 threshold. Norfolk's flat $152 covers any alteration value (cheapest jurisdiction at high declared values among the Hampton Roads / DMV cluster). Henrico's $680 building permit cap activates at approximately $101,667 declared; above that the all-in fee freezes at $693.60. Virginia Beach uses a $50 + $5/$1k linear formula plus $100 plan review and $10 tech fee. Loudoun's bundled flat applies only under 1,000 sq ft. DC's tier formula plus 10% Enhanced and 0.13% Green Building Fee produces the most expensive DMV jurisdiction at high declared values among the verified set. Fairfax 3% formula uncapped is consistently the most expensive at any declared value over $5,000. Source-age caveats: Loudoun is July 2022; Norfolk is July 2021; Richmond is June 2022. Chesterfield County not in table - no verified general-alteration line item in source data.

Compare Across the DMV

For a full breakdown of how Richmond and other Virginia jurisdictions price alterations, see the cross-jurisdiction guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Richmond Fee Schedule does not impose a cap on the residential alteration permit formula. Richmond's source.json explicitly notes "Richmond does not impose a residential cap" - this is a structural design choice by the Bureau of Permits and Inspections. Above the $2,000 threshold the building permit climbs at $6.07 per $1,000 of declared value (0.607% effective slope). At $100,000 declared the building permit is $657.86 before levy; at $200,000 it is $1,264.86 before levy. The uncapped design produces meaningfully higher fees than Henrico's $680 cap at high declared values, but the slope is still much shallower than Fairfax's 3% rate. Richmond sits between Henrico (capped) and Fairfax (uncapped at higher slope) in the verified DMV cluster.
The PDF on rva.gov is the most recent published version as of April 24, 2026. The cover page states "EFFECTIVE 11/18/2013" with "Revision 06-14-2022" - the 2022 revision is the operative document. PermitPrice has confirmed no newer revision is posted on rva.gov. The $63 base, $6.07 per $1,000 slope above $2,000, and 2% Virginia state levy are stable across 2013-2022 revisions per City of Richmond ordinance. The schedule remains in effect until a future revision is published. For load-bearing budgets, call the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 to confirm current rates before filing - PermitPrice's source.json confidence rating of "medium_high" reflects this source-age caveat.
No. The $2,000 threshold in the Richmond formula determines when the per-$1,000 slope starts, not when permits are required. A residential alteration permit is still required for declared construction values under $2,000 if the scope requires permits per the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The building permit fee in that range is $63 base + 2% levy = $64.26 all-in - the formula's flat-fee floor below the threshold. Whether a specific scope requires a permit depends on the USBC and Richmond's permit-required project list, not the fee tier. Cosmetic-only work (paint, flooring without structural changes) is typically exempt; anything involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical scope generally requires a permit regardless of declared value.
Yes - Richmond's residential_alteration_repair line item is a catch-all that applies the same $63 + $6.07 per $1,000 formula above the $2,000 threshold to kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, interior renovations, and most home-improvement work on existing 1-2 family dwellings. The fee math does not distinguish between project types within the alteration category. A $30,000 kitchen remodel and a $30,000 basement finish both cost the same $237.62 all-in building permit. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately under Richmond's trade permit schedule and depend on the specific scope.
Richmond and Henrico use similar tiered valuation formulas with different parameters. Richmond: $63 base + $6.07 per $1,000 above $2,000 threshold, no cap. Henrico: $100 base + $6 per $1,000 above $5,000 threshold, capped at $680 building permit. At low declared values (under $30,000), Richmond is slightly cheaper because of the lower base fee ($63 vs $100). At mid declared values ($30,000 to $100,000), the two jurisdictions are very close - within $20 of each other. At high declared values (above $101,667), Henrico becomes structurally cheaper because of the $680 cap, while Richmond's uncapped formula continues to climb. For a $200,000 luxury renovation, Henrico charges $693.60 and Richmond charges $1,290.16 - Henrico saves $596.56 at this scope. See Henrico vs Richmond comparison page for the full breakdown.
Richmond's trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for residential 1-2 family alterations are billed separately from the building permit and are NOT modeled in PermitPrice's source.json at present. The City of Richmond Fee Schedule PDF includes trade fees but PermitPrice has not yet verified the residential vs commercial distinction and the fixture/amperage tier structure to a publishable confidence rating. To get the current trade permit fees for your specific scope, call the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 or visit the walk-in counter at 900 East Broad Street, Room 108 (Mon-Fri 8am-1pm). The building permit fee shown in this guide is verified and accurate; the trade permit add-on must be confirmed separately.
Load-bearing wall removal, beam installation, footing modifications, and other structural changes are still classified as residential alterations under Richmond's residential_alteration_repair line item. The $63 + $6.07/$1k formula applies to the declared value. HOWEVER, Richmond may require stamped structural drawings prepared by a Virginia-licensed structural engineer. The engineering review and stamping costs are NOT included in the bundled plan review fee - those are billed by the engineer separately ($1,500 to $5,000 typical for residential structural work). Confirm structural review requirements with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 before budgeting any alteration that involves load-bearing modifications.
Richmond's source.json specifies the valuation basis as "higher of contractor estimate or RS Means" - meaning the City of Richmond reserves the right to override an applicant's declared value if it is below the RS Means residential cost benchmark for the scope. RS Means is an industry-standard residential construction cost database. Under-declaring a $30,000 kitchen remodel as $15,000 risks the building department adjusting the declared value upward to the RS Means figure and either re-billing the permit fee or rejecting the application. Honest contractor invoices or materials-plus-labor figures should be filed. Note that Richmond's formula is uncapped, so reducing declared value within reason does reduce the permit fee linearly - but the savings are small ($6.07 per $1,000 reduction) and the audit risk is not worth it for typical scopes.

Sources

Official .gov Sources - Verified April 2026
  • City of Richmond Fee Schedule (PDF) Effective 11/18/2013, last revision 06-14-2022 - Department of Planning and Development Review, Bureau of Permits and Inspections - Primary source for the residential_alteration_repair line item: $63 base + $6.07 per $1,000 above $2,000, no cap. The published schedule includes a next-up $1,000 increment rule that PermitPrice's engine does not model; figures match the schedule exactly at round-thousand declared values.
  • City of Richmond Bureau of Permits and Inspections Accessed April 2026 - City of Richmond Government - Official permits and inspections information page with current contact information for the Bureau of Permits and Inspections ((804) 646-4169 main line, (804) 646-1628 for inspection scheduling) and walk-in counter hours at 900 East Broad Street, Room 108 (Mon-Fri 8am-1pm). The destination for verifying current alteration pricing and trade permit costs before filing.
  • 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 Virginia jurisdictions, including the 2% levy applied to the Richmond alteration permit subtotal
Next Step

Calculate your specific Richmond alteration permit cost or compare against neighbors.

Always verify current alteration permit fees and trade permit costs directly with the City of Richmond Bureau of Permits and Inspections before budgeting or filing. Call the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 to confirm the $63 + $6.07/$1k formula above the $2,000 threshold and the residential trade permit costs for your specific alteration scope. Inspection scheduling is at (804) 646-1628. Walk-in counter at 900 East Broad Street, Room 108 (Mon-Fri 8am-1pm). Structural alterations may require stamped engineering drawings outside the standard plan review fee.
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 City of Richmond Bureau of Permits and Inspections at the time of application. The $63 base + $6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000 tiered formula, the absence of a fee cap, the bundled plan review structure, and the 2% Virginia state levy application rules are all sourced from the City of Richmond Fee Schedule PDF on rva.gov (effective 11/18/2013, last revision 06-14-2022). PermitPrice's source.json carries a confidence rating of "medium_high" with explicit source-age caveat - the most recent published schedule is the 2022 revision, and PermitPrice has not located a newer revision on rva.gov as of April 24, 2026. The catch-all residential_alteration_repair line item covers kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, interior renovations, and most home-improvement work on existing 1-2 family dwellings. Trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately under Richmond's trade permit schedule and are not modeled in this guide - confirm with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections before relying on the building permit fee as a complete budget figure. Structural alterations (load-bearing wall removal, beam installation, footing modifications) may require stamped structural drawings prepared by a Virginia-licensed structural engineer - these engineering costs are billed by the engineer separately, not by Richmond. The City of Richmond reserves the right to use the higher of contractor estimate or RS Means residential cost benchmark for declared value if the applicant's stated value is below the benchmark.

Written by: Munib Ur Rehman

Data verified against official fee schedule documents.