Skip to main content

Washington DC Alteration Permit Cost (2026)

Residential alteration permit fees in Washington, DC, pulled from the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) Building Permit Fee Schedule live page at dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 (captured April 25, 2026). DC uses a four-tier value-based formula for residential alterations and repairs covering kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, in-kind window replacements (over 15 units), interior renovations, exterior repairs, and most home-improvement permit categories. Tier 1 (under $500 declared value): $33 flat + 10% Enhanced = $36.30 all-in. Tier 2 ($501 - $1,000): $65 flat + 10% Enhanced = $71.50 all-in. Tier 3 ($1,001 - $1 million): $30 base + 2% of declared construction value + 10% Enhanced Fee, plus a separate Green Building Fee of 0.13% of construction value with its own 10% Enhanced. Tier 4 (over $1 million): $10,030 + 1% of value over $1 million + 10% Enhanced + GBF tiered. A $5,000 minor kitchen update runs $150.15 all-in. A $15,000 bathroom remodel runs $384.45. A $30,000 kitchen remodel runs $735.90. A $50,000 full kitchen plus basement finish runs $1,204.50.

Tier 1 (under $500)
$36.30 flat
Tier 2 ($501-$1,000)
$71.50 flat
Tier 3 ($1,001-$1M)
$30 + 2% + GBF 0.13%
$30k Kitchen Remodel
$735.90 all-in
Last Verified
April 25, 2026
Fee Status
Live DOB schedule
What This Guide Covers - and What It Does Not

This guide covers: Washington, DC residential alteration and repair permit fees under the DOB Building Permit Fee Schedule, captured live on dob.dc.gov on April 25, 2026. Coverage includes the four value-based tiers for the alteration_repair line item that catches kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, interior renovations, exterior repairs, roof replacements treated as alterations, and most home-improvement permit categories. The universal 10% DOB Enhanced Fee surcharge applies to every tier on every line item. The Green Building Fee adds 0.13% of declared construction value for Tier 3 alterations ($1,001 to $1 million) with its own 10% Enhanced; the GBF jumps to a tiered base + rate structure for Tier 4 over-$1-million alterations.

This guide does NOT cover: Trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC) for the alteration scope - these are filed separately under DOB Section d Additional Supplemental Permits, each with the 10% Enhanced Fee on top of itemized trade-line pricing; new construction or additions to existing structures (handled by the DC addition permit guide at the cubic-foot rate, not the alteration tier); commercial alterations (the same tier table applies but with different inspection and review processes); historic-district reviews required for alterations on Historic Preservation Office (HPO) registered properties (separate HPRB review process outside the DOB schedule); demolition (filed under the demolition line at $30 + 2% with 10% Enhanced - same base structure as Tier 3 alterations but a separate permit category); raze (full structural razing, priced at $0.02 per cubic foot under a separate line); fees for design review meetings or repeat technical reviews ($71.50 per single-family residential repeat technical review); the cost of materials, labor, or construction itself.

Important - DC bundles plan review into the tier fee: DC does NOT charge a separate building plan review fee for standard residential alterations. The plan review cost is built into the tiered permit fee. Repeat technical reviews (plans rejected and resubmitted) are billed at $71.50 for single-family residential. Most first-pass approvals do not pay this. This is structurally different from Fairfax County (50% plan review on top of the building permit) and Norfolk's tiered plan review fees - DC's bundled plan review is one of the structural reasons DC alterations are cheaper than Fairfax alterations at the same scope.

Note on alteration vs addition classification: DC's alteration_repair tier formula covers work INSIDE the existing building envelope: kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, interior renovations, exterior repair work that does not add new heated volume. Additions that add new heated volume to the home (mudrooms, sunrooms, family-room extensions, second-story additions) are NOT priced under the alteration tier - they are priced as new construction at $0.03 per cubic foot under the DC addition path. Confirm classification with DOB at intake for any project that has ambiguous scope (rear-wall removal with bump-out, sunroom over existing slab, partial second-story over existing first floor).

Key Takeaways
  • DC residential alterations are priced under a four-tier value-based formula at the alteration_repair line item, distinct from the cubic-foot rate that applies to new construction and additions. The alteration tier covers kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, interior renovations, and most home-improvement work that does NOT add new heated volume to the building envelope.
  • Tier 1 covers very small projects under $500 declared value: $33 flat + 10% Enhanced = $36.30 all-in. Tier 2 covers small projects $501-$1,000: $65 flat + 10% Enhanced = $71.50 all-in. Both tiers are flat-fee with no Green Building Fee component (the GBF threshold begins at $1,001).
  • Tier 3 is the workhorse tier for typical residential alterations $1,001 through $1 million. The formula is $30 base + 2% of declared construction value, with 10% Enhanced Fee on the building permit fee. The separate Green Building Fee adds 0.13% of construction value with its own 10% Enhanced. Total effective rate at typical residential scope: approximately 2.59% of declared value (2% building permit rate x 1.10 Enhanced + 0.13% GBF x 1.10 Enhanced + $30 base x 1.10) + the $33 base portion grossed up.
  • Tier 4 covers very large alterations over $1 million declared value: $10,030 base + 1% of value over $1 million + 10% Enhanced. The GBF for Tier 4 also tiers up to $1,300 base + 0.0065% above $1M with 10% Enhanced. A $1.5 million whole-home gut renovation runs approximately $10,030 + $5,000 BP = $15,030 + 10% = $16,533 BP, plus $1,300 + $32.50 = $1,332.50 GBF + 10% = $1,465.75 GBF, total approximately $17,998.75. Tier 4 is rarely triggered by individual residential homeowner projects.
  • DC does NOT bill a separate building plan review fee for standard residential alterations. Plan review is bundled into the tier fee. Repeat technical reviews (plans rejected and resubmitted) are billed at $71.50 for single-family residential. This is structurally different from Fairfax County (50% plan review on top of building permit), Norfolk's tiered plan review by area, or Virginia Beach's $100 full PR / $25 counter PR. DC's bundled plan review meaningfully reduces alteration permit costs vs Fairfax at every scale.
  • Compared to value-based VA jurisdictions: a $30,000 kitchen remodel costs $735.90 in DC, $255.00 in Henrico County ($100 + $150 + 2% levy), $237.62 in Richmond City ($63 + $169.96 + 2% levy), $314.00 in Virginia Beach ($50 + $150 + $100 PR + $10 tech + 2% levy on $200 BP), $152.00 in Norfolk City (flat $100 + $35 PR + $15 + 2% levy on $100), $402.90 in Loudoun County (bundled flat), and $1,377.00 in Fairfax County (3% + 50% PR + 2% levy). DC sits between the cheap value-based Hampton Roads/Richmond MSA jurisdictions and Fairfax's high-cost 3% formula.
  • The Green Building Fee of 0.13% is a separate line item on Tier 3 alteration permits. It applies on top of the building permit and is itself subject to the 10% Enhanced Fee. The GBF funds DC green-building initiatives and is not optional. At $30,000 declared value, the GBF adds $39.00 + $3.90 Enhanced = $42.90 to the building permit total. At $100,000 declared value, the GBF adds $130.00 + $13.00 Enhanced = $143.00. The GBF is one of the largest single line items at higher declared values.
  • Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed SEPARATELY under DOB Section d and are NOT included in the alteration tier. A typical $30,000 kitchen remodel with new circuit work, gas line for range, plumbing for new sink and dishwasher, and HVAC duct adjustment could add $80 to $200 in trade permits on top of the $735.90 tier fee. Each trade permit also carries the 10% Enhanced. Confirm exact line items with DOB at filing.
Calculate Your Alteration Permit All Washington DC Permit Fees

DC Alteration Permit Fee Components by Tier

DC's residential alteration permit splits into three component lines on Tier 3 (the workhorse tier for typical home-improvement work): the base + percentage building permit fee, the 10% DOB Enhanced Fee applied to the building permit, the Green Building Fee at 0.13% of declared value, and the 10% Enhanced applied separately to the GBF. Tiers 1 and 2 are simpler flat-fee components with no GBF. The breakdown below shows component math at six typical residential alteration scopes.

Component $400 minor (Tier 1) $5k kitchen (Tier 3) $15k bathroom (Tier 3) $30k kitchen (Tier 3) $50k whole-home (Tier 3)
Base building permit $33.00 flat $30 + $100 = $130.00 $30 + $300 = $330.00 $30 + $600 = $630.00 $30 + $1,000 = $1,030.00
10% Enhanced on building permit $3.30 $13.00 $33.00 $63.00 $103.00
Green Building Fee (0.13% of value, Tier 3 only) N/A (Tier 1) $6.50 $19.50 $39.00 $65.00
10% Enhanced on GBF N/A $0.65 $1.95 $3.90 $6.50
All-in alteration permit total $36.30 $150.15 $384.45 $735.90 $1,204.50

Source: DC Department of Buildings Building Permit Fee Schedule, Section a (Building Structures and Equipment), live page on dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 captured April 25, 2026. The alteration_repair tier table shows four declared-value tiers; the 10% Enhanced Fee applies to every line item independently. The Green Building Fee of 0.13% of construction value applies to Tier 3 alterations ($1,001-$1M) and is itself subject to a separate 10% Enhanced Fee. Plan review for standard residential alterations is bundled into the tier fee; DOB does NOT bill a separate plan review fee. Trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) under Section d are filed separately and are not included in this table.

Worked Examples - Real Alteration Projects in DC

The four worked examples below cover typical DC residential alteration scopes from a small repair under $500 (Tier 1) through a $50,000 full kitchen plus basement finish (Tier 3). Trade permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical scope are NOT included - they would be filed separately under DOB Section d and add their own itemized line items plus 10% Enhanced on top of the alteration tier fee.

Example 1: $400 minor interior repair (Tier 1)

A homeowner files a permit for minor interior drywall repair after a small plumbing leak, replacement of a damaged interior door, and repainting of an affected wall section. No structural, electrical, or plumbing work beyond patch repair. Contractor invoice: $400 (materials + labor for the drywall patch, door, and paint).

  • Declared value: $400 (Tier 1, under $500)
  • Building permit (Tier 1 flat): $33.00
  • 10% Enhanced on building permit: $3.30
  • Green Building Fee: N/A (Tier 1)
  • Building permit total: $36.30

Note: this is the cheapest priced residential permit in DC. Many minor repairs under $500 in DC do not require a permit at all (cosmetic-only work, replacement of fixtures without scope changes, in-kind window/door replacement of fewer than 15 units). Confirm whether your specific scope requires a permit before filing. If the work needs a permit, $36.30 is the floor.

Example 2: $5,000 minor kitchen update (Tier 3)

A homeowner files an alteration permit for a minor kitchen update: replacement of cabinets and countertops, addition of a new pot-filler faucet over the range (which requires a plumbing rough-in), upgraded outlets and undercabinet lighting (which requires electrical work on a new circuit). Contractor invoice: $5,000 (cabinets + counters + minor plumbing + minor electrical, materials and labor).

  • Declared value: $5,000 (Tier 3, $1,001-$1M)
  • Building permit ($30 + 2% of $5,000): $30 + $100 = $130.00
  • 10% Enhanced on building permit: $13.00
  • Green Building Fee (0.13% of $5,000): $6.50
  • 10% Enhanced on GBF: $0.65
  • Building permit total: $150.15

Note: trade permits for the new plumbing rough-in (one fixture - the pot filler) and the electrical work (new circuit for undercabinet lighting and outlets) would be filed separately under DOB Section d. Estimated electrical permit minimum $24.20, plumbing $28.60 = approximately $53 in trade permits on top of the $150.15. Total all-in for the kitchen update: approximately $203. The same project in Fairfax County runs approximately $229.50 ($150 BP + $75 PR + $4.50 levy). DC and Fairfax are roughly comparable for very small alterations under $5,000.

Example 3: $30,000 full kitchen remodel (Tier 3)

A homeowner files an alteration permit for a full kitchen remodel: complete demolition of existing kitchen, new cabinets and counters, new island with electrical outlet, new dishwasher rough-in, new range with gas line work, undercabinet lighting on a dedicated circuit, new pendant lighting over island, new tile floor, recessed lighting in ceiling, full new electrical panel work to support new circuits, and minor plumbing relocation for the new sink. Contractor invoice: $30,000 (mid-range remodel, full electrical and plumbing scope, no structural changes).

  • Declared value: $30,000 (Tier 3, $1,001-$1M)
  • Building permit ($30 + 2% of $30,000): $30 + $600 = $630.00
  • 10% Enhanced on building permit: $63.00
  • Green Building Fee (0.13% of $30,000): $39.00
  • 10% Enhanced on GBF: $3.90
  • Building permit total: $735.90

Note: trade permits for the full electrical scope (new circuits, panel work, gas line) and plumbing (new sink and dishwasher rough-in) are NOT included in the $735.90. Expect approximately $80-$150 in electrical permit and $50.60-$78.20 in plumbing on top. Total all-in approximately $865-$965 for the building permit + trades. The same $30,000 kitchen remodel costs $1,377 all-in in Fairfax County (3% + 50% PR + 2% levy) and $255 in Henrico County ($100 + $150 + 2% levy). DC sits between Henrico's value-based capped formula and Fairfax's uncapped 3% formula.

Example 4: $50,000 full kitchen + basement finish (Tier 3)

A homeowner files an alteration permit covering both a full kitchen remodel and a full basement finish: kitchen as Example 3 plus 700 sq ft of basement finishing with new drywall, framing of two bedrooms and a full bathroom, new electrical (eight circuits for the basement), plumbing rough-in for the bathroom (sink, toilet, shower), HVAC duct extension to basement zone, and finish flooring. Contractor invoice: $50,000 (combined kitchen + basement scope, mid-range finishes).

  • Declared value: $50,000 (Tier 3, $1,001-$1M)
  • Building permit ($30 + 2% of $50,000): $30 + $1,000 = $1,030.00
  • 10% Enhanced on building permit: $103.00
  • Green Building Fee (0.13% of $50,000): $65.00
  • 10% Enhanced on GBF: $6.50
  • Building permit total: $1,204.50

Note: trade permits for the full electrical (eight circuits + panel work), plumbing (three fixtures + rough-ins), and HVAC (basement zone extension) scope are NOT included in the $1,204.50. Expect approximately $200-$350 in combined trade permits on top, for an all-in total of approximately $1,400-$1,550 including trades. The same $50,000 combined alteration in Fairfax County runs $2,295 building permit only ($1,500 + $750 + $45 levy), and approximately $377.40 in Henrico County ($100 + $270 + 2% levy on $370). DC's $1,204.50 is closer to Fairfax at this scale but still meaningfully cheaper because of the bundled plan review.

Calculate Your DC Alteration Permit

DC's four-tier alteration formula is not currently wired as a primary path in the PermitPrice fee calculator UI - the DC calculator support focuses on flat-rate scopes (pool, garage/shed, fence, instant permit, in-kind window replacement under Instant Permit). The Tier 3 formula at $30 + 2% of declared value + 10% Enhanced + 0.13% GBF + 10% Enhanced is straightforward to compute manually: take 2.59% of declared value and add roughly $33 for the base portions, or use the worked examples on this page as a quick reference. Confirm exact pricing with DOB Scout at scout.dob.dc.gov before filing.

DC Tier 3 alteration rule of thumb: at typical residential scope, multiply declared construction value by 2.59% and add approximately $33 base. A $20,000 alteration runs approximately $551.20 ($30 + $400 + $43 + $26 + $2.60 = $501.60 - rule of thumb slightly overstates because of fixed base components, exact calculation always preferred). For declared values under $1,001 use the Tier 1/2 flat fees ($36.30 or $71.50). For declared values over $1 million, use the Tier 4 formula starting at $10,030 base.

Open the Permit Fee Calculator

Trade Permits for Alterations in DC

Residential alterations with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical/HVAC scope require SEPARATE trade permits in DC under DOB Section d (Additional Supplemental Permits). The tier-based alteration permit covers the building permit and bundled plan review only - it does NOT include circuits, fixtures, gas lines, water lines, sprinklers, ductwork, or HVAC equipment installation. Each trade permit is filed separately and carries the 10% DOB Enhanced Fee on top of itemized trade-line pricing.

Electrical permit basics for alterations: Minimum permit fee $22 + 10% Enhanced = $24.20. Outlets/receptacles/switches/fixtures: $20 per 10 (or fraction) + 10%. Lighting fixtures: $8 per 10 + 10%. Service meter up to 200 amp first: $39 + 10% = $42.90 (heavy-up). The Instant Permit Electrical Heavy-Up ($64.90 with Enhanced) covers a typical 200-amp service upgrade. Central AC residential up to 5 ton: $65 first + $26 each additional + 10%. Most kitchen and bath remodel electrical scope falls under the minimum permit fee or low single-digit line items - typically $24.20-$80 in electrical on top of the alteration permit.

Plumbing permit basics for alterations: First fixture $26 + 10% = $28.60. Each additional fixture $20 + 10% = $22.00. Appliance installation first $26 + 10%. Gas conversion or new burner: $50.60 each. Line cap/cut/test: $28.60 each. A typical kitchen remodel with new sink rough-in (one fixture) and dishwasher rough-in (one appliance) runs approximately $50.60-$78.20 in plumbing. A full bathroom remodel with sink + toilet + shower/tub + vent runs approximately $94.60.

Mechanical/HVAC permit basics for alterations: Refrigeration Class E (0-120k BTU, typical residential): $50.60 each (with Enhanced). AC Class D (120-600k BTU, larger residential): $85.60 each. Instant Permit up to 10 ton (typical residential AC/heat pump replacement): $50.60 each. A typical kitchen remodel with minor HVAC adjustment (no new equipment) does not require a mechanical permit; a basement finish with new ducted extension or zoned mini-split adds approximately $50.60. Confirm equipment-class classification with DOB or your HVAC contractor before filing.

DC Alteration Permit Cost vs DMV Neighbors

DC's four-tier value-based formula with the bundled plan review sits structurally between the Hampton Roads / Richmond MSA value-based formulas (which are cheaper at typical residential scope) and Fairfax County's 3% formula with separate plan review (which is more expensive at every scope). The table below compares the all-in alteration permit cost across the verified DMV cluster at three typical residential declared values: $5,000 minor update, $15,000 bathroom remodel, and $30,000 kitchen remodel. Trade permits are excluded across all jurisdictions to keep the comparison apples-to-apples.

Jurisdiction Alteration Pricing Method $5k update $15k bathroom $30k kitchen
Washington, DC $30 + 2% + 10% Enhanced + 0.13% GBF + 10% Enhanced $150.15 $384.45 $735.90
Norfolk City Flat $100 + tiered PR ($35) + $15 + 2% levy $152.00 $152.00 $152.00
Richmond City $63 + $6.07/$1,000 over $2,000 + 2% levy $83.13 $144.75 $237.62
Henrico County $100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000 (cap $680) + 2% levy $102.00 $163.20 $255.00
Virginia Beach $50 + $5/$1k + $100 PR + $10 tech + 2% levy on BP $186.50 $237.50 $314.00
Loudoun County Bundled $395 flat + 2% levy $402.90 $402.90 $402.90
Fairfax County 3% of value + 50% PR + 2% levy $229.50 $688.50 $1,377.00

All figures are building permit only - trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) excluded across all jurisdictions. Norfolk's flat $152 is structurally the cheapest small-alteration jurisdiction in the verified DMV cluster but does not scale with project size - the same fee applies at $1,000 or $30,000 declared value. Richmond's value formula climbs at $6.07 per $1,000 with no cap. Henrico's formula caps at $680 building permit + 2% levy = $693.60 all-in at approximately $101,667 declared value. Virginia Beach includes the $100 full plan review at all alteration scopes. Loudoun bundles plan review and zoning permit into the $395 flat for alterations under 1,000 sq ft. Fairfax adds 50% plan review on every building permit. Chesterfield County is NOT in this comparison because Chesterfield's residential fee schedule does not include a verified general-alteration line item in PermitPrice's source data - confirm with Chesterfield Building Inspection at (804) 748-1057 for alteration-specific pricing. Source-age caveats: Loudoun is July 2022; Norfolk is July 2021; Richmond is June 2022. Verify all figures with the respective building department.

Compare Across the DMV

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

Frequently Asked Questions

DC's alteration_repair tier table covers work INSIDE the existing building envelope: kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, interior renovations, exterior repair work that does not add new heated volume, in-kind window/door replacements over 15 units, and most home-improvement permit categories. Work that adds new heated volume to the home (mudrooms, sunrooms, family-room extensions, second-story additions) is priced under DC's new-construction cubic-foot rate ($0.03 per cubic foot), NOT the alteration tier. The structural distinction: alterations modify what already exists; additions extend the heated envelope of the home. Confirm classification with DOB at intake for any project that has ambiguous scope (rear-wall removal with bump-out, partial second-story over existing first floor).
No. DC does NOT bill a separate building plan review fee for standard residential alterations. The plan review cost is built into the tier permit fee. Repeat technical reviews (plans rejected and resubmitted for review) are billed at $71.50 for single-family residential; design review meetings for residential are $71.50 per session ("preliminary design review single-family"). Most first-pass approvals do not pay these. This is structurally different from Fairfax County (50% plan review on top of the building permit) - a $30,000 kitchen remodel pays $735.90 in DC vs $1,377 in Fairfax, and the DC bundled plan review is the single largest reason for the gap.
The Green Building Fee (GBF) is a separate line item required on Tier 3 alteration permits ($1,001 through $1 million declared value) at 0.13% of the construction value. It is also itself subject to the 10% Enhanced Fee. The GBF funds DC green-building initiatives and is not optional. At $30,000 declared value, the GBF adds $39.00 + $3.90 Enhanced = $42.90 to the building permit total. At $100,000 declared value, the GBF adds $130.00 + $13.00 Enhanced = $143.00. Tier 1 (under $500) and Tier 2 ($501-$1,000) alterations do NOT pay GBF. Tier 4 alterations (over $1 million) pay a tiered GBF starting at $1,300 + 0.0065% above $1M with 10% Enhanced.
Functionally similar but structurally different. The 10% DOB Enhanced Fee is DC's automation/technology surcharge applied to every permit fee line item (building permit, plan review, supplemental permits, trade permits). It is collected by DOB and remitted to the DC government. The 2% Virginia state levy is required by Code of Virginia Section 36-139 and USBC Section 107.2, applied to building permit fees in Virginia jurisdictions, collected locally, and remitted to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The two surcharges share the same general purpose (technology/automation funding) but the 10% DC rate is 5x the 2% VA rate and applies on each fee line independently. On a Tier 3 alteration, the Enhanced Fee applies once to the building permit and once separately to the GBF, compounding the effect.
DC's Tier 3 rate is 2% of declared value (the building permit rate) plus 0.13% GBF, both with 10% Enhanced on top. That is an effective rate of approximately 2.34% of declared value on a typical residential alteration after Enhanced. Henrico's residential alteration rate is $6 per $1,000 over $5,000 = 0.6% of declared value over the $5,000 threshold, with a $680 cap at $101,667 declared. Richmond's rate is $6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000 = 0.607% over the threshold, uncapped. DC's 2% rate is roughly 3.3x Richmond's rate at typical residential scope; the GBF and the Enhanced Fee on both lines amplify the gap. The structural reason: DC's permit fee schedule funds a higher-cost building department (more inspectors per capita, faster review turnaround, online portal infrastructure) than the lower-cost municipal building departments in Hampton Roads and the Richmond MSA. DC alteration permits are cheaper than Fairfax (which adds 50% plan review on top of the 3% rate) but more expensive than the value-based VA jurisdictions outside DMV-NOVA.
Yes - on Tier 3 and Tier 4 alterations the declared value directly drives the 2% building permit rate and the 0.13% Green Building Fee rate. A $20,000 alteration costs $501.60 building permit + $26 GBF + Enhanced on both = $580.36 all-in vs a $30,000 alteration at $735.90 all-in. The honest contractor invoice or materials-plus-labor figure should be filed. Under-declaring on a kitchen remodel or basement finish saves permit money short-term but risks administrative correction requests, re-inspection delays, or downstream property assessment complications when an inspector or assessor disputes the declared value. Tiers 1 and 2 are flat-fee under $1,000 so declared value within those tiers does not change the math, but the tier classification itself depends on honest declared value.
DC's Historic Preservation Office (HPO) operates a separate review process for properties in historic districts or registered as historic landmarks. The HPO review is NOT included in the DC alteration tier permit fee - it is a separate filing through the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) process. HPRB review fees and timelines depend on the scope and type of historic district. Alterations to properties in Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Mount Pleasant, Cleveland Park, and the Logan Circle / Dupont Circle / U Street corridor historic districts typically require HPRB review before the DOB alteration permit can be issued. Confirm whether your property requires HPRB review with the DC Historic Preservation Office before filing the DOB permit. Properties outside historic districts (most of DC's residential parcels by count) file directly with DOB without HPRB involvement.
Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed SEPARATELY under DOB Section d and add their own itemized line items plus 10% Enhanced. For a typical $30,000 kitchen remodel with new circuits, gas line, plumbing rough-in for new sink/dishwasher, and minor HVAC adjustment, expect approximately $80-$150 for the electrical permit, $50.60-$78.20 for plumbing, and $0-$50.60 for mechanical (only if new equipment is installed). Total trade permits: approximately $130-$280 on top of the $735.90 alteration permit. For a $50,000 combined kitchen + basement finish, total trade permits typically run $200-$350. For a $15,000 bathroom remodel, trade permits run $80-$130. Confirm exact line items with DOB at filing.

Sources

Official .gov Sources - Verified April 2026
  • DC Department of Buildings - Building Permit Fee Schedule Captured April 25, 2026 - DC Department of Buildings - Primary source for the four-tier alteration_repair formula under Section a (Building Structures and Equipment), the 10% Enhanced Fee surcharge applied to every line item, the Green Building Fee at 0.13% of construction value for Tier 3 alterations, and the repeat technical review fee of $71.50 for single-family residential. DC publishes the fee schedule as a live page rather than a dated PDF; PermitPrice captures the page state at the verification date.
  • DOB Scout - DC Permit Portal Accessed April 25, 2026 - DC Department of Buildings - Official online portal for submitting building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits in DC; the destination for confirming tier classification at filing and for accessing the itemized Section d trade permit fee table
  • DC Code Title 6, Chapter 14 - Construction Codes Current - DC Council - Statutory authority for the DC Construction Codes Supplement of 2017 (as amended) under which the DOB Building Permit Fee Schedule operates; the legal basis for DC's permit fee structure, the universal Enhanced Fee, and the Green Building Fee
Next Step

Calculate your specific DC alteration permit cost, see all DC fee categories, or compare against Virginia neighbors.

Always verify current alteration permit fees, tier classification, and trade permit costs directly with the DC Department of Buildings before budgeting or filing. DC publishes the Building Permit Fee Schedule as a live page on dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 (not a dated PDF), and DOB updates the page when the DC Council adopts new fees. Call DOB at (202) 671-3500 or use DOB Scout at scout.dob.dc.gov to confirm the tier formula, the GBF rate, and trade permit line items for your specific alteration scope before relying on the figures in this guide for budgeting.
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 DC Department of Buildings at the time of application. The four-tier alteration_repair formula, the 10% Enhanced Fee surcharge, the Green Building Fee at 0.13% for Tier 3 (and tiered for Tier 4), and the bundled plan review for standard residential alterations are all sourced from the DOB Building Permit Fee Schedule live page on dob.dc.gov captured April 25, 2026. Repeat technical review fees ($71.50 single-family residential) apply only when plans are rejected and resubmitted for review. Trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC) under Section d are filed separately and are summarized in this guide but not exhaustively itemized. Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) reviews for properties in DC historic districts or registered as historic landmarks are NOT covered by the DOB alteration permit fee schedule and are filed separately under the Historic Preservation Office process. The alteration tier formula does NOT cover work that adds new heated volume to the home (additions, second-story extensions) - those are priced under the new-construction cubic-foot rate.

Written by: Munib Ur Rehman

Data verified against official fee schedule documents.