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DC Garage Permit Cost (2026)

New detached garage permit fees in Washington, DC, pulled from the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) Building Permit Fee Schedule at dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 (live schedule captured April 25, 2026 - DC publishes the schedule on a single live page, not a dated PDF). In DC, a new detached garage and a new shed are the same fee line item: the schedule lists "Garage (new) or shed (new)" as a flat $65 building permit fee under Section a, with the universal 10% DOB Enhanced Fee applied on top. The arithmetic is straightforward: $65 base + $6.50 Enhanced (10%) = $71.50 all-in for a standard detached garage under the flat-rate path. The flat fee does not scale with garage size, number of bays, declared construction value, or scope below the cubic-foot threshold - a one-car and a two-car detached garage both cost $71.50. There is no DC equivalent of the Virginia 2% state levy, no separate plan review fee for the flat-rate garage permit, and no Green Building Fee on flat-rate garage permits (the GBF applies to alterations valued $1,001-$1,000,000 and to new construction priced per square foot, neither of which fits a standard flat-rate garage). At $71.50 all-in, DC is the cheapest verified DMV jurisdiction for a standard detached garage.

Base Building Permit
$65 flat (Section a)
10% DOB Enhanced Fee
$6.50 on $65
All-In Garage Permit Cost
$71.50 (size-independent)
Green Building Fee
N/A on flat-rate garage
State / Local Surcharges
10% Enhanced only
Fee Status
Verified April 2026
What This Guide Covers - and What It Does Not

This guide covers: Washington, DC new detached garage permit fees as published in the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) Building Permit Fee Schedule on dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 (live schedule captured April 25, 2026). Coverage includes the flat $65 building permit fee for new garage or new shed construction under Section a (a new detached garage and a new shed are the same line item in DC); the universal 10% DOB Enhanced Fee applied to all DOB fees; the resulting $71.50 all-in flat permit cost; the cubic-foot new-construction reclassification path at $0.03 per cubic foot that can apply to larger garages; and how DC's flat-rate garage approach contrasts with value-based, square-foot-based, and bundled-flat approaches used by Virginia DMV neighbors.

This guide does NOT cover: Trade permits (electrical for garage lighting and outlets, plumbing, mechanical) - DC publishes separate Section d trade permit schedules with their own filings and their own 10% Enhanced Fee on top, so the flat $71.50 is the building permit only; large garages or accessory structures priced by cubic footage rather than the flat-rate line (the DOB schedule notes that larger garages with significant cubic footage may be priced as new construction at $0.03 per cubic foot instead of the flat $65 - confirm scope with DOB at filing); attached garages tied into the dwelling's structure or mechanical systems (which can be priced as an addition rather than a flat-rate detached structure); commercial garages or accessory structures on commercial parcels (different fee path); zoning approvals required before permit submission (lot occupancy limits, side-yard and rear-yard setback rules); historic preservation review (Historic Preservation Review Board approval required before permit application for any structure in a historic district); the cost of the garage materials, slab, installation labor, or site preparation; the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) review for structures near tree boxes, stormwater management features, or environmentally sensitive areas.

Note on the Enhanced Fee: Every DOB fee carries a 10% Enhanced Fee on top of the base amount per Section a of the fee schedule. The Enhanced Fee is DC's automation and technology surcharge equivalent and applies to building permits, plan review, supplemental permits, and trade permits. For the flat $65 garage permit, the Enhanced Fee is $6.50, yielding $71.50 all-in. The Enhanced Fee is mandatory and not negotiable.

Note on the Green Building Fee (does NOT apply to flat-rate garages): The DC Green Building Fee applies to alterations valued $1,001-$1,000,000 (0.13% of construction value, plus 10% Enhanced) and to new construction priced per square foot ($0.002 per sq ft, plus 10% Enhanced). The flat $65 garage permit does NOT carry a Green Building Fee because it is neither an alteration-valued permit nor a per-square-foot new construction permit - it is a fixed flat-rate accessory structure permit under Section a. If your garage crosses the cubic-foot threshold and is repriced as new construction, the Green Building Fee at $0.002 per sq ft would apply at that point.

Key Takeaways
  • DC's detached garage permit is a flat $65 building permit fee under Section a of the DOB Building Permit Fee Schedule, with the universal 10% Enhanced Fee on top - $65 + $6.50 = $71.50 all-in. A new detached garage and a new shed are the same published line item ("Garage (new) or shed (new)"), so the flat structure applies identically to both.
  • The fee does NOT scale with garage size, number of bays, declared construction value, or scope below the cubic-foot threshold. A 240 sq ft one-car garage, a 440 sq ft two-car garage, and a 720 sq ft three-car garage all cost $71.50 under the flat-rate path. This is structurally different from value-based jurisdictions like Henrico County ($100 + $6 per $1,000 over $5,000, capped $680) or square-foot jurisdictions like Fairfax County ($0.143 per sq ft wood frame, $72 minimum).
  • There is no DC equivalent of the Virginia 2% state building permit levy. DC is a federal district, not part of any state, and operates under its own DCMR Title 12-A Construction Codes Supplement of 2017 (as amended). The DOB Enhanced Fee (10% of every DOB fee) is the only universal surcharge that applies to the flat-rate garage permit.
  • The Green Building Fee does NOT apply to flat-rate garage permits. The GBF applies to alterations valued $1,001-$1,000,000 (0.13% of construction value) and to new construction priced per square foot ($0.002 per sq ft) - neither method applies to a flat-rate $65 garage permit. If your garage is large enough to be repriced as new construction (cubic-foot method), the Green Building Fee would apply at that point.
  • There is no separate plan review fee on the flat-rate garage permit. DC bundles plan review into the flat $65 building permit fee for standard detached garages. This is structurally different from Virginia jurisdictions like Fairfax County that add 50% of building permit as a separate plan review line, or Chesterfield County that adds a separate $50 Environmental Engineering fee.
  • Trade permits (electrical for garage lighting and outlets, plus plumbing or mechanical if added) are filed separately under DC's Section d trade permit schedules. Each trade permit carries its own 10% Enhanced Fee. Even a basic garage with one lighting circuit and a couple of outlets would add an Instant Permit electrical fee (rough $22 first device + 10% Enhanced = $24.20) plus any standard electrical permit fees if the work exceeds Instant Permit scope. Confirm trade permit scope at DOB filing.
  • DC's $71.50 is the cheapest verified DMV jurisdiction for a standard detached garage. For a 2-car, 440 sq ft, $25,000 garage, Fairfax County is $110.16, Henrico County is $224.40, and Chesterfield County is $340.70 - all higher than DC's flat $71.50.
  • The DOB fee schedule notes that larger garages with significant cubic footage may be priced as new construction at $0.03 per cubic foot instead of the flat $65 - confirm scope with DOB at filing if your garage is structurally large enough to potentially trigger the cubic-foot path. An oversized 720 sq ft garage at a 10 ft ceiling (7,200 cubic feet) would price at $0.03 x 7,200 = $216 building permit + 10% Enhanced = $237.60 all-in (estimate) if reclassified as new construction.
Calculate Your Garage Permit All Washington DC Permit Fees

DC Garage Permit Fee Components

DC's detached garage permit fee has two components: the flat $65 base building permit fee under Section a of the DOB Building Permit Fee Schedule, and the universal 10% DOB Enhanced Fee applied to all DOB fees. Because the building permit is flat-rate and the Enhanced Fee is a fixed percentage of the base, the all-in fee is the same for every standard detached garage - $71.50 - regardless of footprint, number of bays, or declared construction value below the cubic-foot threshold. The breakdown below shows the same component math for every flat-rate garage.

Component 1-car, 240 sq ft 2-car, 440 sq ft 3-car, 720 sq ft
Section a flat permit fee (garage new or shed new) $65.00 $65.00 $65.00
10% DOB Enhanced Fee (on $65) $6.50 $6.50 $6.50
All-in garage permit total (flat-rate path) $71.50 $71.50 $71.50

Source: DC Department of Buildings Building Permit Fee Schedule, Section a (Garage (new) or shed (new)), live schedule at dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 captured April 25, 2026. The 10% Enhanced Fee is required per Section a of the same fee schedule and applies to every DOB fee. There is no state levy (DC is a federal district, not a state). There is no separate plan review fee on the flat-rate garage permit; plan review is bundled into the $65 base. The Green Building Fee does NOT apply to flat-rate garage permits per the GBF scope (alterations $1,001-$1M or new construction priced per square foot). The 3-car / oversized column assumes the flat-rate path applies; larger garages with significant cubic footage may instead be reclassified as new construction at $0.03 per cubic foot at DOB's discretion (see worked Example 3 below). Trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately under Section d and are excluded from this component breakdown.

Worked Examples - Real Garage Projects in Washington DC

DC charges the same flat fee whether your detached garage is a 240 sq ft single bay or a 440 sq ft two-car structure, as long as it stays within the flat-rate path. The first two examples below show the same $71.50 outcome because the building permit is flat $65 and the 10% Enhanced Fee adds a fixed $6.50. DC's predictability is its main feature - the math is identical for every standard detached garage under the flat-rate path. Examples 3 and 4 show what happens if a larger garage or garage-plus-workshop is reclassified as new construction under the cubic-foot method.

Example 1: 1-car detached garage, 240 sq ft, $15,000 declared

A homeowner builds a 12 x 20 foot single-bay detached garage in a DC back yard off the alley. Standard slab, one overhead door, one service door, no utilities at this stage. Total floor area: 240 sq ft. Contractor invoice: $15,000.

  • Floor area: 240 sq ft (within flat-rate path)
  • Declared value: $15,000 (recorded but does not change flat fee)
  • Section a flat permit fee: $65.00
  • 10% DOB Enhanced Fee: $6.50
  • Total: $71.50 (flat-rate path)

Note on historic district review: if the property is in a DC historic district (Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Mount Pleasant, Anacostia, U Street, and others), the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) may require approval BEFORE a garage permit can be filed. HPRB review is separate from the DOB permit fee and may add weeks to the timeline. Confirm historic district status before assuming the $71.50 figure covers your full project. The $71.50 covers only the DOB building permit fee component - garage lighting and outlets are a separate Section d electrical permit.

Example 2: Standard 2-car detached garage, 440 sq ft, $25,000 declared

A homeowner builds a 20 x 22 foot two-car detached garage with two overhead doors and a side service door. Stick-framed shell on a poured slab, no plumbing. Total floor area: 440 sq ft. Contractor invoice: $25,000.

  • Floor area: 440 sq ft (within flat-rate path)
  • Declared value: $25,000 (recorded but does not change flat fee)
  • Section a flat permit fee: $65.00
  • 10% DOB Enhanced Fee: $6.50
  • Total: $71.50 (flat - size-independent)

Note: doubling the footprint from a one-car to a two-car garage and raising declared value from $15,000 to $25,000 does not change the fee. The flat-rate Section a path applies the same $65 + 10% Enhanced regardless of declared value or footprint within the flat-rate ceiling. The same 2-car garage at $25,000 declared would cost $110.16 in Fairfax County, $224.40 in Henrico County, and $340.70 in Chesterfield County.

Example 3: Oversized / 3-car detached garage, 720 sq ft, $40,000 declared (potential reclassification)

A homeowner builds a 24 x 30 foot three-car detached garage at a 10 ft ceiling height (7,200 cubic feet total). The structure is large enough that DOB may reclassify it as new construction priced per cubic foot rather than the flat-rate line. Three overhead doors, no utilities at this stage. Total floor area: 720 sq ft. Contractor invoice: $40,000.

  • Floor area: 720 sq ft at 10 ft ceiling = 7,200 cubic feet
  • Declared value: $40,000 (recorded for project record)
  • Scenario A (flat-rate Section a applies): $65 + $6.50 Enhanced = $71.50 all-in
  • Scenario B (DOB reclassifies as new construction priced per cubic foot):
  • 720 sq ft x 10 ft ceiling = 7,200 cubic ft
  • $0.03 per cubic foot x 7,200 cubic ft = $216 building permit
  • 10% Enhanced on $216 = $21.60
  • Estimated total: $237.60 all-in (estimate - confirm scope with DOB)
  • Confirm scope with DOB at filing - the line that applies depends on DOB's classification of the structure.

Note: this is the structural scenario where DC's flat-rate garage path may be reclassified. The DOB fee schedule notes that larger garages with significant cubic footage may be priced as new construction at $0.03 per cubic foot. Even at the higher reclassified rate ($237.60 estimate), DC remains competitive against the same 3-car garage at $40,000 declared in Chesterfield County ($340.70). Confirm classification with DOB before assuming either path applies.

Example 4: Garage + workshop, 900 sq ft, $60,000 declared (potential reclassification)

A homeowner builds a large detached garage with an attached unfinished workshop bay - 30 x 30 feet at a 10 ft ceiling (9,000 cubic feet total). The structure is large enough that DOB may reclassify it as new construction priced per cubic foot rather than the flat-rate shed/garage line. No utilities at this stage; trade permits would be filed separately if electrical or plumbing were added. Total floor area: 900 sq ft. Contractor invoice: $60,000.

  • Floor area: 900 sq ft at 10 ft ceiling = 9,000 cubic feet
  • Declared value: $60,000 (recorded for project record)
  • Scenario A (flat-rate Section a applies): $65 + $6.50 Enhanced = $71.50 all-in
  • Scenario B (DOB reclassifies as new construction priced per cubic foot):
  • 900 sq ft x 10 ft ceiling = 9,000 cubic ft
  • $0.03 per cubic foot x 9,000 cubic ft = $270 building permit
  • 10% Enhanced on $270 = $27.00
  • Estimated total: $297.00 all-in (estimate - confirm with DOB)
  • Confirm scope with DOB at filing - the line that applies depends on DOB's classification of the structure.

Note: a garage-plus-workshop at this scale is the most likely candidate for cubic-foot reclassification. The flat $71.50 path covers standard detached garages; the cubic-foot path covers large garages and workshop-scale structures. The estimated $297.00 figure excludes the Green Building Fee (which would add roughly $0.002 per sq ft + 10% Enhanced if the per-square-foot new-construction path is applied) and excludes any Section d trade permits for the workshop's electrical or mechanical scope. Confirm classification and full fee scope with DOB before budgeting.

Calculate Your Washington DC Garage Permit

The PermitPrice fee calculator supports DC's flat-rate detached garage permit directly. Pick "Washington, DC" and the garage/shed flat-rate project type in the calculator dropdowns; the calculator returns $71.50 for any standard detached garage under the flat-rate path. The cubic-foot new-construction reclassification scenario is not calculator-supported - if DOB reclassifies your structure as new construction at the filing review, the cubic-foot math applies and the price climbs accordingly (see Examples 3 and 4 above). Trade permits (electrical for garage lighting and outlets, plus plumbing or mechanical) are filed separately under Section d and are not modeled in the calculator UI.

Rule of thumb for DC garages: budget the flat $65 building permit fee under Section a plus the 10% DOB Enhanced Fee ($71.50 all-in) for any standard one-car or two-car detached garage. The cubic-foot reclassification path for oversized garages is NOT calculator-supported - confirm scope with DOB at filing for any garage that might trigger reclassification, and add a separate Section d electrical permit for garage lighting and outlets.

Open the Permit Fee Calculator

Cubic-Foot Reclassification, Trade Permits & Exclusions

Cubic-foot reclassification (the biggest variable): The DOB fee schedule notes that larger garages with significant cubic footage may be priced as new construction at $0.03 per cubic foot instead of the flat $65. The published schedule does not state an exact cubic-foot ceiling for the flat-rate path - DOB makes the classification call at filing review. As a rough guide, a standard one-car or two-car detached garage stays in the flat $71.50 path; an oversized three-car or garage-plus-workshop structure (roughly 7,000-9,000+ cubic feet) is the most likely candidate for the cubic-foot path. Under cubic-foot pricing, a 7,200 cubic ft garage prices at $216 + 10% Enhanced = $237.60, and a 9,000 cubic ft structure at $270 + 10% Enhanced = $297.00 (both estimates). The cubic-foot reclassification is at DOB's discretion for larger structures - confirm at filing.

Trade permits (filed separately under Section d): Most garages add electrical scope for lighting, outlets, and an opener circuit. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work are filed as separate trade permits under Section d of the DOB fee schedule, each carrying its own 10% Enhanced Fee. Small electrical scopes (one or two lighting circuits or outlets) may qualify for the DOB Instant Permit electrical at $22 first device + 10% Enhanced = $24.20, filed online through the DOB Scout portal. Larger residential electrical scopes (sub-panels, dedicated 240V circuits, EV charging circuits - common in modern garages) require a full electrical permit under Section d with tiered pricing - confirm scope at filing.

Scope exclusions: The flat $71.50 is the building permit only. Electrical and other trade permits are filed separately under Section d with their own pricing and their own 10% Enhanced Fee. Historic district (HPRB) review is a separate process required before filing for properties in DC historic districts. Attached garages tied into the dwelling structure may be priced as an addition rather than a flat-rate detached structure. The cubic-foot reclassification at $0.03 per cubic foot is at DOB's discretion for larger garages. Materials, slab, labor, and site preparation costs are not part of the permit fee. Confirm all scope with DOB at 202-671-3500 or through the Scout portal at scout.dob.dc.gov before budgeting.

DC Garage Permit Cost vs Virginia Neighbors

DC's flat $71.50 is the cheapest verified DMV jurisdiction for a standard detached garage. The structural advantage comes from three things: a low $65 base flat rate, no state levy (DC is a federal district), and no separate plan review fee on flat-rate garage permits. The matrix below holds the project constant across four scopes - each row lists both square footage and declared value so every jurisdiction can be priced on its own method. For permitted detached garages where the flat-rate path applies, DC is structurally the cheapest option in the region.

Garage Scope Fairfax Henrico Chesterfield Washington, DC
1-car, 240 sq ft, $15,000 $110.16 $163.20 $340.70 $71.50
2-car, 440 sq ft, $25,000 $110.16 $224.40 $340.70 $71.50
3-car / oversized, 720 sq ft, $40,000 $157.53 $316.20 $340.70 $71.50
Garage + workshop, 900 sq ft, $60,000 $196.91 $438.60 $340.70 $71.50

Method labels: Fairfax = per-sq-ft new construction ($0.143/sq ft wood frame, $72 min) + 50% PR + 2% levy; Henrico = $100 + $6/$1k over $5k (cap $680 BP) + 2% levy; Chesterfield = flat $285 + $50 Environmental Engineering + 2% levy = $340.70; DC = flat $65 + 10% Enhanced = $71.50 (large garages may reclassify to $0.03/cu ft). Methods differ - Fairfax and DC price garages as new construction (square footage / cubic footage), Henrico by declared value, Chesterfield by flat fee; each scope lists both square footage and declared value so every jurisdiction can be priced. Loudoun, Norfolk, Richmond, and Virginia Beach are not shown because their official fee schedules carry no discrete new-detached-garage line item. The DC flat figure assumes the flat-rate path; larger garages reclassified to cubic-foot pricing cost more (see Examples 3 and 4 above).

DMV Comparison Math

For a full DC permit fee breakdown across all residential project types, see the DC jurisdiction page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Three structural reasons make DC's garage permit the cheapest in the DMV. First, the base building permit fee is low ($65 flat under Section a, the same line item DC uses for new sheds). Second, there is no Virginia 2% state levy (DC is a federal district and operates under DCMR Title 12-A, not the Virginia USBC). Third, the flat-rate Section a path bundles plan review into the $65 base rather than adding a separate plan review fee (Fairfax County adds 50% of the building permit as plan review; Chesterfield County adds a separate $50 Environmental Engineering fee). The 10% DOB Enhanced Fee adds only $6.50 to the flat $65 base, yielding $71.50 all-in. The catch: DC's flat-rate path applies to standard detached garages and small structures; oversized garages may be reclassified as new construction priced per cubic foot ($0.03 per cubic foot), which can produce a higher all-in fee.
Yes. The DC Department of Buildings publishes a single combined Section a line item - "Garage (new) or shed (new)" - at a flat $65 building permit fee. A new detached garage and a new shed are priced identically under the flat-rate path, both arriving at $71.50 all-in after the 10% DOB Enhanced Fee. That is why this DC garage guide and the DC shed permit guide share the same base figure. The only practical difference is scope: a garage is more likely than a shed to add electrical (lighting, outlets, an opener circuit, sometimes an EV charger), which is a separate Section d trade permit, and a large garage-plus-workshop is more likely to cross the cubic-foot threshold that can trigger new-construction reclassification at $0.03 per cubic foot.
The DOB fee schedule notes that larger garages with significant cubic footage may be priced as new construction at $0.03 per cubic foot instead of the flat $65. The published schedule does not state an exact cubic-foot ceiling for the flat-rate garage path - DOB makes the classification call at filing review. As a rough guide, a standard one-car (240 sq ft) or two-car (440 sq ft) detached garage stays in the flat $71.50 path; an oversized 720 sq ft three-car garage at a 10 ft ceiling (7,200 cubic ft) or a 900 sq ft garage-plus-workshop (9,000 cubic ft) is the kind of structure DOB may reclassify. Under the cubic-foot path, a 7,200 cubic ft garage prices at $216 + 10% Enhanced = $237.60, and a 9,000 cubic ft structure at $270 + 10% Enhanced = $297.00 (both estimates - confirm with DOB). Classification is the single biggest variable in DC garage permit pricing.
Possibly. DC's Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) regulates exterior construction visible from public right-of-way in DC historic districts (Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Mount Pleasant, Anacostia, U Street, Strivers Section, Sheridan-Kalorama, Foxhall Village, Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, and others - the full list is on the DC Office of Planning historic preservation page). Detached garages off an alley are common in historic DC neighborhoods, so if your garage is visible from the street or alley in a historic district, HPRB may require review and approval BEFORE the DOB garage permit can be filed. HPRB review is separate from the $71.50 DOB permit fee, can take weeks, and may require design modifications. Confirm historic district status for your address through the DC Office of Planning before assuming the $71.50 figure covers your full project budget. The $71.50 covers the DOB building permit fee only.
DC residential trade permits are filed separately from the building permit under Section d of the DOB fee schedule. Most garages add electrical for lighting, outlets, and an opener circuit. Small electrical scopes (one or two circuits or devices) may qualify for the DOB Instant Permit electrical at $22 first device + 10% Enhanced = $24.20. Larger scopes common in modern garages (sub-panels, dedicated 240V circuits, EV charging circuits) require a full electrical permit under Section d with tiered pricing - confirm scope at filing through the DOB Scout portal at scout.dob.dc.gov. Each trade permit carries its own 10% Enhanced Fee on top of the flat $71.50 building permit. Plumbing or mechanical permits (a utility sink or a heated workshop bay) are also Section d filings with separate pricing.
No - not for flat-rate Section a garage permits. The DC Green Building Fee (GBF) applies only in two scopes: alterations valued $1,001-$1,000,000 (0.13% of construction value) and new construction priced per square foot ($0.002 per sq ft). The flat $65 garage permit is neither - it is a fixed flat-rate accessory structure permit under Section a, and the GBF scope does not reach it. The 10% Enhanced Fee is the only universal surcharge that applies to the flat-rate garage permit. If your garage is large enough to be reclassified as new construction under the cubic-foot path, the Green Building Fee at $0.002 per sq ft would apply at that point - on a 900 sq ft structure that adds roughly $1.80 GBF plus its own 10% Enhanced, a small line item relative to the cubic-foot building permit.
No - DC bundles plan review into the flat $65 Section a building permit fee for standard detached garages and sheds. There is no separate plan review line item on the flat-rate garage permit. This is structurally different from Fairfax County, which adds 50% of the building permit fee as a separate plan review, and from Chesterfield County, which adds a separate $50 Environmental Engineering fee to its flat garage permit ($285 flat + $50 EE + 2% levy = $340.70). DC's bundling makes the $71.50 figure a true all-in number for the building permit side. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for garages with utility scope are filed separately and have their own pricing - those are not included in the $71.50.
Yes. The DC Department of Buildings Scout portal at scout.dob.dc.gov is the standard online filing system for DC building permits, including detached garage permits. Filing through Scout typically allows the flat $71.50 permit to be processed without an in-person visit. Larger or more complex garages (anything DOB might reclassify as new construction under the cubic-foot path) may require a plans-examination intake at the DOB office at 1100 4th Street SW. DOB office hours are Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 8:30am-4:00pm and Thu 9:30am-4:00pm. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for garage lighting, outlets, or an opener circuit are also filed through Scout under separate Section d permit types. The Scout portal handles fee payment, plan upload, status tracking, and inspection scheduling for the entire DC permit lifecycle. You can also reach DOB at 202-671-3500 to confirm scope before filing.

Sources

Official .gov Sources - Verified April 2026
  • DC Department of Buildings - Building Permit Fee Schedule Live schedule captured April 25, 2026 - DC Department of Buildings - Primary source for the flat $65 building permit fee under Section a ("Garage (new) or shed (new)"), the universal 10% DOB Enhanced Fee that applies to every DOB fee, and the cubic-foot new construction reclassification path at $0.03 per cubic foot for larger structures.
  • DC DOB Scout Portal - Online Permit Filing Accessed April 25, 2026 - DC Department of Buildings - Official online portal for filing building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits in Washington, DC; the destination for filing the detached garage permit and any required trade permits, and for confirming trade permit scope before assuming Instant Permit pricing applies.
  • DC Department of Buildings - Permitting in the District of Columbia Current - DC Department of Buildings - General permitting reference page covering DCMR Title 12-A (Construction Codes Supplement of 2017, as amended), historic preservation review processes, trade permit scope, and the relationship between Section a flat-rate permits and Section d trade permits.
Next Step

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

Always verify current garage permit fees, cubic-foot reclassification thresholds, historic preservation review requirements, and trade permit scope directly with the DC Department of Buildings before budgeting or filing. This guide is informational and is not a substitute for confirmation from your local building department - verify with your local building department before relying on any figure. The DOB Building Permit Fee Schedule at dob.dc.gov/node/1620346 is a live page that may update without notice and is the source of truth for this guide. Call DOB at 202-671-3500 or use the Scout portal at scout.dob.dc.gov to confirm the flat $65 Section a path applies to your specific garage, to verify whether your project triggers cubic-foot reclassification, to check whether HPRB historic preservation review is required for your address, and to get itemized trade permit costs for garage lighting, outlets, or any electrical, plumbing, or HVAC scope.
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 flat $65 building permit fee plus 10% Enhanced Fee ($71.50 all-in) is sourced from the DOB Building Permit Fee Schedule, Section a (Garage (new) or shed (new)) at dob.dc.gov/node/1620346, captured live on April 25, 2026. The DOB schedule is a live page that may update without notice. Larger garages with significant cubic footage may be reclassified as new construction priced per cubic foot ($0.03 per cubic foot) at DOB's discretion at filing review - the $237.60 and $297.00 cubic-foot figures in this guide are estimates, not quotations. The Green Building Fee does NOT apply to flat-rate Section a garage permits but does apply to alterations valued $1,001-$1,000,000 and to new construction priced per square foot. Historic preservation review (HPRB) is a separate process required for properties in DC historic districts and is not included in the $71.50 building permit fee. Trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) under Section d are filed separately with their own pricing and their own 10% Enhanced Fee. The Virginia comparison figures (Fairfax, Henrico, Chesterfield) are derived from each jurisdiction's published fee method and are estimates for the stated scopes.

Written by: Munib Ur Rehman

Data verified against official fee schedule documents.