Skip to main content

Washington DC Shed Permit Cost (2026)

Residential shed 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). DC publishes the "Garage (new) or shed (new)" line item as a flat $65 building permit fee under Section a of the fee schedule, 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 any new residential shed under 1,000 sq ft. The flat fee does not scale with shed size, declared construction value, or scope below the cubic-foot threshold. There is no DC equivalent of the Virginia 2% state levy, no separate plan review fee for the flat-rate shed permit, and the Green Building Fee does not apply to flat-rate shed 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 residential shed). At $71.50 all-in, DC is the cheapest verified DMV jurisdiction for residential shed permits.

Base Building Permit
$65 flat (Section a)
10% DOB Enhanced Fee
$6.50 on $65
All-In Shed Permit Cost
$71.50 (size-independent)
Green Building Fee
N/A on flat-rate shed
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 residential shed 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 shed or new garage construction under Section a; the universal 10% DOB Enhanced Fee applied to all DOB fees; the resulting $71.50 all-in flat permit cost; and how DC's flat-rate shed 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, plumbing, mechanical) for sheds with utility scope - DC publishes separate Section d trade permit schedules with their own filings and their own 10% Enhanced Fee on top; 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); commercial sheds or accessory structures on commercial parcels (different fee path); accessory dwelling units (ADUs - separate permit category with new construction pricing); zoning approvals required before permit submission (lot occupancy limits, side-yard and rear-yard setback rules, historic district review for properties in HPRB-regulated neighborhoods); historic preservation review (Historic Preservation Review Board approval required before permit application for any structure in a historic district); the cost of the shed kit, installation labor, or site preparation; the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) review for sheds 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 shed 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 sheds): 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 shed 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 shed 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 residential shed 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. The flat structure applies to both new shed and new garage permits per the published line item ("Garage (new) or shed (new)").
  • The fee does NOT scale with shed size, declared construction value, or scope below the cubic-foot threshold. A 100 sq ft pre-fab garden shed, a 320 sq ft workshop, and an 800 sq ft detached workshop 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 Norfolk City ($0.15 per sq ft).
  • 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 shed permit.
  • The Green Building Fee does NOT apply to flat-rate shed 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 shed permit. If your shed 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 shed permit. DC bundles plan review into the flat $65 building permit fee for standard residential sheds. This is structurally different from Virginia jurisdictions like Fairfax County that add 50% of building permit as a separate plan review line, or Norfolk City that uses tiered plan review by area.
  • Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for sheds with utility scope are filed separately under DC's Section d trade permit schedules. Each trade permit carries its own 10% Enhanced Fee. Even a simple shed with one electrical circuit would add an Instant Permit electrical fee (rough $22 base + 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 residential sheds. Norfolk City is $101.00 (accessory $0.15/sq ft formula with $50 building permit minimum + $35 PR + $15 + 2% levy). Henrico County ranges $120.36-$144.84 for typical sheds. Chesterfield County is $166.28 flat for permit-required sheds 257-400 sq ft. Loudoun County is $402.90 bundled flat. Fairfax County ranges $183.60-$550.80 depending on declared value and whether electrical scope is added.
  • 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 shed or garage is structurally large enough to potentially trigger the cubic-foot path. A 20 x 40 x 10 ft detached workshop garage (8,000 cubic feet) would price at $0.03 x 8,000 = $240 under cubic-foot, plus 10% Enhanced = $264, plus the Green Building Fee at $0.002 x 800 sq ft = $1.60 + 10% Enhanced = $1.76, for an estimated $265.76 all-in if repriced as new construction.
Calculate Your Shed Permit All Washington DC Permit Fees

DC Shed Permit Fee Components

DC's residential shed 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 residential shed - $71.50 - regardless of footprint or declared construction value below the cubic-foot threshold. The breakdown below shows the same component math for every flat-rate shed.

Component 100 sq ft garden shed 320 sq ft storage shed 800 sq ft detached workshop
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 shed permit total $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 shed permit; plan review is bundled into the $65 base. The Green Building Fee does NOT apply to flat-rate shed permits per the GBF scope (alterations $1,001-$1M or new construction priced per square foot). Trade permit fees (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately under Section d and are excluded from this component breakdown.

Worked Examples - Real Shed Projects in Washington DC

DC charges the same flat fee whether your shed is 100 sq ft or 800 sq ft, as long as it stays within the flat-rate path. Each worked example below shows 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 the same for every standard residential shed under the flat-rate path. The fourth example shows what happens if a large detached workshop is repriced as new construction under the cubic-foot method.

Example 1: 100 sq ft pre-fab garden shed, $3,000 declared

A homeowner in a DC row-home back yard installs a 10 x 10 foot pre-fab plastic resin garden shed from a big-box retailer. The shed has no plumbing, no electrical, and no built-in workbench requiring power. Total floor area: 100 sq ft. Contractor invoice: $3,000.

  • Floor area: 100 sq ft (within flat-rate path)
  • Declared value: $3,000 (recorded but does not change flat fee)
  • Section a flat permit fee: $65.00
  • 10% DOB Enhanced Fee: $6.50
  • Total: $71.50

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 shed 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.

Example 2: 192 sq ft standard storage shed, $5,000 declared

A homeowner builds a 12 x 16 foot stick-framed storage shed with shelving and a workbench. No electrical, no plumbing. Total floor area: 192 sq ft. Contractor invoice $5,000 (lumber, hardware, basic labor).

  • Floor area: 192 sq ft (well within flat-rate path)
  • Declared value: $5,000 (recorded but does not change flat fee)
  • Section a flat permit fee: $65.00
  • 10% DOB Enhanced Fee: $6.50
  • Total: $71.50

Note: under the published DOB schedule, increasing the declared value from $3,000 to $5,000 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.

Example 3: 320 sq ft workshop shed, $10,000 declared

A homeowner builds a 16 x 20 foot detached workshop shed for woodworking - no utilities, just a structural shell with windows and double doors. Total floor area: 320 sq ft. Contractor invoice $10,000 (premium siding, metal roof, double doors).

  • Floor area: 320 sq ft (still within flat-rate path)
  • Declared value: $10,000 (recorded but does not change flat fee)
  • Section a flat permit fee: $65.00
  • 10% DOB Enhanced Fee: $6.50
  • Total: $71.50

Note: this 320 sq ft workshop at $10,000 declared would cost $144.84 in Henrico County ($100 base + 5 x $6 + 2% levy) and $166.28 in Chesterfield County (flat $114 + $50 EE + 2% levy). DC's $71.50 is approximately 50% of Henrico's price and 43% of Chesterfield's price for the same shed.

Example 4: 800 sq ft / 8,000 cubic ft large detached workshop garage (potential new-construction reclassification)

A homeowner builds a 20 x 40 foot large detached workshop garage at 10 ft ceiling height (8,000 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 line. No utilities; trade permits would be required separately if electrical or plumbing were added. Contractor invoice $30,000 (full stick-framed structure with garage door and finished interior).

  • Floor area: 800 sq ft at 10 ft ceiling = 8,000 cubic feet
  • Declared value: $30,000 (recorded for project record)
  • Scenario A (flat-rate Section a applies): $65 + $6.50 Enhanced = $71.50
  • Scenario B (DOB reclassifies as new construction priced per cubic foot):
  • $0.03 per cubic foot x 8,000 cubic ft = $240 building permit
  • 10% Enhanced on $240 = $24.00
  • Green Building Fee at $0.002 per sq ft x 800 sq ft = $1.60
  • 10% Enhanced on GBF = $0.16
  • Estimated total: $265.76
  • 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 shed 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. The flat $71.50 path covers standard residential sheds; the cubic-foot path covers large garages and ADU-scale structures. Even at the higher reclassified rate ($265.76), DC remains competitive with Henrico's value-based formula on the same project ($30,000 declared would price at $250 building permit in Henrico + $5.00 levy = $255.00 all-in). Confirm classification with DOB before assuming either path applies.

Calculate Your Washington DC Shed Permit

The PermitPrice fee calculator supports DC's flat-rate residential shed permit directly. Pick "Washington, DC" and "Shed" in the calculator dropdowns; the calculator returns $71.50 for any standard residential shed 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. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately under Section d and are not modeled in the calculator UI.

Calculator coverage for DC sheds: the flat $65 building permit fee under Section a plus the 10% DOB Enhanced Fee ($71.50 all-in) is calculator-supported for standard residential sheds. The cubic-foot reclassification path for large garages is NOT calculator-supported - confirm scope with DOB at filing for any shed or garage that might trigger reclassification.

Open the Permit Fee Calculator

Trade Permits for Utility Sheds in Washington DC

Sheds with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical scope typically require separate trade permits beyond the flat $65 building permit in DC. Each trade permit is filed under Section d of the DOB fee schedule and carries its own 10% Enhanced Fee. The trade permit cost depends on the scope of work, the number of circuits or fixtures, and whether the work qualifies for DC's Instant Permit program for small-scope repairs and additions.

Instant Permit (small electrical scope): If your shed has only one or two simple lighting circuits or outlets, the DOB Instant Permit electrical scope may apply. Instant Permit pricing per the DOB schedule: $22 base + 10% Enhanced = $24.20 for the electrical Instant Permit, filed online through the DOB Scout portal. Larger residential electrical scopes (sub-panels, dedicated 240V circuits, EV charging circuits) require a full electrical permit under Section d with tiered pricing - confirm scope at filing.

Plumbing permits: A shed utility sink would typically file as a residential plumbing permit (Section d). Pricing per the schedule: $26 base for first fixture + 10% Enhanced = $28.60 for a single-fixture sink permit. Each additional fixture adds incrementally - confirm scope at filing. Mechanical (HVAC) permits for shed climate control are also Section d with separate pricing. Total trade-permit budget for a shed with one electrical circuit and one plumbing fixture could run $50-$100 on top of the $71.50 building permit, bringing the all-in to roughly $120-$170.

DC Shed Permit Cost vs Virginia Neighbors

DC's flat $71.50 is the cheapest verified DMV jurisdiction for residential shed permits. 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 shed permits. Across the DMV, only Norfolk City (Hampton Roads, not metro DC) comes close at $101.00 - and Norfolk's $30 advantage over Henrico evaporates against DC's $30 advantage over Norfolk. For permitted residential sheds where the flat-rate path applies, DC is structurally the cheapest option.

Jurisdiction Shed Pricing Method Standard 260-320 sq ft Shed All-In
Washington, DC $65 flat + 10% Enhanced $71.50
Norfolk City Accessory $0.15/sq ft ($50 min) + $35 PR + $15 + 2% levy $101.00
Henrico County $100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000 (cap $680) + 2% levy $120.36-$144.84
Richmond City $63 + $6.07/$1,000 over $2,000 + 2% levy $126.94-$151.69
Chesterfield County $114 flat (257-400) + $50 EE + 2% levy $166.28
Fairfax County 3% of value + 50% PR + 2% levy $183.60-$550.80
Loudoun County Bundled $395 flat + 2% levy $402.90

"Standard 260-320 sq ft shed all-in" assumes the standard flat-rate path or, for value-based jurisdictions, $8,000-$12,000 declared construction value. Building permit only - trade permits excluded across all jurisdictions. The DC figure assumes the flat-rate Section a path applies; large garages reclassified as new construction under cubic-foot pricing would run higher (see Example 4 above for the reclassification math). Henrico's range reflects the value-based formula: $8k declared = $120.36, $12k declared = $144.84. The Fairfax range reflects $183.60 for a permit-required 280 sq ft utility-free shed at $4,000 declared up to $550.80 for a 260 sq ft shed with electrical at $12,000 declared.

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 shed permit the cheapest in the DMV. First, the base building permit fee is low ($65 flat under Section a vs $100 in Henrico, $114 in Chesterfield, $395 bundled in Loudoun). 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 adds 50% of building permit as plan review; Norfolk adds tiered plan review by area). 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 only to standard residential sheds and small garages; larger structures may be reclassified as new construction priced per cubic foot ($0.03 per cubic foot), which can produce a higher all-in fee.
No - not for flat-rate Section a shed 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 shed 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 shed permit. If your shed 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 - a 800 sq ft structure would add $1.60 GBF + $0.16 Enhanced on top of the $240 cubic-foot building permit, contributing roughly $2 of GBF math to a $265.76 total.
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 shed path - DOB makes the classification call at filing review. As a rough guide, a 20 x 40 x 10 ft (8,000 cubic ft) detached workshop garage is large enough that DOB may reclassify; a 12 x 16 x 8 ft (1,536 cubic ft) standard storage shed almost certainly stays in the flat-rate path. Under the cubic-foot path, the math becomes: $0.03 per cubic foot building permit + 10% Enhanced + Green Building Fee at $0.002 per sq ft + 10% Enhanced. For an 8,000 cubic ft / 800 sq ft structure, the estimated all-in is $265.76 (vs $71.50 if the flat-rate path applies). Confirm classification with DOB at filing - it is the single biggest variable in DC shed 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). If your shed is visible from the street or alley in a historic district, HPRB may require review and approval BEFORE the DOB shed 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 - HPRB approval, if required, is a separate process with its own timeline and (in some cases) its own fees.
DC residential trade permits are filed separately from the building permit under Section d of the DOB fee schedule. Small electrical scopes (one or two lighting circuits or outlets) may qualify for the DOB Instant Permit electrical at $22 + 10% Enhanced = $24.20. Larger scopes (sub-panels, dedicated 240V circuits, EV chargers) 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. Plumbing fixture permits start at $26 + 10% Enhanced = $28.60 for the first fixture, with each additional fixture adding incrementally. Total trade-permit budget for a shed with one electrical circuit and one plumbing fixture (utility sink) runs roughly $50-$100, bringing the all-in to $120-$170 on top of the $71.50 building permit. Mechanical (HVAC) permits for shed climate control are also Section d. Each trade permit carries its own 10% Enhanced Fee.
DC's published DOB Building Permit Fee Schedule does not list a sub-256 sq ft permit exemption for sheds. DC operates under DCMR Title 12-A (Construction Codes Supplement of 2017, as amended), which is the DC adoption of the International Residential Code (IRC) with DC modifications. The IRC R105.2 statewide exemption that Virginia jurisdictions reference (sheds 256 sq ft and under with no plumbing or electrical) may apply administratively in DC under the same IRC adoption, but DC's DOB fee schedule does not explicitly carve out a sub-256 sq ft exemption from the flat-rate $65 shed permit fee. Whether DOB applies the IRC exemption administratively at staff discretion is unverified in PermitPrice's data. Confirm with DOB at 202-671-3500 or through the Scout portal at scout.dob.dc.gov before assuming a small shed is permit-exempt. The conservative assumption is that the flat $71.50 fee applies to any new residential shed in DC.
No - DC bundles plan review into the flat $65 Section a building permit fee for standard residential sheds and garages. There is no separate plan review line item on the flat-rate shed permit. This is structurally different from Fairfax County, which adds 50% of the building permit fee as a separate plan review (a $200 Fairfax shed permit would add a $100 plan review for $300 subtotal before levy), and from Norfolk City, which uses tiered plan review by area ($35 in the 0-2,500 sq ft tier, $75 at 2,501-5,000 sq ft). DC's bundling makes the $71.50 figure a true all-in number for the building permit side. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) for sheds 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 residential shed permits. Filing through Scout typically allows the flat $71.50 permit to be processed without an in-person visit. Larger or more complex projects (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) 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.

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 residential shed 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 shed permit cost, see all DC fee categories, or compare against DMV neighbors.

Always verify current shed 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. 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 shed, 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 if your shed includes 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 at DOB's discretion at filing review. The Green Building Fee does NOT apply to flat-rate Section a shed 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.

Written by: Munib Ur Rehman

Data verified against official fee schedule documents.