Albemarle County, VA Building Permit Fees (2026)
Actual residential building permit fees from Albemarle County Code Chapter 1, Article 5, Sec. 1-501 Building Fees and Sec. 1-505 (Ord. 23-1(1), adopted December 6, 2023), checked against the fee table on the county's Community Development Fees page. Verified directly against both official sources on October 19, 2026.
This page covers: The residential building permit fees in Albemarle County Code Sec. 1-501. A new single-family home is a flat building fee set by home size, from $500 (under 1,500 sq ft) to $4,000 (over 7,500 sq ft). Alterations, additions and repairs are $0.20 per sq ft with a $90 minimum. Residential accessory structures (attached or detached garages, sheds, decks, and porches 10 sq ft or larger) are $0.18 per sq ft of gross finished square footage with a $35 minimum. Pools, hot tubs, spas and tents are $60, demolition is $110, and a mobile or prefabricated home is $55. Albemarle County Community Development issues these permits for the county.
Two surcharges are added: Sec. 1-505 adds a 4% technology surcharge to each fee. It does not apply to the State Permit Issuance Fee. USBC Section 107.2 (13VAC5-63-70) requires local building departments to collect a 2.0% levy of fees charged for building-code permits (enabling statute: Code of Virginia 36-137). Albemarle's schedule names the State Permit Issuance Fee but does not print its rate, so the 2% on this page is the rate PermitPrice applies, as it does for other Virginia localities.
Plan review on a new home is not settled by the code: The schedule lists a separate Building - Residential Plan Review fee of $0.05 per sq ft (minimum $10), plus matching electrical, mechanical and plumbing residential plan review lines. The code does not say whether plan review, or separate trade permits, are added to the size-tier fee on a new home. This page shows the tier-line total and, separately, a total with building plan review added. For a 2,000 sq ft home that is $1,060.00 or $1,164.00.
Tier gaps: The size tiers read "less than 1,500" and "1,501-2,500," so a home of exactly 1,500 sq ft is not assigned to a tier, and the code does not define how square footage is measured. Ask Community Development how your plans will be measured.
This page does NOT cover: Water protection and land disturbance fees (the single-family land disturbance plan review and permit is $235 under Sec. 1-503), zoning clearance, Albemarle County Service Authority water and sewer connection fees, Health Department well and septic approvals, and commercial fees. These are excluded from every figure here. The Town of Scottsville's permit arrangement was not verified, so Scottsville residents should confirm which office issues their permit. Charlottesville is an independent city with its own permit office and is not covered by this page.
A new single-family home building permit in Albemarle County is a flat size-tier fee from $500 (under 1,500 sq ft) to $4,000 (over 7,500 sq ft). A 2,000 sq ft home is $1,000, or $1,060.00 with the 4% technology surcharge and 2% state levy. If the $0.05 per sq ft residential plan review is also charged, the total is $1,164.00. Additions and alterations are $0.20 per sq ft (minimum $90), and decks, sheds and garages are $0.18 per sq ft (minimum $35).
- A new single-family home pays a flat building fee by size: $500 under 1,500 sq ft, $1,000 for 1,501-2,500, $1,500 for 2,501-3,500, $2,000 for 3,501-4,500, $3,000 for 4,501-7,500 and $4,000 over 7,500 sq ft.
- With the 4% technology surcharge and the 2% state levy PermitPrice applies, the tier fees become $530.00, $1,060.00, $1,590.00, $2,120.00, $3,180.00 and $4,240.00.
- Additions, alterations and repairs are $0.20 per sq ft with a $90 minimum, so a 600 sq ft addition is $120.00 before surcharges and $127.20 after.
- Garages, sheds, decks and porches 10 sq ft or larger are $0.18 per sq ft with a $35 minimum, so a 300 sq ft deck is $54.00, or $57.24 with surcharges.
- A separate Building - Residential Plan Review line is $0.05 per sq ft (minimum $10). The code does not say whether it is added on a new home, so this page shows totals with and without it.
- Fences (unless for safety or a pool barrier), patios, flagpoles and tents under 900 sq ft need no building permit. Detached one-level sheds under 256 sq ft need zoning approval only.
Albemarle County is not yet in the PermitPrice calculator. Use the worked examples below for Albemarle figures.
Albemarle County Building Permit Fee Structure
Albemarle County sets its building fees in County Code Sec. 1-501. New single-family homes use flat size tiers, and most other residential work is priced per square foot with a minimum. The tables below show the figures as written in the code and on the county's Community Development Fees page, before the 4% technology surcharge and the state levy.
New single-family home (flat building fee by size)
| Home size | Building fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 1,500 sq ft | $500 |
| 1,501 - 2,500 sq ft | $1,000 |
| 2,501 - 3,500 sq ft | $1,500 |
| 3,501 - 4,500 sq ft | $2,000 |
| 4,501 - 7,500 sq ft | $3,000 |
| Greater than 7,500 sq ft | $4,000 |
The tiers as written leave exactly 1,500 sq ft unassigned, and the code does not define the square-footage measure. Confirm both with Community Development.
Other residential building permits
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Alterations, additions and repairs (all use groups) | $0.20 per sq ft, min $90 |
| Residential accessory structure (garages, sheds, decks, porches 10 sq ft or larger) | $0.18 per sq ft gross finished, min $35 |
| Building - Residential Plan Review | $0.05 per sq ft, min $10 |
| Tents and residential swimming pools, hot tubs, spas | $60 |
| Demolition | $110 |
| Mobile or prefabricated home | $55 |
The county's Community Development Fees page labels the first line "Alterations/Additions/Repairs of Structures in All Use Groups." Municode labels it "Alteration/Repairs." PermitPrice applies it to residential additions on the county page's wording.
Trade permits (residential)
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Electrical - additions, alterations, repairs | $0.04 per sq ft, min $90 |
| Electrical - accessory structures, service change, pool/hot tub/spa, mobile homes | $35 (bonding and wiring separate fees) |
| Electrical - temporary service | $110 |
| Electrical - early service | $70 |
| Mechanical - additions, alterations, repairs | $0.04 per sq ft, min $90 |
| Mechanical - furnace, woodstove, gas log | $75 |
| Mechanical - gas or oil lines | $40 |
| Plumbing - additions, alterations, repairs | $10 per fixture, min $90 |
| Plumbing - residential accessory structures | $35 |
| Plumbing - sewer laterals, water lines | $30 each (unless included in a permit) |
| Electrical, mechanical, plumbing residential plan review | $0.05 per sq ft, min $10 each |
Inspection and administrative fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Re-inspection (after the second) | $100 |
| Zoning inspection (each) | $25 |
| Working without a permit | $250 |
| Permit extension | $75 |
| Permits and plan amendments | $35 |
| Change of contractor | $35 |
Albemarle County Permit Fee Components
An Albemarle County residential permit is the Sec. 1-501 fee, plus the 4% county technology surcharge on that fee, plus the Virginia state levy on the permit fee.
| Component | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit (Sec. 1-501 fee) | $500 - $4,000 new home / $0.20 or $0.18 per sq ft | Exact from the county code |
| Technology surcharge | 4% | On each fee; not on the State Permit Issuance Fee (Sec. 1-505) |
| Virginia state levy (State Permit Issuance Fee) | 2% (our applied rate) | Required at 2.0% by USBC Section 107.2 (13VAC5-63-70); rate not printed by Albemarle |
| Building - Residential Plan Review | $0.05 per sq ft, min $10 | Whether it is added on a new home is not stated; shown separately in the examples |
| Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) | Separate lines | Not included in any building-permit total on this page |
| Land disturbance, zoning, utility, health fees | Separate schedules | Excluded from every figure on this page |
How the totals on this page are built: fee + (fee x 4%) + (fee x 2%). For a $1,000 tier fee that is $1,000.00 + $40.00 + $20.00 = $1,060.00. When plan review is added, it gets the 4% technology surcharge but not the 2% levy. That is PermitPrice's reading, because the code does not say whether the state levy applies to plan review.
Worked Examples
Every base fee below is exact from Albemarle County Code Sec. 1-501. The 4% technology surcharge is from Sec. 1-505. The 2% state levy is PermitPrice's applied rate, because the county does not print it. Totals that add residential plan review are labeled separately because the code does not say whether plan review is charged on these projects.
Example 1: New 2,000 Sq Ft Single-Family Home
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New home building fee | 1,501-2,500 sq ft tier | $1,000.00 |
| Technology surcharge | $1,000.00 x 4% | $40.00 |
| Virginia state levy (our applied rate) | $1,000.00 x 2% | $20.00 |
| Tier-line total | fee + 4% + 2% | $1,060.00 |
| If residential plan review is charged | 2,000 x $0.05 = $100.00 + $4.00 | $104.00 |
| Total with building plan review | $1,060.00 + $104.00 | $1,164.00 |
Assumptions: The $1,000 tier fee and the 4% technology surcharge are exact from the county code. The 2% levy is our applied rate. The code does not say whether the $0.05 per sq ft Building - Residential Plan Review, or separate electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits and plan review, are added to the tier fee on a new home, so $1,060.00 is the tier-line total and $1,164.00 is the total if building plan review is charged. Trade permits and plan review lines are not totaled. Land disturbance ($235 for single-family plan review and permit), zoning, ACSA connection and Health Department fees are separate. Source: Albemarle County Code Sec. 1-501 and Sec. 1-505.
Example 2: 600 Sq Ft Home Addition
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Addition building fee | 600 x $0.20 (min $90) | $120.00 |
| Technology surcharge | $120.00 x 4% | $4.80 |
| Virginia state levy (our applied rate) | $120.00 x 2% | $2.40 |
| Building permit total | fee + 4% + 2% | $127.20 |
| Total if residential plan review is charged | + 600 x $0.05 = $30.00 + $1.20 | $158.40 |
Assumptions: The addition is priced on the line the county fee page calls "Alterations/Additions/Repairs of Structures in All Use Groups" at $0.20 per sq ft. An alteration under 450 sq ft hits the $90 minimum, which is $95.40 with the surcharge and levy. Electrical and mechanical work for an addition is $0.04 per sq ft each (minimum $90) and plumbing is $10 per fixture (minimum $90); those trade permits are not included. Source: Albemarle County Code Sec. 1-501 and the Community Development Fees page.
Example 3: 300 Sq Ft Deck or Detached Shed
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Accessory structure building fee | 300 x $0.18 (min $35) | $54.00 |
| Technology surcharge | $54.00 x 4% | $2.16 |
| Virginia state levy (our applied rate) | $54.00 x 2% | $1.08 |
| Building permit total | fee + 4% + 2% | $57.24 |
Assumptions: Decks, porches 10 sq ft or larger, sheds and attached or detached garages share the $0.18 per sq ft accessory line, measured on gross finished square footage. A 300 sq ft detached shed is the same $57.24. A detached one-level storage shed under 256 sq ft needs zoning approval only, not a building permit, but electrical or plumbing work in a shed needs its own permit ($35 each for accessory structures). Source: Albemarle County Code Sec. 1-501 and the county building permit page.
Example 4: Residential Pool and Demolition
| Project | Rule Applied | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Residential pool, hot tub or spa (building line) | $60.00 + $2.40 + $1.20 | $63.60 |
| Demolition | $110.00 + $4.40 + $2.20 | $116.60 |
Assumptions: Each total is the flat Sec. 1-501 fee plus the 4% technology surcharge plus our applied 2% levy. A pool also has a $35 electrical line, and the schedule says bonding and wiring are separate fees, so pool electrical is not totaled here. A fence that serves as a pool barrier needs a building permit; the schedule has no separate fence fee line, so confirm how it is charged. Source: Albemarle County Code Sec. 1-501 and Sec. 1-505.
Read before you budget from these examples
- Plan review is an open question: the code lists $0.05 per sq ft residential plan review lines but does not say whether they are added on a new home or addition. Totals with and without building plan review are shown; trade plan review is not totaled.
- The 2% levy is our applied rate: Albemarle names the State Permit Issuance Fee but does not print its rate. USBC Section 107.2 (13VAC5-63-70) sets the levy at 2.0% (enabling statute Code of Virginia 36-137). We apply it to the permit fee, not to plan review.
- Trade permits are extra: electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits are separate lines and are not in any building-permit total above.
- Site fees are excluded: land disturbance, zoning, ACSA water and sewer, and Health Department well and septic fees are set separately.
Practitioner Insight
Albemarle County prices a new home by size band, so the fee jumps at each tier edge. A 2,500 sq ft home is $1,000 and a 2,501 sq ft home is $1,500, a $500 difference for one square foot. If your plans sit near a tier edge, ask Community Development (434-296-5832) how it measures square footage before you finalize them, because the code does not define the measure.
The second thing to settle early is plan review. The schedule has a separate $0.05 per sq ft residential plan review line, and on a 2,000 sq ft home that is the difference between $1,060.00 and $1,164.00. Down US-29, Lynchburg prices permits by construction value instead, with a 10% plan checking fee. For comparison, Hanover County charges one flat new-dwelling fee at any size. You can also compare Henrico County permit fees and Fauquier County permit fees to see how other Virginia counties structure residential permits.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Albemarle County
| Project Type | Permit Required? | Fee Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New single-family home | Yes | $500 - $4,000 by size | 2,000 sq ft: $1,060.00 with surcharge and levy |
| Addition or alteration | Yes | $0.20 per sq ft, min $90 | 600 sq ft: $127.20 with surcharge and levy |
| Deck, porch, garage | Yes | $0.18 per sq ft, min $35 | Porches and decks 10 sq ft or larger |
| Shed | Depends | $0.18 per sq ft, min $35 | Detached one-level shed under 256 sq ft: zoning approval only |
| Swimming pool, hot tub, spa | Yes | $60 | Electrical $35; bonding and wiring separate fees |
| Demolition | Yes | $110 | $116.60 with surcharge and levy |
| Fence | Usually no | None listed | Permit needed if it is for safety or a pool barrier |
| Patio, flagpole, tent under 900 sq ft | No | None | No building permit required |
| Retaining wall 3 ft or less | Zoning only | None listed | Zoning approval only |
Which projects need a permit, and which fee line applies, is decided by Albemarle County Community Development under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The county notes that electrical or plumbing work for a shed needs separate permits, and that properties on a well or septic system may need Health Department approval. When unsure, contact Community Development before starting work.
Albemarle County Community Development
Community Development
401 McIntire Road, North Wing, Charlottesville, VA 22902 · 434-296-5832 · applicationservices@albemarle.org
Monday - Friday
Walk-in lobby 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
When This Estimate May Not Apply
Plan review or trade permits are charged on your new home
The code does not say whether the $0.05 per sq ft residential plan review lines or separate trade permits are added to the size-tier fee. If building plan review is charged, a 2,000 sq ft home rises from $1,060.00 to $1,164.00; trade permits and trade plan review would add more.
Your home is near a tier edge or exactly 1,500 sq ft
The tiers leave exactly 1,500 sq ft unassigned, and the code does not define how square footage is measured. The county decides which tier applies.
The state levy is charged at a different rate
USBC Section 107.2 (13VAC5-63-70) sets the levy at 2.0% (enabling statute Code of Virginia 36-137); Albemarle does not print its rate or say which fees it covers. Every total on this page applies 2%.
You live in Scottsville or Charlottesville
PermitPrice has not verified which office issues permits in the Town of Scottsville, so confirm before you apply. Charlottesville is an independent city with its own permit office and fee schedule.
Plans change, work starts early, or inspections fail
Permit and plan amendments are $35, each re-inspection after the second is $100, and working without a permit is $250.
Site and utility fees apply to a new build
Land disturbance ($235 for a single-family plan review and permit), zoning, Albemarle County Service Authority water and sewer connection, and Health Department well and septic fees are separate from the building permit and can be much larger.
Source note: Fees come from Albemarle County Code Chapter 1, Article 5, Sec. 1-501 Building Fees and Sec. 1-505 (Ord. 23-1(1), adopted December 6, 2023), in the Municode version dated August 28, 2026, and the matching table on the county's Community Development Fees page. The ordinance does not print an effective date. Both were read on October 19, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
-
Albemarle County Code Ch. 1, Art. 5, Sec. 1-501 Building Fees and Sec. 1-505 (Municode) Ord. 23-1(1), adopted December 6, 2023; effective date not printed; Municode version August 28, 2026 (current) · Source of the $500-$4,000 size tiers, the $0.20 and $0.18 per sq ft rates, plan review, trade and administrative fees, and the 4% technology surcharge · Verified October 19, 2026
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Albemarle County - Community Development Fees Current · County fee table matching Sec. 1-501, including the "Alterations/Additions/Repairs of Structures in All Use Groups" line and the technology surcharge row · Verified October 19, 2026
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Albemarle County - Building Permit Current · Projects that need no building permit or zoning approval only, contact details and office hours · Verified October 19, 2026
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Code of Virginia 36-137 - USBC State Levy Authority Current · Virginia General Assembly · Enabling statute for the levy; USBC Section 107.2 (13VAC5-63-70) requires local building departments to collect it at 2.0% of fees charged for building-code permits
See how Albemarle County's size-tier fees compare with other Virginia localities, or estimate fees in covered jurisdictions.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Albemarle County permit cost, two related numbers round out your total budget picture:
Property tax impact after your project closes
A permitted addition, garage or new home may change the property's assessed value in Albemarle County. The locality's assessor determines that value, separately from this permit fee.
Land disturbance, zoning and utility fees for larger projects
Albemarle County's water protection and land disturbance fees (Sec. 1-503) and zoning fees (Sec. 1-504) are set in separate sections of the county code, and water and sewer connections are billed by the Albemarle County Service Authority. They are excluded from the figures above.
These charges are administered separately from the building permit fee, though the responsible office and billing process vary by jurisdiction. See which tool covers each charge →