Chesapeake, VA Building Permit Fees (2026)
Actual residential building permit fee structure from the City of Chesapeake Department of Development and Permits Fee Schedule (revised December 31, 2025). Verified directly against the published 49-page city document.
This page covers: The residential building permit fees in the City of Chesapeake - the two base methods ($10 per 100 sq ft for new construction and accessory structures over 256 sq ft, and $15 per $1,000 of value for alterations and repairs), the itemized fees for pools, fences, and demolition, the $50 administrative fee, separate plan review, the 2% Virginia state levy, and the $10 technology fee.
This page does NOT cover: Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, gas, plumbing), which are charged on separate schedules; Public Utilities water/sewer connection fees; Health Department well/septic fees; impact or proffer fees; and zoning permit fees that apply to some project types separately from the building permit.
One known data gap: The schedule does not itemize a separate residential "deck" fee. Per the city's building-permit requirements, a residential deck is submitted under residential new-construction/addition review, so it is most likely billed under the per-100-sq-ft addition table or the alteration value table. Confirm which basis applies to your deck with the Department of Development and Permits before budgeting.
Chesapeake uses two base methods. New construction, additions, and accessory structures over 256 sq ft are a $50 administrative fee plus $10 per 100 sq ft. Alterations and repairs are the $50 administrative fee plus $15 per $1,000 of job value. On top of the base, every permit adds separate plan review ($100 new / $75 alterations), a 2% Virginia state levy, and a $10 technology fee. An in-ground residential pool is a fully itemized $275 all-in; a $30,000 remodel is about $596.50 all-in.
- New construction, additions, garages, and sheds over 256 sq ft are billed by area: $50 administrative fee + $10 per 100 sq ft (a 2,000 sq ft project is $250 base before plan review and surcharges).
- Alterations and repairs are billed by value: $50 administrative fee + $15 per $1,000 of job value (a $30,000 remodel is $500 base before plan review and surcharges).
- Separate plan review is $100 for new one/two-family structures and $75 for additions and alterations.
- The 2% Virginia USBC state levy applies to the administrative fee + permit fee + building plan review + certificate of occupancy fee. It does NOT apply to the $10 zoning plan review fee or the $10 technology fee - confirmed against the schedule's own worked examples.
- An in-ground residential pool is a fully itemized $275 all-in (permit $150 + admin $50 + plan review $50 + zoning $10 + technology $10 + $5 levy), regardless of pool cost.
Chesapeake Building Permit Fee Structure
Chesapeake uses a per-square-foot base for new construction and a per-$1,000 base for alterations, with several common residential projects itemized at flat or value-based rates. Every figure below is exact from the fee schedule (rev 12/31/2025). Plan review, the 2% state levy, and the $10 technology fee are then added on top - see the fee components and worked examples for the all-in totals.
| Project / Fee Type | Base Fee (exact) | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction / addition / accessory >256 sq ft | $50 + $10 / 100 sq ft | Per 100 sq ft | Admin baked into table; 2,000 sq ft = $250 |
| Alteration / repair | $50 + $15 / $1,000 | Per $1,000 value | Admin baked into table; $30,000 = $500 |
| In-ground swimming pool | $275.00 all-in | Itemized flat | Permit $150 + admin/PR/zoning/tech + levy |
| Above-ground swimming pool | $198.50 all-in | Itemized flat | Permit $75 + admin/PR/zoning/tech + levy |
| Fence (non-barrier) | $15 / $1,000 + $70 | Per $1,000 value | Admin $50 + zoning $10 + tech $10; no levy line |
| Demolition (per structure) | $112.00 | Flat | + $50 rodent inspection unless waived by report |
| Plan review - new 1/2-family | $100.00 | Flat | Additions / alterations $75; subject to 2% levy |
| Technology fee | $10.00 | Flat per permit | Every permit; not in the 2% levy base |
Source: City of Chesapeake Department of Development and Permits Fee Schedule and Permit Info, revised December 31, 2025. All base fees are exact from the printed schedule. Verify current rates before filing.
Chesapeake Permit Fee Components
Unlike percentage-surcharge jurisdictions, Chesapeake stacks a set of itemized add-ons on top of the base permit fee. The most important rule is the levy base: the 2% Virginia state levy applies to the administrative fee, permit fee, building plan review, and certificate of occupancy fee - but NOT to the $10 zoning plan review fee or the $10 technology fee. This was cross-checked against the two worked examples printed in the schedule.
| Component | Amount | In 2% Levy Base? |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative fee | $50.00 | Yes |
| Building permit fee | $10 / 100 sq ft or $15 / $1,000 | Yes |
| Building plan review | $100 new / $75 alter | Yes |
| Certificate of occupancy | Varies (where required) | Yes |
| Zoning plan review fee | $10.00 | No |
| Technology fee | $10.00 | No |
| Virginia state (USBC) levy | 2% | Of admin + permit + plan review + CO |
Every figure here is exact from the rev 12/31/2025 schedule. The levy base rule was verified against the schedule's printed examples (a $190 base + 2% = $3.80, and an $1,830 base + 2% = $36.60), confirming the zoning plan review and technology fees are excluded from the levy.
Worked Examples
Example 1: In-Ground Residential Pool (fully itemized)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Permit fee (in-ground) | Flat | $150.00 |
| Administrative fee | Flat | $50.00 |
| Building plan review | Flat | $50.00 |
| Zoning plan review | Flat (no levy) | $10.00 |
| Technology fee | Flat (no levy) | $10.00 |
| 2% state levy | 2% × ($150 + $50 + $50) | $5.00 |
| All-in total | Sum of components | $275.00 (exact) |
Assumptions: Every figure is exact from the rev 12/31/2025 schedule - the pool building permit fee is itemized and does not depend on pool cost. A pool barrier/fence and any pool electrical work are separate permits. Source: City of Chesapeake Fee Schedule p. 33.
Example 2: $30,000 Residential Alteration (per-$1,000 method)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base permit fee (incl. admin) | $50 + $15 × 30 | $500.00 |
| Building plan review | Alteration flat | $75.00 |
| 2% state levy | 2% × ($500 + $75) | $11.50 |
| Technology fee | Flat (no levy) | $10.00 |
| All-in total | $500 + $75 + $11.50 + $10 | $596.50 (exact) |
Assumptions: $30,000 declared job value. The $500 base is read directly from the printed alteration table ($29,001-$30,000 bracket) and already includes the $50 administrative fee. Any electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work needs separate trade permits. Source: City of Chesapeake Fee Schedule p. 12.
Example 3: New 2,000 sq ft Construction (per-100-sq-ft method)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base permit fee (incl. admin) | $50 + $10 × 20 | $250.00 |
| Building plan review (new) | Flat | $100.00 |
| 2% state levy | 2% × ($250 + $100) | $7.00 |
| Technology fee | Flat (no levy) | $10.00 |
| Building-permit subtotal | $250 + $100 + $7 + $10 | $367.00 |
Assumptions: 2,000 sq ft of gross enclosed area; base read from the printed per-100-sq-ft table ($1,901-$2,000 bracket = $250 incl. admin). This is the building-permit subtotal only - a residential certificate of occupancy fee is added where required, and electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits are separate. Source: City of Chesapeake Fee Schedule pp. 9-11.
Practitioner Insight
Chesapeake is one of the easier Hampton Roads cities to price because the schedule splits cleanly into two methods: pay by area for anything you are adding (new construction, additions, large sheds), and pay by value for anything you are changing (alterations and repairs). The per-value method runs $15 per $1,000, which is effectively a 1.5% rate - meaningfully higher than the value-based cities nearby like Hampton at 0.39%. On a $30,000 remodel that difference is the gap between $500 and $117 of base permit fee.
The detail people miss is the levy base. Chesapeake does not levy 2% on the whole bill - the $10 zoning plan review and the $10 technology fee sit outside the levy. It is a small dollar amount, but it tells you the city itemizes precisely, which is why the in-ground pool permit lands on an exact $275 every time regardless of how expensive the pool is. When in doubt, ask the Department of Development and Permits whether your project is billed by area or by value, because that single choice drives the entire number.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Chesapeake
| Project Type | Permit Required? | Base Fee Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction / addition | Yes | $50 + $10/100 sq ft | Plus plan review, levy, technology fee |
| Alteration / remodel | Yes | $50 + $15/$1,000 | Trade permits separate |
| In-ground pool | Yes | $275 all-in | Barrier/fence + electrical separate |
| Above-ground pool | Yes | $198.50 all-in | Itemized flat permit |
| Deck | Yes | Addition or alteration table | No separate deck line - confirm basis with DDP |
| Fence (non-barrier) | Yes (zoning-reviewed) | $15/$1,000 + $70 | No state levy line for non-barrier fences |
| Shed 256 sq ft and under | Zoning permit (not building) | $50 admin + $9/100 sq ft + $20 | Building permit if in an AE flood zone |
| Demolition | Yes | $112 + $50 rodent | Rodent inspection waived with pest report |
| Electrical / mechanical / plumbing | Separate trade permit | Separate schedules (pp. 39-40) | Not included in building permit fee |
Permit trigger thresholds and classifications are set by the City of Chesapeake and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. When uncertain whether a permit is required, contact the Department of Development and Permits before starting work.
Chesapeake Building Permit Office
Development and Permits
306 Cedar Road, 2nd Floor, Chesapeake, VA 23322 · 757-382-6018
eBuild
Apply and pay online at cityofchesapeake.net/ebuild
Rev. December 31, 2025
Development and Permits Fee Schedule
When This Estimate May Not Apply
A deck has no separate fee line
The schedule does not itemize a residential deck. A deck is most likely billed under the per-100-sq-ft addition table or the per-$1,000 alteration table, but the basis is not printed. Confirm with the Department of Development and Permits before budgeting a deck.
Trade permits are charged separately
Electrical, mechanical, gas, and plumbing permits are on separate schedules (pp. 39-40) and were not extracted here. A remodel that touches multiple trades carries several permit fees.
Certificate of occupancy and utilities
New construction may add a certificate of occupancy fee (in the levy base). Public Utilities water/sewer connection fees and Health Department well/septic fees are separate and can be significant.
Commercial or non-residential construction
This page covers residential permits. Commercial and other use groups have different plan review and certificate fees. Do not apply these residential figures to commercial projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
-
City of Chesapeake Fee Schedule and Permit Info (rev 12/31/2025) Revised December 31, 2025 · Department of Development and Permits · Source of all base fees, the per-100-sq-ft and per-$1,000 methods, the itemized pool/fence/demolition fees, and the 2% levy base rule · Verified June 8, 2026 Verified
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City of Chesapeake - Fees landing page Current · Department of Development and Permits · Fee schedule listing and permit information portal
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Code of Virginia §36-137 - USBC State Levy Authority Current · Virginia General Assembly · Authorizing statute for the 2% statewide building permit levy
Compare Chesapeake fees against a neighboring Hampton Roads city, or calculate your project cost.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Chesapeake permit cost, two related numbers round out your total budget picture:
Property tax impact after your project closes
A permitted pool or addition increases your assessed value in Chesapeake. See how each Virginia jurisdiction calculates the ongoing property tax impact at CountyTaxTools.com.
Zoning and utility connection fees for larger projects
Zoning permits, Public Utilities water/sewer connection, and proffer fees in Chesapeake are separate from the building permit and can exceed it for major projects. Research zoning costs at ZoneFee.com.