Manassas City, VA Building Permit Fees (2026)
Actual residential building permit fee structure from the City of Manassas 2024 Building Permit Application fee schedule, effective June 24, 2024. Verified directly against the published city document. (This is the City of Manassas - distinct from neighboring Manassas Park City.)
This page covers: The residential building permit fees in the City of Manassas - $0.45 per square foot for single-family R-5 dwellings (new construction, additions, decks, and accessory structures), with a $100 minimum; $0.40 per square foot for interior renovations, alterations, and non-structural work (minimum $230); and the city's flat project fees ($345 in-ground pool, $200 above-ground pool, and more). For single-family R-5 dwellings the $0.45/SF rate is all-inclusive - it bundles ALL trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) AND all R-5 work types (new construction, additions, decks, and accessories) into one building permit fee. Decks are explicitly named within this R-5 line.
Plan review: Plan review is charged separately from the building permit on the per-SF paths - $50 for minor R-5 alterations/repairs, $150 for major R-5 new construction/additions, and $150 for all other construction types. A single-family R-5 plan revision is $70 (not including revisions to decks or minor work).
2% Virginia state levy: The published schedule does NOT itemize the Virginia USBC 2% state levy (Code of Virginia 36-137). All worked totals on this page are schedule figures only - whether the statutory 2% levy is bundled into the listed fees or added at issuance is not stated on the schedule. Confirm with the department. No 2% line is added to any total on this page. No technology fee is shown on the schedule either.
Standalone trade permits: The schedule lists standalone trade permits (for example electrical R-5 prefab/modular at a flat $100, otherwise $0.80/amp with a $150 minimum; service change $150-$300; EV charger $150; solar $150). These apply ONLY to standalone trade work that is NOT bundled with a building permit - for R-5 building permits the trades are already included in the $0.45/SF rate.
This page does NOT cover: Zoning review (a separate sign-off on the same application), and standalone trade permits when they are not bundled with a building permit. No impact fees are cited on the schedule. All of these sit outside every figure on this page.
The City of Manassas charges $0.45 per square foot for single-family R-5 dwellings - new construction, additions, decks, and accessories - and that rate is all-inclusive, bundling all trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) and all R-5 construction into one building permit fee, with a $100 minimum. Interior renovations are $0.40/SF (minimum $230). An in-ground pool is a flat $345; an above-ground pool is $200. Plan review is separate ($50 minor / $150 major R-5). A new 2,400 SF home is $0.45 × 2,400 = $1,080 plus $150 major plan review = $1,230 in schedule figures. The schedule does not itemize the Virginia 2% state levy - confirm its treatment with the department.
- Single-family R-5 dwellings - new construction, additions, decks, and accessories - are $0.45 per square foot, minimum $100, and that rate includes ALL trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) and all R-5 construction in one building permit fee.
- Decks are explicitly named inside the R-5 $0.45/SF line, so a deck on an R-5 dwelling carries no separate trade or deck fee - just the $0.45/SF rate with the $100 minimum.
- Interior renovations, alterations, and non-structural work are $0.40/SF, minimum $230.
- Flat project fees include an in-ground pool at $345, an above-ground pool at $200, a wall sign at $135, and a freestanding sign at $205.
- Plan review is charged separately: $50 for minor R-5 alterations/repairs, $150 for major R-5 new construction/additions, and $150 for all other construction types; an R-5 plan revision is $70.
- The published schedule does not itemize the Virginia USBC 2% state levy - totals on this page are schedule figures; confirm levy treatment with the department.
Manassas City Building Permit Fee Structure
Manassas prices residential building permits per square foot, with flat fees for common standalone projects and separate plan review charges. For single-family R-5 dwellings the $0.45/SF rate is all-in for trades and construction - an unusually simple structure among verified DMV-area schedules.
| Project / Fee Type | Fee (exact, from schedule) | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family R-5 (new construction, additions, decks, accessories) | $0.45/SF | Per SF | Min $100; includes ALL trades & all R-5 construction |
| New construction except R-5 | $200 min | Minimum | Non-R-5 new construction minimum |
| Interior renovation / alteration / basement / non-structural | $0.40/SF | Per SF | Min $230 |
| Fences / walls / towers / non-building structures | 1.5% | % of contract | 1.5% of contract price; min $150 |
| Above-ground pool | $200 | Flat | |
| In-ground pool | $345 | Flat | |
| Wall sign / freestanding sign | $135 / $205 | Flat | Wall sign $135; freestanding sign $205 |
| Building removal / relocation | 1% or $400 | Greater of | Greater of 1% of contract or $400 |
| Residential code modification (R-5) | $150 | Flat | |
| Demolition | $150 + bond | Flat + bond | Bond based on estimated cost of work |
| Construction trailer | $250 | Flat | |
| Plan review (R-5) | $50 / $150 | Flat, per type | $50 minor R-5 alterations/repairs; $150 major R-5 new construction/additions; $150 all other types; $70 R-5 plan revision |
Source: City of Manassas 2024 Building Permit Application fee schedule (page 2), effective June 24, 2024, under the authority of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. All figures above are exact schedule figures. The schedule does not itemize the Virginia 2% state levy - confirm its treatment with the Department of Community Development at 703-257-8278 before filing.
Manassas City Permit Fee Components
A Manassas building permit total has two schedule components on the R-5 path: the building permit fee (per-SF or flat) and the separate plan review fee. On single-family R-5 dwellings there are no separate trade-permit lines - the $0.45/SF rate is all-in for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and all R-5 construction.
| Component | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | $0.45/SF (min $100) or $0.40/SF (min $230) or flat fee | Exact schedule figure |
| Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) | $0 extra on R-5 bundled paths | Bundled - R-5 rate "includes all trades" |
| Plan review | $50 minor / $150 major (R-5); $150 other types | Charged separately for new construction & alterations |
| Standalone trade permit (not bundled) | Electrical flat $100 or $0.80/amp (min $150); EV/solar $150 | Only when trade work is filed without a building permit |
| Virginia state (USBC) 2% levy | Not itemized on schedule | Bundled or added at issuance - not stated; confirm with department |
The Virginia USBC 2% state levy (Code of Virginia 36-137) applies statewide, but the Manassas schedule does not show it as a line item, and no technology fee appears either. We do not add a 2% line to any total on this page - every worked total below is a schedule figure. Ask the Department of Community Development whether the levy is built into the published rates or added when the permit is issued.
Worked Examples
All examples use exact schedule figures. On R-5 dwellings the $0.45/SF rate already includes all trades and construction, so no separate trade line is added. No 2% state levy line is added - the schedule does not itemize it; confirm its treatment with the department.
Example 1: New Single-Family R-5 Home, 2,400 SF
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit (all trades + construction included) | 2,400 SF × $0.45 | $1,080.00 |
| Plan review (R-5 major) | New construction | $150.00 |
| Schedule total | $1,080 + $150 | $1,230 (schedule figures) |
Assumptions: 2,400 SF single-family R-5 dwelling. The $0.45/SF rate includes all trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) and all R-5 construction per the schedule, so no separate trade line is added; only the major R-5 plan review of $150 is added. A 2,000 SF home works the same way: 2,000 × $0.45 = $900 + $150 = $1,050. The 2% state levy treatment is not itemized - confirm with the department. Source: City of Manassas 2024 Building Permit fee schedule p. 2 (eff. June 24, 2024).
Example 2: Deck on an R-5 Dwelling
| Scenario | Rule Applied | Schedule Total |
|---|---|---|
| 300 SF deck | 300 × $0.45 = $135 (above $100 min) | $135 |
| 200 SF deck | 200 × $0.45 = $90 → $100 minimum | $100 |
Assumptions: Decks are named within the single-family R-5 $0.45/SF line, so a deck on an R-5 dwelling carries no separate trade or plan-review fee. A 300 SF deck computes to $135; a 200 SF deck computes to $90, below the $100 minimum, so the $100 minimum governs. The $0.45/SF rate reaches the $100 minimum at about 222 SF. See the Manassas City deck permit guide for a full walkthrough. Source: City of Manassas 2024 Building Permit fee schedule p. 2 (eff. June 24, 2024).
Example 3: Interior Renovation / Finished Basement, 500 SF
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated permit fee | 500 SF × $0.40 = $200.00 | below minimum |
| $230 minimum applies | Floor | $230.00 |
| Plan review (R-5 minor) | Alteration/repair | $50.00 |
| Schedule total | $230 + $50 | $280 (schedule figures) |
Assumptions: Interior renovations, alterations, and non-structural basement finishes bill at $0.40/SF with a $230 minimum. The 500 SF scenario computes to $200, below the $230 floor, so the minimum applies; the minor R-5 plan review of $50 is added. Source: City of Manassas 2024 Building Permit fee schedule p. 2 (eff. June 24, 2024).
Example 4: Swimming Pools - In-Ground and Above-Ground
| Project | Flat Permit Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| In-ground pool | $345 | Flat schedule figure |
| Above-ground pool | $200 | Flat schedule figure |
Assumptions: The $345 in-ground pool fee and $200 above-ground pool fee are exact flat schedule figures, charged regardless of project value. Pool electrical may need a separate electrical permit if it is not covered by the pool permit - confirm with the department. Source: City of Manassas 2024 Building Permit fee schedule p. 2 (eff. June 24, 2024).
Read before you budget from these examples
- 2% state levy: the schedule does not itemize the Virginia USBC 2% state levy (Code of Virginia 36-137). Totals above are schedule figures - whether the levy is bundled into the rates or added at issuance is not stated. Confirm with the department; we add no 2% line.
- Trades included only on R-5 bundled permits: the $0.45/SF rate includes all trades only on single-family R-5 building permits. Standalone trade work filed without a building permit draws separate trade fees (for example electrical at $0.80/amp, $150 min).
- Plan review is separate: $50 minor / $150 major R-5, and $150 for all other construction types - added on top of the per-SF building permit fee.
- Pools and fences: the in-ground pool ($345) and above-ground pool ($200) are flat; fences/walls bill at 1.5% of contract price (min $150).
- Excluded fees: zoning review (a separate sign-off on the same application) and standalone trade permits when not bundled are not in any total above. No impact fees are cited on the schedule.
Practitioner Insight
Manassas City's $0.45/SF rate is one of the simplest verified DMV-area structures: for single-family R-5 dwellings it bundles ALL trade permits AND all R-5 construction - new homes, additions, decks, and accessories - into one per-square-foot number. Compare the usual structure: Fairfax County charges roughly 3% of construction value plus separate trade permits, and Prince William County charges $0.1536/SF for the building permit with trades billed separately. In Manassas, an R-5 builder prices the trade-inclusive permit in one multiplication: square footage times $0.45, plus the separate plan review.
The flat $345 in-ground pool fee is the other standout - it does not move with project value, so an elaborate gunite pool pays the same $345 as a basic one. Two things to nail down by phone before you budget: how the city handles the statutory Virginia 2% levy (the published schedule does not itemize it), and whether your pool needs a separate electrical permit. The Department of Community Development answers both at 703-257-8278. (Note: this is the City of Manassas, not neighboring Manassas Park City - their schedules differ.)
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Manassas City
| Project Type | Permit Required? | Fee Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New single-family R-5 home | Yes | $0.45/SF (min $100) | 2,400 SF = $1,230 with $150 major plan review (schedule figures) |
| Addition / accessory structure (R-5) | Yes | $0.45/SF (min $100) | Same all-in R-5 rate; trades included |
| Deck (on R-5 dwelling) | Yes | $0.45/SF (min $100) | Named within the R-5 line; no separate trade fee |
| Interior renovation / basement finish | Yes | $0.40/SF (min $230) | 500 SF = $280 with $50 minor plan review (schedule figures) |
| Swimming pool | Yes | $345 in-ground / $200 above-ground | Flat; pool electrical may need a separate permit |
| Fence / wall | Yes | 1.5% of contract (min $150) | Fences, walls, towers, non-building structures |
| Sign (wall / freestanding) | Yes | $135 / $205 | Wall sign $135; freestanding sign $205 |
| Standalone trade work (not bundled) | Yes | Electrical $0.80/amp (min $150); EV/solar $150 | Only when filed without a building permit |
Permit trigger thresholds and classifications are set by the City of Manassas and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. When uncertain whether a permit is required, contact the Department of Community Development before starting work.
City of Manassas Building Permit Office
Community Development - Planning & Development
City of Manassas, VA · 703-257-8278
Development Applications, Forms & Fees
Application info at manassasva.gov (Community Development)
2024 Building Permit Application fee schedule
Effective June 24, 2024 · page 2
When This Estimate May Not Apply
The 2% Virginia state levy is not itemized on the schedule
Code of Virginia 36-137 authorizes a 2% statewide levy on building permit fees, but the Manassas schedule does not show it as a line item. Every total on this page is a schedule figure with no 2% line added. Whether the levy is bundled into the published rates or added at issuance is not stated - confirm with the Department of Community Development before treating any total here as final.
Trades are included only on R-5 bundled permits
The $0.45/SF rate includes all trades only on single-family R-5 building permits. Trade work filed on its own - without an R-5 building permit - draws separate standalone trade fees (for example electrical at $0.80/amp with a $150 minimum, service change $150-$300, or EV charger and solar at $150 each). If your project is not R-5 or your trade work is standalone, the bundled rate does not apply.
Pools and fences are flat or percentage fees, not per-SF
An in-ground pool is a flat $345 and an above-ground pool a flat $200, regardless of size or value, and pool electrical may need a separate electrical permit. Fences, walls, towers, and non-building structures bill at 1.5% of contract price with a $150 minimum - not the residential per-SF rate.
Other fees are excluded
Zoning review is a separate sign-off on the same application and is not a building permit fee. Standalone trade permits, when filed without a building permit, are also separate. No impact fees are cited on the schedule. None of these are included in any figure on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
-
City of Manassas Building Permit Application & Fee Schedule (page 2) Effective June 24, 2024 · Adopted under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code · Source of the $0.45/SF and $0.40/SF rates, the $100/$230 minimums, all flat project fees, and the plan review fees · Verified June 8, 2026 Verified
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City of Manassas - Development Applications, Forms & Fees Current · Department of Community Development landing page · Hosts the building permit application and fee schedule · Phone 703-257-8278
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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, which the Manassas schedule does not itemize
See how Manassas City's all-in $0.45/SF structure stacks up against other Virginia jurisdictions, or estimate fees in covered jurisdictions.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Manassas City permit cost, two related numbers round out your total budget picture:
Property tax impact after your project closes
A permitted deck or addition increases your assessed value in Manassas City. See how each Virginia jurisdiction calculates the ongoing property tax impact at CountyTaxTools.com.
Zoning, site plan, and connection fees for larger projects
Zoning review is a separate sign-off on the same application in Manassas City, and larger projects may carry site plan and connection fees outside the building permit. Research zoning costs at ZoneFee.com.