Roanoke County, VA Building Permit Fees (2026)
Actual residential building permit fee structure from the Roanoke County Building Permit Fees page (County Code Section 7-18). Verified directly against the published county schedule.
This page covers: The residential building permit fee in Roanoke County - a value-based scale on the estimated cost of construction (rounded up to the nearest $1,000) starting at a $40 minimum, the 5% technology fee, and the 2% Virginia state levy. Because alterations and remodels are billed on the applicant's actual contract cost, those project costs are fully computable from the published schedule. We use alteration/contract-cost examples (decks, remodels) for exact figures.
This page treats new construction as illustrative: For new structures the county estimates the cost of construction from an in-house construction cost chart (call the inspections office with the use and total new square footage). That chart is not published online, so a new-home dollar figure cannot be reproduced from the source alone. We show the new-home worked example only as an illustration and label it as such.
This page does NOT cover: Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), which are separate permits on their own fee table; zoning and site-plan-review fees; impact fees (none cited); and any Health Department or utility connection fees. There is no separate plan-review fee on this schedule.
Roanoke County charges a value-based building permit fee on the estimated cost of construction, starting at a $40 minimum: $40 up to $5,000 of value, then $6 per $1,000 above $5,000. A 5% technology fee and a 2% Virginia state levy are added to the permit fee. Because alterations bill off the actual contract cost, a $15,000 deck works out to $107.00 all-in, and a $30,000 remodel is $203.30 all-in.
- The building permit fee is value-based on the estimated cost of construction, rounded up to the nearest $1,000, with a $40 minimum that covers projects up to $5,000 of value.
- Above $5,000 the fee is $40 plus $6 per $1,000; above $20,000 it is $130 plus $6 per $1,000; above $100,000 it is $610 plus $2.50 per $1,000.
- A 5% technology fee and a 2% Virginia state levy are added on top of the calculated permit fee on every permit.
- For alterations the applicant provides the actual contract cost; for new structures the county estimates cost from an in-house construction cost chart that is not published online.
- Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) are separate and use their own fee table; on new construction their value uses an unpublished percentage factor, so only alteration-basis trade permits are computable from the page.
- The official Building Permit Fees page carries no printed effective or revision date - it is a continuously published live page representing the current schedule as of extraction on June 8, 2026.
Roanoke County Building Permit Fee Structure
Roanoke County uses a value-based scale on the estimated cost of construction (rounded up to the nearest $1,000), with a $40 minimum, plus a 5% technology fee and a 2% state levy on top. For alterations the cost is the applicant's actual contract amount; for new structures the county sets the cost from an in-house construction cost chart.
| Construction Value | Base Permit Fee (exact) | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 - $5,000 | $40 | Flat (minimum) | Minimum permit fee |
| Over $5,000 | $40 + $6 / $1,000 | Value-based | $6 per $1,000 above $5,000 |
| Over $20,000 | $130 + $6 / $1,000 | Value-based | $6 per $1,000 above $20,000 |
| Over $100,000 | $610 + $2.50 / $1,000 | Value-based | $2.50 per $1,000 above $100,000 |
| Over $500,000 | $1,610 + $1.50 / $1,000 | Value-based | $1.50 per $1,000 above $500,000 |
| Over $1,000,000 | $2,360 + $0.50 / $1,000 | Value-based | $0.50 per $1,000 above $1,000,000 |
| Technology fee | 5% | Of fees collected | Added to all fees collected |
| Virginia state (USBC) levy | 2% | Of permit fee | Added to every permit |
Source: Roanoke County Building Permit Fees (County Code Section 7-18), Development Services - Building Safety. The value-based building scale, the 5% technology fee, and the 2% state levy are exact from the published page. For new structures the county estimates the cost of construction from an in-house construction cost chart that is not published online - call the inspections office for that figure before budgeting new construction.
Trade Permit Fees (Electrical / Mechanical / Plumbing) - Separate Table
Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits are separate permits on their own scale. On alterations and repairs the value is the actual contract amount; on new construction the county applies an unpublished percentage factor of total building cost, so only alteration-basis trade permits are computable from the page.
| Trade Permit Value | Fee (exact) |
|---|---|
| $0 - $1,000 | $30 |
| $1,000.01 - $2,000 | $40 |
| $2,000.01 - $3,000 | $50 |
| $3,000.01 - $4,000 | $60 |
| $4,000.01 - $5,000 | $75 |
| Over $5,000 | $75 + $4 / $1,000 |
Over $5,000 the trade-permit fee is $75 plus $4 per $1,000 (or fraction). The 5% technology fee and 2% state levy also apply to trade permits. On new construction the trade-permit value uses an unpublished percentage factor of building cost that is not on the page, so a new-construction trade-permit total is not computable from the source alone.
Roanoke County Permit Fee Components
The all-in number is the calculated permit fee plus a 5% technology fee and a 2% Virginia state levy. There is no separate plan-review fee on this schedule.
| Component | Amount | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Value-based scale (min $40) | Base of the technology fee and state levy |
| Technology fee | 5% | All fees collected |
| Virginia state (USBC) levy | 2% | All building and trade permits |
Other published charges include a residential Certificate of Occupancy at $25, a commercial CO at $50, a temporary CO for a single-family home at $10, a reinspection fee of $50 (on the third inspection request of the same item), and a cross-connection device inspection at $40. Work performed without a permit is charged twice the normal permit fee. A cancellation administrative fee equal to 25% of the calculated permit fee is withheld if a permit is cancelled, withdrawn, or revoked before issuance.
Payment timing
Permit fees of $200 or less are due at application. If the calculated fee exceeds $200, $200 is paid at application and the remainder is paid at issuance.
Worked Examples
Example 1: $15,000 Residential Deck (alteration, contract cost)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | $40 + $6 × 10 ($5,001-$15,000) | $100.00 |
| 5% technology fee | 5% × $100.00 | $5.00 |
| 2% state levy | 2% × $100.00 | $2.00 |
| All-in building permit total | $100.00 + $5.00 + $2.00 | $107.00 (exact) |
Assumptions: $15,000 actual contract cost for a deck (alteration path). The fee falls in the over-$5,000 tier ($40 + $6 per $1,000 above $5,000). Any deck electrical work needs a separate trade permit. Source: Roanoke County Building Permit Fees (Code Section 7-18).
Example 2: $30,000 Alteration / Remodel (contract cost)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | $130 + $6 × 10 ($20,001-$30,000) | $190.00 |
| 5% technology fee | 5% × $190.00 | $9.50 |
| 2% state levy | 2% × $190.00 | $3.80 |
| All-in building permit total | $190.00 + $9.50 + $3.80 | $203.30 (exact) |
Assumptions: $30,000 actual contract cost for an interior alteration/remodel. The fee falls in the over-$20,000 tier ($130 + $6 per $1,000 above $20,000). This is the building-permit side only - electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work pulls separate trade permits. Source: Roanoke County Building Permit Fees (Code Section 7-18).
Example 3: $300,000 New Single-Family Home (illustrative)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | $610 + $2.50 × 200 ($100,001-$300,000) | $1,110.00 |
| 5% technology fee | 5% × $1,110.00 | $55.50 |
| 2% state levy | 2% × $1,110.00 | $22.20 |
| All-in building permit total | $1,110.00 + $55.50 + $22.20 | $1,187.70 (illustrative) |
Treat this figure as illustrative. The county does not bill new construction off the contract price - it estimates the cost of construction from an in-house construction cost chart that is not published online. We assume a $300,000 construction-cost figure here only to show how the value-based scale applies. Call the inspections office at 540-772-2006 with your use and total new square footage to get the actual cost figure before budgeting. Source: Roanoke County Building Permit Fees (Code Section 7-18).
Quick Fee Reference by Construction Value
| Construction Value | Base Permit Fee | All-In (with 5% tech + 2% levy) |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $40.00 | $42.80 |
| $10,000 | $70.00 | $74.90 |
| $15,000 | $100.00 | $107.00 |
| $20,000 | $130.00 | $139.10 |
| $25,000 | $160.00 | $171.20 |
| $50,000 | $310.00 | $331.70 |
| $100,000 | $610.00 | $652.70 |
Base permit fees are exact from the published value-based scale; the all-in column adds the 5% technology fee and 2% state levy. These figures assume the construction value is the actual contract cost (alteration path). New-construction cost is set by the county's in-house chart, not the contract price.
Practitioner Insight
Roanoke County is straightforward to price on remodel-type work: take your actual contract cost, run it up the value-based scale, then add 5% and 2%. A $15,000 deck is $107 all-in and a $30,000 remodel is $203.30 all-in. The $40 minimum keeps small jobs cheap, and there is no separate plan-review charge stacked on the way some jurisdictions do.
The catch is new construction. For a new home the county does not use your contract price - it estimates the cost of construction from an in-house construction cost chart that is not published online, then applies the same scale. If you are pricing a new house, call the inspections office at 540-772-2006 with your use and total new square footage and ask for the cost figure; do not assume your contract amount. Watch the payment timing too: anything over $200 is split, with $200 due at application and the balance at issuance.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Roanoke County
| Project Type | Permit Required? | Base Fee Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | Yes | Value-based (min $40) | $15,000 deck = $107.00 all-in |
| Alteration / remodel | Yes | Value-based (min $40) | $30,000 remodel = $203.30 all-in |
| New construction / addition | Yes | Value-based (county cost chart) | Cost set by in-house chart - call inspections office |
| Electrical / plumbing / mechanical | Separate trade permit | $30 and up (own table) | Alteration value computable; new-construction value uses unpublished factor |
| Certificate of Occupancy (residential) | Yes | $25 | Commercial CO $50; temporary single-family CO $10 |
Permit trigger thresholds and classifications are set by Roanoke County and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Work performed before obtaining the required permit is charged twice the normal permit fee (Code Section 7-18). When uncertain whether a permit is required, contact Development Services - Building Safety at 540-772-2006 before starting work.
Roanoke County Building Permit Office
Development Services - Building Safety
Roanoke County, VA · 540-772-2006
Roanoke County Permits
Permit info and fees at roanokecountyva.gov
County Code Section 7-18
Continuously published; no printed effective date
When This Estimate May Not Apply
New construction uses a county cost chart, not your contract price
For alterations the value is your actual contract cost. For a new home or addition the county estimates the cost of construction from an in-house construction cost chart that is not published online. The $300,000 new-home example on this page is illustrative only - call the inspections office for the actual cost figure.
The schedule carries no printed effective date
The official Roanoke County Building Permit Fees page is a continuously published live page with no printed effective or revision date. The figures here represent the current published schedule as of extraction on June 8, 2026, but a live page can change at any time - confirm before you file.
Trade permits are separate, and new-construction trade value is unpublished
Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing are separate permits on their own scale (starting at $30), each also subject to the 5% technology fee and 2% levy. On new construction the trade-permit value uses an unpublished percentage factor of building cost, so only alteration-basis trade permits can be computed from the page.
Work before permit doubles the fee; other fees are separate
Work started before the required permit is issued is charged twice the normal permit fee. Zoning and site-plan-review fees, Certificate of Occupancy charges, reinspection fees ($50 on the third request), and cross-connection device inspection ($40) are separate from the building permit fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
-
Roanoke County Building Permit Fees (Development Services - Building Safety) Continuously published; no printed effective date · Source of the value-based building scale, the $40 minimum, the trade-permit table, the 5% technology fee, the 2% state levy, the CO and reinspection fees, and the payment-timing rule · Verified June 8, 2026 Verified
-
Code of Virginia §36-137 - USBC State Levy Authority Current · Virginia General Assembly · Authorizing statute for the 2% statewide building permit levy
Compare Roanoke County fees against the neighboring City of Roanoke, or calculate your project cost.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Roanoke County 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 Roanoke County. See how each Virginia jurisdiction calculates the ongoing property tax impact at CountyTaxTools.com.
Zoning and connection fees for larger projects
Zoning and site-plan-review fees in Roanoke County are separate from the building permit. Research zoning costs at ZoneFee.com.