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What a permit costs in 2026, by the job you are doing

Permit fees are set by your city or county, not by the contractor, and they scale with the value of the work. Small jobs are $50 to $200. A remodel or addition is $500 to $2,000 or more. Pick the permit for the range, what triggers it, and an estimate for your area.

What a permit costs in 2026, by the job you are doing
Building permit$50to$3,000per permitElectrical permit$50to$900per permitPlumbing permit$50to$600per permitHVAC permit$50to$500per permitDeck permit$50to$800per permitFence permit$0to$400per permit

How permit fees work

Most cities price permits one of two ways: a flat fee for small trade jobs (a water heater, a new circuit, a fence) or a percentage of the project value for construction (usually 1 to 2 percent, with a plan review fee of 50 to 65 percent of the permit fee on top). Inspections are included. The contractor usually pulls the permit and passes the cost through, sometimes with a markup for the trips to the building department.

What happens without one: the city can fine you double the permit fee, make you open up finished walls for inspection, or refuse a certificate of occupancy. At resale, unpermitted work shows up on the disclosure, the appraiser may not count it, and buyers negotiate it down. Insurers can deny a claim on unpermitted electrical or gas work. The permit is cheap next to any of those.

Estimate your building permit cost

Pick what you need and add your ZIP. The price updates as you go. Got a price already? Check it in the last step.

1Which one do you need?
2When do you need it?
3What is your ZIP?
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Is this price fair?

A fair price is $50 to $400.

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Low$225High
Your estimateUS average
$50to$400

Middle of the range: $225

$0$270$540
Normal range Middle

What you are paying for

Shed or small outbuildingUS range for this job.$50 to $400
Standard reviewWhen.Base price
US averageLocal prices not added yet.US price
Middle of rangeHalfway between low and high.$225
How we calculate this

    Prices are for the United States in 2026 from published cost guides, checked September 2026. This is an estimate, not a quote.

    Middle $225$50 to $400
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    Common questions

    How much does a building permit cost?

    $50 to $2,000 for most residential work in 2026. Small trade permits are $50 to $250. Remodels and additions are $500 to $2,000 or more, based on project value.

    Who pulls the permit, me or the contractor?

    Either. In most places a homeowner can pull a permit for their own house. For electrical, plumbing and HVAC, many states require the licensed contractor to pull it.

    What happens if I do the work without a permit?

    Fines, usually double the fee, possible tear out for inspection, problems at resale, and insurance claims that can be denied.