How much does a building permit cost?
A building permit costs $50 to $2,000 in 2026. What changes your price is below.
Most residential building permits land between $400 and $1,500. A small project like a shed or a deck is $50 to $500. A kitchen or bath remodel is $500 to $1,500. An addition is $600 to $3,000, and new construction runs into the thousands, because the fee is a percentage of the project value.
Estimate your building permit cost
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Is this price fair?
A fair price is $50 to $400.
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Middle of the range: $225
What you are paying for
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.
Cost by job
| Shed or small outbuilding | $50 to $400 |
|---|---|
| Roof replacement | $75 to $500 |
| Window or door replacement | $50 to $300 |
| Bathroom remodel | $300 to $1,000 |
| Kitchen remodel | $500 to $1,500 |
| Basement finish | $500 to $1,500 |
| Room addition | $600 to $3,000 |
| Garage (attached or detached) | $500 to $2,000 |
| Demolition | $100 to $450 |
| New house (based on value) | $1,000 to $5,000 |
What to know before you book
| How the fee is set | Most cities use a value table: the project's estimated cost sets the fee, roughly 1 to 2 percent, often using the ICC building valuation data. A $50,000 kitchen is a $500 to $1,000 permit. Some towns use flat fees for common jobs instead. |
|---|---|
| Plan review | Anything structural needs drawings reviewed before the permit issues. The review fee is typically 50 to 65 percent of the permit fee and is billed separately. |
| What needs one | Anything structural, electrical, plumbing or mechanical; most additions, decks over 30 inches, sheds over 120 or 200 square feet depending on the town, new windows if the opening changes. Paint, flooring, cabinets and cosmetic work do not. |
| Who pulls it | Homeowners can usually pull a permit for their own primary residence. Contractors pull it for jobs they do, and a contractor who asks you to pull it for them is often unlicensed. |
| Unpermitted work | Double fees are common, plus the cost of opening walls for inspection. Los Angeles, for one, charges a penalty on top of the doubled fee. At resale it shows on the disclosure and buyers use it to negotiate. |
| Timeline | A same day or over the counter permit for small work. Two to eight weeks for anything needing plan review, longer in busy cities. Expedited review, where offered, is 50 to 100 percent extra. |
Why it costs what it costs
The permit fee pays for plan review and two or three inspection visits by someone whose job is to make sure the house does not burn down or fall over. It scales with project value because a bigger project needs more review and more inspections. The number that matters is not the fee but what skipping it costs later: the doubled fee, the wall you have to open, and the buyer who walks.
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Common questions
How much does a building permit cost?
$50 to $2,000 for most residential work in 2026, with remodels at $500 to $1,500 and additions at $600 to $3,000. Fees scale with project value.
Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen?
Yes if you move plumbing, add circuits, change walls or move gas. Cabinets, counters and paint alone do not.
Can I pull a building permit myself?
Usually, for your own home. Some towns require the licensed contractor to pull trade permits.
How long does a building permit take?
Same day for small work. Two to eight weeks with plan review.
What is the penalty for building without a permit?
Commonly double the permit fee, plus opening finished work for inspection, plus problems at resale and with insurance.
Other jobs and rates
Compare prices
Related jobs people check next, with the usual 2026 price.
| Job | Usual price |
|---|---|
| HVAC permit cost | $100 to $250 |
| Fence permit cost | $20 to $100 |
| Electrical permit cost | $50 to $500 |
| Plumbing permit cost | $50 to $500 |