Construction Permit Fee Calculator

Permit fees vary 0.5–4% of construction value — heavier in coastal and growth markets.

Construction value

Building permit %

Plan check fee

Impact fees

Utility tap fees

Trade permits

Total permits

$74,000

% of construction value

0.05%

Building permit fee

$22,500

How the math works

Total = building permit + plan check + impact + tap + trades.

$1.5M × 1.5% + $8k + $25k + $15k + $3.5k = $22.5k + $51.5k = $74,000 = 4.9% of value.

How to Use

Enter construction value.
Enter building permit %.
Enter plan check fee.
Enter impact fees.
Enter utility tap fees.
Enter trade permits.
Read total permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Permit fee components?

Building permit: 0.5–2% of construction value (state-driven). Plan check: $500–25,000 depending on scope. Impact fees: $2k–60k+/unit (highest in CA, FL, CO, AZ growth markets). School impact fee: $0.50–8.00/sf. Sewer/water tap: $2–25k each. Stormwater: $1–8k. Energy code review: $300–2,500. Mechanical/electrical/plumbing trade permits: $300–3,500 each. Total: $5–80k typical SFR, $25–500k+ commercial.

How does this impact project budget?

Construction budgets layer hard costs (50–65%), soft costs (15–25%), financing (5–10%), contingency (5–10%), and developer fee (3–5%). Schedule risk often equals or exceeds cost risk — every month delay carries carry cost (interest, real estate tax, insurance, opportunity cost) of 0.5–1.5% of project budget. This calculator quantifies one cost component.

Owner-controlled vs GMP vs CM-at-risk?

Lump sum/GMP: contractor takes risk above guaranteed maximum price, owner pays for change orders. CM-at-risk: open book, fee + GMP, more transparent. Construction management: agent for owner, GC subcontracted directly. Design-build: single accountability, faster but less price competition. Match delivery method to project complexity and owner sophistication.

Schedule and cost contingency?

Standard contingency: 10% of hard cost for entitlement, 5–8% for construction. Schedule contingency: 60–90 days buffer past target completion. Force majeure provisions: weather, material lead time, labor strike, permit delay. Track via critical path method (CPM) schedule. Major lender draws contingent on schedule + cost variance to budget remaining within 5%.