What will the permit actually cost?
Most contractors quote permit fees as 'we'll figure it out.' Most homeowners learn the fee at submittal. This tool gives you a defensible range up front, sourced to each city's published fee schedule and a standard valuation-based component.
- Authority
- LADBS
- Plan check required
- Yes
Estimate only. Outputs are computed from publicly disclosed calibration constants and your inputs. Confirm any number with a licensed contractor or local building department before relying on it for a contract or filing.
Methodology
We compose two cost components. (1) Base plan-check + permit-issuance fee per project type, sourced from a curated sample of each city's published fee schedule (FY 2025-26 where available, otherwise the most recent posted schedule). (2) Valuation-based fee at approximately 0.6% of declared construction value, scaled by the same city multiplier — this is the standard ICC-pattern fee that most US cities apply on top of the base fee.
Each city carries a multiplier vs the US-median baseline. San Francisco DBI runs 1.85x median; Phoenix PDD runs 0.85x. NYC DOB runs 1.95x. The ranges incorporate typical sub-fees (filing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, plan-check correction cycles) bundled into a single estimate. Final fees vary by exact scope; we report the mid as the central estimate with ±25% as the realistic range.
Authority is named per city for citation-ready output. The authority label tells you which department to contact for fee verification and plan-check submittal. Most authorities publish their fee schedules online; the cited authority on this tool's output is the source you should query for the address-specific fee.
How this differs from Angi or Thumbtack
Angi and Thumbtack do not provide permit-fee estimation. Building-department websites often have fee calculators but require navigating to the right city site, finding the right schedule, and computing the valuation component manually. The structural value of this tool is consolidating 20 city fee schedules into a single comparison-ready interface.
For an address-specific quote, the relevant city's permit-counter staff can run the calculation against your exact project. This tool's range is intended to inform contract negotiations and project budgeting, not to replace the address-specific quote at submittal.
Frequently asked questions
Why is NYC DOB nearly 2x the median?
NYC's permit-fee schedule incorporates substantial sub-fees beyond the base — Department of Buildings filing fees, Department of Environmental Protection sub-fees on certain projects, plus higher per-square-foot valuation thresholds. The 1.95x multiplier reflects this. Confirm with your specific Job Type for the exact fee at submittal.
Is the 0.6% valuation factor universal?
It's the median pattern across US cities that publish ICC-derived fee tables. Some cities use sliding tiers (lower percentage at higher valuations); some use flat per-trade fees instead of a percentage. The 0.6% with city multiplier captures the central estimate; the ±25% range absorbs the cross-city pattern variance.
What does 'plan check required' actually mean?
It means the permit application includes a plan-review step before permit issuance — typically required for any project involving structural work, additions, or significant systems work. Plan-check timelines add 2-12 weeks depending on the city. Re-roofs, simple siding swaps, and most window replacements skip plan check; kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and ADUs generally require it.
Are inspection fees included in the estimate?
Yes, as part of the base fee per project type. Most US cities bundle plan-check + permit-issuance + standard inspections (foundation, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, final) into a single fee. Re-inspection fees triggered by failed initial inspections are separate and are charged at the inspection event, not at submittal.
Does this tool handle commercial projects?
No. The calibration is residential-specific. Commercial permit fees use different schedules with different valuation thresholds and substantially higher base fees. For commercial projects, contact the relevant city's permit office directly.
Want Baily to do this for you?
Skip the calculator. Tell Baily your project and city — she will do the math, cite the local source, and pre-seed your scope.