Fairfax vs Richmond Building Permit Fees (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of Virginia's largest county and its capital city, using official fee schedule data verified from both fairfaxcounty.gov Appendix Q (FY2025) and the rva.gov fee schedule (Revision 06-14-2022). Fairfax uses a percentage-of-construction-cost formula plus a 50% plan review fee. Richmond uses a small base fee plus a flat per-$1,000 increment with no separate plan review. Both cities collect the same Virginia 2% state levy. For nearly every residential project, Richmond is dramatically cheaper, and the gap widens as construction value goes up.

Calculate Your Project Fairfax Fees Richmond Fees

Evidence and Source Confidence

Both jurisdictions have official, current PermitPrice fee verifications. The math below uses verified inputs from each city's published fee schedule. Where one fee schedule is older than the other, that source-age difference is disclosed below.

Fairfax County

Verified

Source: Appendix Q - Land Development Services Fee Schedule (FY2025, effective July 1, 2024). Downloaded directly from fairfaxcounty.gov/landdevelopment and cross-referenced against Code of the County of Fairfax Chapters 61, 64, 65, 66.

Currency: Fairfax's Appendix Q is the current FY2025 fee schedule. Land Development Services phone: (703) 222-0801. PLUS portal: plus.fairfaxcounty.gov.

Richmond City

Verified

Source: City of Richmond Fee Schedule, Revision 06-14-2022. Extracted via pdfplumber from rva.gov and verified April 24, 2026.

Source-age caveat: The Richmond fee schedule PDF is footer-labeled EFFECTIVE 11/18/2013, Revision 06-14-2022. No newer revision has been posted on rva.gov as of April 24, 2026. Verify current rates with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 or PDRPermitsAndInspections@rva.gov before relying on this comparison for filing.

Fee Structure Side-by-Side

The structural difference: Fairfax's permit fee scales as a flat 3% of declared construction value, then adds a 50% plan review fee on top of the building permit fee, then applies the 2% state levy on the combined subtotal. Richmond uses a $63 base fee plus a small $6.07 per $1,000 of value above a $2,000 threshold, with no separate plan review line item, then applies the 2% state levy on the building permit fee only. Both cities collect the same Virginia statewide 2% surcharge, but the levy base is different because the underlying fee math is different.

Project Type	Fairfax County	Richmond City
Residential alterations / repairs	3% of value $72 minimum	$63 + $6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000
Residential addition (existing footprint)	3% of value $72 minimum	$63 + $6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000
Uncovered deck	3% of value $72 minimum	$63 + $6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000
In-ground swimming pool	$270 flat	$63 + $6.07 per $1,000 Pool not separately listed; falls under residential alteration formula
Residential demolition	3% of value $72 minimum	$184 flat
New residential construction (wood frame)	$0.143 per sq ft $72 minimum	$63 + $6.07 per $1,000 of value
Solar panels	$0 (fee waived)	$63 + $6.07 per $1,000 Falls under residential alteration formula
Plan review	50% of building permit fee	Not itemized Bundled into base permit fee
Virginia 2% state levy	Applied to permit + plan review subtotal	Applied to building permit fee only
Re-inspection fee	$135.00	$32.00 (residential)
Certificate of occupancy	Bundled with building permit	$263.00
Permit validity	180 days	Per VUSBC default

Sources: Fairfax County Appendix Q FY2025 (effective July 1, 2024) and City of Richmond Fee Schedule Revision 06-14-2022. Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) are itemized in separate fee categories not modeled in this comparison. Richmond's fee schedule does not enumerate every project type Fairfax does; for projects not separately listed (in-ground pool, solar, sheds, etc.), Richmond's residential alteration formula applies.

Three Worked Examples - Same Project, Both Cities

Each example uses identical project assumptions and walks through the building permit math from each city's official schedule. All arithmetic is reproducible from the verified inputs and matches the worked examples published on each city's individual jurisdiction page.

Example 1: $30,000 residential alteration (kitchen remodel)

A homeowner gut-renovates a 200 sq ft kitchen with new circuits, plumbing relocation, and new cabinetry for a declared construction value of $30,000.

Fairfax County

Building permit ($30,000 x 3%): $900.00
Plan review (50% of permit): $450.00
2% Virginia state levy on $1,350: $27.00

Total: $1,377.00

Richmond City

Base fee: $63.00
$6.07 x 28 ($1,000 increments above $2,000): $169.96
2% Virginia state levy on $232.96: $4.66

Total: $237.62

Richmond is cheaper by $1,139.38. Richmond's base-plus-increment formula keeps permit cost low even as project value rises. Fairfax's 3%-of-value formula plus 50% plan review compounds the cost: every additional $10,000 in declared value adds $300 to the Fairfax permit fee and $150 to the plan review fee, while it adds only $60.70 to the Richmond permit fee. This gap grows linearly with construction value.

Example 2: $15,000 uncovered deck (400 sq ft composite)

A homeowner builds a 400 sq ft composite deck attached to the back of the house, 36 inches above grade, with a declared construction value of $15,000.

Fairfax County

Building permit ($15,000 x 3%): $450.00
Plan review (50% of permit): $225.00
2% Virginia state levy on $675: $13.50

Total: $688.50

Richmond City

Base fee: $63.00
$6.07 x 13 ($1,000 increments above $2,000): $78.91
2% Virginia state levy on $141.91: $2.84

Total: $144.75

Richmond is cheaper by $543.75. The deck math illustrates the same structural pattern as Example 1. Richmond uses one residential formula for decks, alterations, and additions; Fairfax uses the same 3%-of-value approach with a separate plan review line. For a smaller $5,000 deck, Fairfax would charge $229.50 ($150 + $75 + $4.50) and Richmond would charge $82.83 ($63 + $18.21 + $1.62) - Richmond stays ahead. See the dedicated Virginia deck permit guide for jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction deck math across the state.

Example 3: $80,000 family room addition (500 sq ft)

A homeowner adds a 500 sq ft family room addition to an existing single-family dwelling for a declared construction value of $80,000.

Fairfax County

Building permit ($80,000 x 3%): $2,400.00
Plan review (50% of permit): $1,200.00
2% Virginia state levy on $3,600: $72.00

Total: $3,672.00

Richmond City

Base fee: $63.00
$6.07 x 78 ($1,000 increments above $2,000): $473.46
2% Virginia state levy on $536.46: $10.73

Total: $547.19

Richmond is cheaper by $3,124.81. The gap between the two cities widens as construction value increases because Fairfax's effective rate is 4.59% (3% permit + 1.5% plan review + 2% of subtotal levy) while Richmond's effective rate above $2,000 is only 0.619%. At $80,000, Fairfax charges roughly seven times what Richmond charges. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately in both cities and are not included in either total above. See the Fairfax County fee page and Richmond City fee page for full per-trade breakdowns.

When Each City Is Cheaper

For nearly every residential project, Richmond charges a small fraction of what Fairfax charges. The single exception is large square-foot-based new construction, where Fairfax's per-sq-ft formula stays low while Richmond's value-based formula scales with construction cost. This table summarizes the cheaper city for each project category at typical residential project sizes.

Project Type	Cheaper City	Why
Residential alterations / kitchen / bath remodel	Richmond	$63 base + $6.07/$1,000 vs Fairfax 3% + 50% plan review + 2% levy. Gap widens with value.
Uncovered deck (any residential size)	Richmond	Same value-based formula as alterations; Fairfax's 3% + plan review math compounds.
Residential addition (existing footprint)	Richmond	For an $80,000 addition, Richmond charges $547.19 vs Fairfax $3,672.00 - 6.7x difference.
In-ground swimming pool ($30,000+)	Richmond	Pool falls under Richmond's residential alteration formula ($237.62 at $30k) vs Fairfax flat $270 + $135 plan review = $413.10.
Residential demolition	Richmond	Richmond flat $184 + 2% levy = $187.68 vs Fairfax 3% of value + plan review (typically $300 to $500+).
Permit minimum (very small project under $2,000)	Richmond	Richmond $63 base + $1.26 levy = $64.26 vs Fairfax $72 minimum + $36 plan review + $2.16 levy = $110.16.
New residential construction (square-foot priced)	Fairfax	Fairfax $0.143/sq ft for wood frame stays low at high construction values. Richmond's value-based formula scales with cost-per-sq-ft. A 2,000 sq ft, $400,000 home is roughly $437 in Fairfax vs $2,528 in Richmond.
Solar panels	Fairfax	Fairfax waives the building permit fee for solar ($0). Richmond's schedule does not list solar separately - falls under residential alteration formula ($63+).

Caveat: this comparison covers building permit fees only. Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing), zoning approvals, stormwater fees, certificate of occupancy, and other site-specific permits are separate from the building permit and are not modeled here. Both cities also charge a 2% Virginia state levy. Richmond's fee schedule is older than Fairfax's; rates may have been adjusted internally without a published update - verify before relying on this comparison for filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fairfax or Richmond cheaper for building permits overall?

Richmond is cheaper for nearly every residential project. The structural reason: Fairfax uses 3% of construction value plus a separate 50% plan review fee plus the 2% state levy on the combined subtotal, which compounds upward. Richmond uses a small $63 base plus $6.07 per $1,000 of value above $2,000 with no separate plan review and the levy on the building permit fee only. For a $30,000 alteration, Richmond charges $237.62 versus Fairfax $1,377.00. The single exception is large square-foot-priced new construction, where Fairfax's $0.143-per-sq-ft formula stays low at high construction values. For a 2,000 sq ft single-family dwelling at $200/sq ft construction cost, Fairfax charges roughly $437 in building permit fees versus Richmond's $2,528.

Why is Fairfax so much more expensive than Richmond for a $30,000 alteration?

Three compounding factors. First, Fairfax's permit fee is 3% of declared construction value, so a $30,000 alteration triggers a $900 building permit fee on its own. Richmond's fee for the same project is $232.96 ($63 base + 28 x $6.07 increments). Second, Fairfax adds a 50% plan review fee on top, which is $450 more, while Richmond does not itemize plan review separately. Third, Fairfax applies the 2% Virginia state levy on the combined permit + plan review subtotal ($1,350), which is $27, versus Richmond's $4.66 levy on the building permit fee alone. Total: Fairfax $1,377.00, Richmond $237.62, difference $1,139.38. Every additional $10,000 in declared construction value widens the gap by roughly $390.

Is the Richmond fee schedule still current?

The Richmond fee schedule PDF is footer-labeled EFFECTIVE 11/18/2013, Revision 06-14-2022. PermitPrice has not located a more recent revision posted on rva.gov as of April 24, 2026. Fairfax's Appendix Q is the FY2025 schedule (effective July 1, 2024) and is the most recent document. The age difference matters because Richmond may have adjusted internal rates without updating the published PDF. Verify current rates with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 or PDRPermitsAndInspections@rva.gov before relying on the Richmond side of this comparison for filing.

When does Fairfax become cheaper than Richmond?

Only for large new residential construction priced by square foot. Fairfax uses a per-sq-ft fee schedule for new construction ($0.143 per sq ft for VA/VB wood frame, $0.211 for IIA/IIIA/IV, $0.270 for IA/IB), independent of declared construction value. Richmond uses the same value-based formula for new construction as for alterations ($63 + $6.07/$1,000), so a high-cost-per-sq-ft house generates a high Richmond fee. For a 2,000 sq ft single-family wood-frame home with $400,000 construction value: Fairfax charges 2,000 x $0.143 = $286 building permit + $143 plan review + ($429 x 2%) = $437.58. Richmond charges $63 + 398 x $6.07 = $2,478.86 + ($2,478.86 x 2%) = $2,528.44. The crossover happens at very low new-construction sizes where Fairfax's $72 minimum permit fee + plan review + levy = $110.16 exceeds Richmond's small fee for low-value projects. For most residential alteration and addition work below $400,000 construction value, Richmond stays cheaper.

Both cities collect a 2% Virginia state levy. What is it and where does it go?

The 2% state levy is a Virginia statewide surcharge authorized under Code of Virginia Section 36-139 (USBC Section 107.2). Both Fairfax County and Richmond City collect it on the building permit fee component and remit it to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The levy funds the Virginia State Building Code Technical Review Board and statewide construction code enforcement. The two cities apply the levy slightly differently: Fairfax applies the 2% to the combined permit + plan review subtotal (because Fairfax itemizes plan review as a separate line); Richmond applies the 2% to the building permit fee only (because Richmond does not itemize plan review). For a $30,000 alteration, the levy is $27.00 in Fairfax and $4.66 in Richmond. Both cities are mandatory collectors; you cannot opt out.

Why does Fairfax charge a separate plan review fee but Richmond doesn't?

Fairfax County's Appendix Q itemizes plan review as a separate line item: 50% of the building permit fee, charged for every permit application that requires plan review. Richmond's fee schedule does not enumerate a plan review line item; the base permit fee is the only number listed. This does not mean Richmond skips plan review - the city's Bureau of Permits and Inspections still reviews plans before issuing permits. The plan review work is bundled into the base permit fee. The result: Richmond's all-in fee for a $30,000 alteration is $237.62, while Fairfax's all-in fee is $1,377.00 - the $1,139 difference is largely driven by Fairfax's separate plan review charge ($450 in this example) plus the 2% levy compounding on the combined subtotal.

Are these comparison numbers the total cost of building, or just the city permit fee?

Just the city building permit fee. The $1,377.00 Fairfax alteration permit and $237.62 Richmond alteration permit cover the building permit application, plan review, and inspections. They do not cover trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing - these are separate applications under their own schedules in both cities), contractor labor, materials, zoning approvals, stormwater fees (relevant for additions in both jurisdictions), certificate of occupancy in Richmond ($263 separately), or any other site-specific permits. PermitPrice tracks the city building permit fee component only. Your contractor's quote is the source of truth for total project cost.

How current is each city's fee schedule?

Fairfax County's Appendix Q is the FY2025 fee schedule (effective July 1, 2024) and is the current published rate sheet on fairfaxcounty.gov as of March 15, 2026. Richmond City's fee schedule PDF is footer-labeled EFFECTIVE 11/18/2013, Revision 06-14-2022. PermitPrice has not located a more recent revision posted on rva.gov as of April 24, 2026. The Richmond schedule is roughly two years older than the Fairfax schedule. Verify Fairfax current rates with Land Development Services at (703) 222-0801. Verify Richmond current rates with the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at (804) 646-4169 or PDRPermitsAndInspections@rva.gov.

Calculate Your Specific Project

The PermitPrice fee calculator covers Fairfax County, Richmond City, and five other Virginia jurisdictions. Pick the jurisdiction and project type, enter your construction value, and the calculator returns the all-in permit cost broken down by component. The calculator math matches the worked examples on this page.

Open the Permit Fee Calculator All Fairfax Permit Fees All Richmond Permit Fees Virginia Deck Permit Guide

Sources

Official .gov Sources - Verified April 2026

Appendix Q - Land Development Services Fee Schedule - Fairfax County FY2025, effective July 1, 2024 - Fairfax County Land Development Services - Source for the Fairfax side of every comparison: 3% of construction value, $72 minimum, 50% plan review, $0.143/sq ft new construction (wood frame), flat $270 in-ground pool, solar fee waived - Verified March 15, 2026 Verified
City of Richmond Fee Schedule - Bureau of Permits and Inspections Effective 11/18/2013, Revision 06-14-2022 - City of Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review - Source for the Richmond side of every comparison: $63 base + $6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000 (residential 1-2 family), $184 flat residential demolition, no separate plan review line, 2% state levy on building permit fee - Verified April 24, 2026 Verified
Code of Virginia Section 36-139 - USBC State Levy Authority Current - Virginia General Assembly - Authorizing statute for the statewide 2% building permit surcharge applied in both Fairfax County and Richmond City

Next Step

Get the full fee schedule for either city, run your specific project through the calculator, or check more Virginia comparisons.

Fairfax Fee Page → Richmond Fee Page Fee Calculator All Comparisons

Verify current fees with both jurisdictions before relying on this comparison for filing. Fairfax County Land Development Services: (703) 222-0801. Richmond Bureau of Permits and Inspections: (804) 646-4169 / PDRPermitsAndInspections@rva.gov. The Richmond fee schedule on rva.gov is footer-labeled Revision 06-14-2022 and is older than Fairfax's FY2025 Appendix Q. PermitPrice has not located a more recent Richmond revision; rates may have been adjusted internally without a published update. Always confirm current rates and project classification before submitting an application in either city.

Disclaimer: All fee information on PermitPrice is for informational purposes only and is not an official permit quotation. Actual permit fees are determined by Fairfax County Land Development Services or Richmond City Bureau of Permits and Inspections at the time of application. Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing), zoning approvals, stormwater fees, certificate of occupancy in Richmond ($263 separately), and other site-specific permits are separate from the building permit and are not modeled in this comparison. Richmond's fee schedule may have undergone changes not reflected in the most recent published PDF.

Written by: Munib Ur Rehman

Data verified against official fee schedule documents.