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Richmond vs Virginia Beach Building Permit Fees (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of Virginia's capital city and its largest independent city, using official fee schedule data verified from both rva.gov (Revision 06-14-2022) and planning.virginiabeach.gov (Residential Permit Fees PDF, rev. Jul-2025). Richmond uses one value-based formula for every residential project: $63 base plus $6.07 per $1,000 of value above $2,000, with no separate plan review line. Virginia Beach uses a hybrid system: square-foot pricing for decks ($50 + $4 per 100 sq ft) and heated additions ($50 + $7 per 100 sq ft), value-based pricing for alterations ($50 + $5 per $1,000 of value), plus a $100 plan review fee, $10 technology fee, and the same Virginia 2% state levy. The structural difference flips the answer depending on the project type.

Calculate Your Project Richmond Fees Virginia Beach 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. The Richmond schedule is older than the Virginia Beach schedule; that source-age difference is disclosed below and on every Richmond worked example.

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.

Virginia Beach City

Verified

Source: Residential Building Permit Fees, City of Virginia Beach Permits and Inspections Division (rev. Jul-2025). Retrieved from the Virginia Beach S3 document bucket via authenticated fetch and extracted via pdfplumber, verified April 24, 2026.

Currency: The Virginia Beach Residential Permit Fees PDF is the current published rate sheet on planning.virginiabeach.gov as of April 24, 2026. Permits and Inspections Division phone: (757) 385-4211. Online portal: Accela Citizen Access (CVB).

Fee Structure Side-by-Side

The structural difference: Richmond applies one value-based formula to every residential project category - decks, alterations, additions, new construction, and pools all use the same $63 + $6.07/$1,000 calculation. Virginia Beach uses three different formulas depending on the project category - decks and non-heated additions use square-foot pricing at $4 per 100 sq ft, heated additions and new construction use square-foot pricing at $7 per 100 sq ft, and residential alterations and pools use value-based pricing at $5 per $1,000. Virginia Beach also itemizes plan review and a $10 technology fee separately; Richmond does not. Both cities collect the same Virginia statewide 2% state levy on the building permit fee.

Project Type Richmond City Virginia Beach City
Residential alterations / repairs $63 + $6.07 per $1,000 over $2,000 $50 + $5 per $1,000 of value
Heated addition (sq-ft based in VB) $63 + $6.07 per $1,000 of declared value $50 + $7 per 100 sq ft of heated area
Non-heated addition (sq-ft based in VB) $63 + $6.07 per $1,000 of declared value $50 + $4 per 100 sq ft
Uncovered deck (sq-ft based in VB) $63 + $6.07 per $1,000 of declared value $50 + $4 per 100 sq ft of deck area
In-ground swimming pool $63 + $6.07 per $1,000
Pool falls under residential alteration formula		 $50 + $5 per $1,000 of value
New residential construction $63 + $6.07 per $1,000 of declared value $50 + $7 per 100 sq ft
Heated sq-ft formula
Residential demolition $184 flat Verify with office
Not itemized on Residential Permit Fees PDF
Plan review Not itemized
Bundled into base permit fee		 $100 (full) / $25 (counter, deck)
Technology fee Not assessed $10 flat per permit
Virginia 2% state levy Applied to building permit fee only Applied to building permit fee only
Re-inspection fee $32.00 (residential) $75.00
Certificate of occupancy $263.00 (separate) $75.00 (separate)
Permit validity Per VUSBC default Per VUSBC default

Sources: City of Richmond Fee Schedule Revision 06-14-2022 and City of Virginia Beach Residential Permit Fees rev. Jul-2025. Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) are itemized on separate fee sheets and are not modeled in this comparison. Virginia Beach roofing-only, siding-only, fence, and asbestos applications are also handled on separate fee sheets and excluded here. Demolition pricing in Virginia Beach is not enumerated on the Residential Permit Fees PDF; verify with the Permits and Inspections Division at (757) 385-4211 before filing.

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. Where the two cities use different pricing dimensions (Richmond uses declared construction value; Virginia Beach uses square footage for decks, heated additions, and non-heated additions), both inputs are stated explicitly so the math on each side is reproducible. All arithmetic 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. This category uses Richmond's value-based residential alteration formula and Virginia Beach's value-based residential alteration formula - the only category where both cities price by the same dimension.

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

Virginia Beach City

  • Building permit ($50 + $5 x 30): $200.00
  • Plan review (full): $100.00
  • Technology fee: $10.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $200: $4.00

Total: $314.00

Richmond is cheaper by $76.38. Richmond's value-based formula edges Virginia Beach for small alterations because Richmond does not bill plan review or a technology fee separately. Virginia Beach charges a flat $100 plan review and a flat $10 technology fee on every permit, which sit on top of a building permit fee that is structurally similar to Richmond's. The gap closes as construction value rises: at roughly $100,000 declared value, the two cities cross over and Virginia Beach becomes cheaper for value-based alterations because its $5/$1,000 rate is slightly lower than Richmond's $6.07/$1,000.

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

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. Richmond uses its value-based residential formula on the $15,000 input. Virginia Beach uses its sq-ft deck formula on the 400 sq ft input. Both are the official methods used by each city for this category.

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

Virginia Beach City

  • Building permit ($50 + $4 x 4): $66.00
  • Plan review (counter, deck): $25.00
  • Technology fee: $10.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $66: $1.32

Total: $102.32

Virginia Beach is cheaper by $42.43. The deck math illustrates the structural gap: Virginia Beach's sq-ft deck formula keeps the building permit fee very small ($66 for a typical 400 sq ft deck) regardless of declared construction value. Richmond's value-based formula scales with the dollar amount entered, so a more expensive deck triggers a higher Richmond fee while the Virginia Beach fee stays anchored to area. A high-end $25,000 composite deck of the same 400 sq ft would cost roughly $204.04 in Richmond ($63 + 23 x $6.07 + 2% levy) versus the same $102.32 in Virginia Beach. See the dedicated Virginia deck permit guide for jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction deck math across the state.

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

A homeowner adds a 500 sq ft heated family room addition to an existing single-family dwelling for a declared construction value of $80,000. Richmond uses its value-based residential formula on the $80,000 input. Virginia Beach uses its heated-addition sq-ft formula on the 500 sq ft input.

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

Virginia Beach City

  • Building permit ($50 + $7 x 5): $85.00
  • Plan review (full): $100.00
  • Technology fee: $10.00
  • 2% Virginia state levy on $85: $1.70

Total: $196.70

Virginia Beach is cheaper by $350.49. The gap between the two cities widens as project value increases because Virginia Beach prices heated additions by sq ft while Richmond prices them by declared value. At $80,000, Richmond charges roughly 2.8x what Virginia Beach charges. The same dynamic applies to new residential construction: a 2,000 sq ft heated home with a $400,000 declared value would cost roughly $2,528 in Richmond ($63 + 398 x $6.07 + 2% levy) versus only about $304 in Virginia Beach ($50 + $7 x 20 + $100 + $10 + 2% levy). Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately in both cities and are not included in either total above.

When Each City Is Cheaper

The decision rule depends on whether the project is priced by declared value or by square footage. Richmond uses one value-based formula for everything; Virginia Beach uses sq-ft formulas for decks, heated additions, non-heated additions, and new construction. For value-based alterations, the two cities cross over at roughly $100,000 declared value: Richmond is cheaper below, Virginia Beach is cheaper above. For any sq-ft-priced category, Virginia Beach is dramatically cheaper across normal residential project sizes.

Project Type Cheaper City Why
Small residential alteration (under ~$100,000 value) Richmond Richmond's $63 base + $6.07/$1,000 beats VB's $50 + $5/$1,000 + $100 plan review + $10 tech fee until value passes ~$100k.
Large residential alteration (above ~$100,000 value) Virginia Beach VB's $5/$1,000 marginal rate is slightly lower than Richmond's $6.07/$1,000; the per-permit add-ons stay flat while Richmond's fee scales linearly.
Uncovered deck (any residential size) Virginia Beach VB prices decks by sq ft ($50 + $4/100 sq ft) regardless of declared value. A 400 sq ft deck is $66 building permit in VB vs Richmond's value-based formula climbing with cost.
Heated addition (any residential size) Virginia Beach VB's $7/100 sq ft formula keeps the building permit very low. A typical 500 sq ft heated addition is $85 building permit in VB; the same project at $80k declared value is $536.46 building permit in Richmond.
Non-heated addition (sunroom, screened porch) Virginia Beach VB prices non-heated additions at $4/100 sq ft, the same as decks. Richmond uses its value-based residential formula.
New residential construction (single-family dwelling) Virginia Beach VB prices new construction at $7/100 sq ft of heated area. A 2,000 sq ft, $400,000 home is roughly $304 in VB vs $2,528 in Richmond.
In-ground swimming pool ($30,000+) Richmond Pool falls under both cities' alteration formulas. Richmond charges $237.62 at $30k vs VB $314.00 ($200 + $100 + $10 + $4). Same dynamic as Example 1.
Residential demolition Richmond Richmond charges a flat $184 + 2% levy = $187.68. VB does not itemize demolition on the Residential Permit Fees PDF; verify pricing with the office before relying on a comparison.

Caveat: this comparison covers building permit fees only. Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing), zoning approvals, stormwater fees, certificate of occupancy ($263 in Richmond, $75 in Virginia Beach), 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 on the building permit fee. Richmond's fee schedule is older than Virginia Beach's; rates may have been adjusted internally without a published update - verify before relying on this comparison for filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neither is universally cheaper - the answer depends on the project type. Richmond uses one value-based formula for every residential project: $63 base plus $6.07 per $1,000 of value above $2,000, with no separate plan review and a 2% state levy on the building permit fee. Virginia Beach uses three different formulas - sq-ft pricing for decks ($50 + $4 per 100 sq ft) and heated additions ($50 + $7 per 100 sq ft), and value-based pricing for alterations ($50 + $5 per $1,000) - plus a $100 plan review fee, $10 technology fee, and the same 2% state levy. Richmond is cheaper for small value-based residential alterations under approximately $100,000 declared value because Richmond does not charge plan review or a technology fee separately. Virginia Beach is dramatically cheaper for any project priced by square foot - decks, heated and non-heated additions, and new construction - because the sq-ft formula keeps the building permit fee very low regardless of declared value.
Two cities, two different pricing dimensions. Virginia Beach prices heated additions by square foot at $50 base plus $7 per 100 sq ft of heated area. A 500 sq ft heated addition triggers a $50 + $35 = $85 building permit in Virginia Beach, plus a $100 plan review, $10 technology fee, and 2% state levy on $85, for a total of $196.70 - regardless of whether the declared construction value is $50,000 or $200,000. Richmond uses its value-based residential formula on the declared construction value: at $80,000, the math is $63 base plus 78 x $6.07 = $536.46 building permit, plus 2% state levy of $10.73, for a total of $547.19. The gap is $350.49 in Virginia Beach's favor and widens with declared value: at $200,000, Richmond charges roughly $1,235 versus the same $196.70 in Virginia Beach.
Approximately $100,000 declared construction value for residential alterations. Below $100,000, Richmond is cheaper because Virginia Beach charges a flat $100 plan review and $10 technology fee on every permit, which sit on top of a building permit fee that uses a slightly lower per-$1,000 marginal rate than Richmond ($5/$1,000 vs Richmond's $6.07/$1,000 above $2,000). The fixed VB add-ons dominate at low values. Above approximately $100,000 declared value, the lower VB marginal rate catches up to Richmond's higher marginal rate. At exactly $100,000: Richmond charges roughly $670.84 ($63 + 98 x $6.07 + 2% levy) and Virginia Beach charges $671.00 ($50 + $500 + $100 + $10 + 2% levy on $550). At $200,000: Richmond is roughly $1,235 and VB is roughly $1,181. Note this crossover applies only to the residential alteration category where both cities use a value-based formula. For decks and heated additions where VB uses a sq-ft formula, VB is cheaper at all normal residential project sizes.
Virginia Beach's Residential Permit Fees PDF itemizes a $100 plan review fee on most residential permits and a $25 counter-review fee on certain low-complexity projects (decks, simple alterations). 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: at low project values (under ~$100k), Virginia Beach's separate $100 plan review and $10 technology fee make VB more expensive even though its marginal building permit rate is slightly lower than Richmond's. At higher project values, the lower VB marginal rate eventually compensates and VB pulls ahead.
The 2% state levy is a Virginia statewide surcharge authorized under Code of Virginia Section 36-139 (USBC Section 107.2). Both Richmond City and Virginia Beach 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. Both cities apply the levy to the building permit fee only - not on top of plan review or technology fees - so the math is comparable between cities even though Virginia Beach itemizes plan review and Richmond does not. For a $30,000 alteration: Richmond's levy is $4.66 (on $232.96 building permit), Virginia Beach's levy is $4.00 (on $200.00 building permit). Both cities are mandatory collectors; you cannot opt out.
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. Virginia Beach's Residential Permit Fees PDF carries a footer label of rev. Jul-2025 and is the current published rate sheet on planning.virginiabeach.gov. The age difference matters because Richmond may have adjusted internal rates without updating the published PDF. Verify current Richmond 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. Verify current Virginia Beach rates with the Permits and Inspections Division at (757) 385-4211.
Virginia Beach's Residential Permit Fees PDF lists decks, non-heated additions, and heated additions under a column titled Sq Ft (Heated Area) or Sq Ft (Non-Heated Area), with formulas of $50 + $4 per 100 sq ft for decks and non-heated additions, and $50 + $7 per 100 sq ft for heated additions and new construction. Residential alterations and pools are listed under a separate Value column that uses the value-based $50 + $5 per $1,000 formula. This structural choice keeps deck and addition permit fees small even on high-end projects - a $50,000 composite deck and a $5,000 deck both pay the same $66 building permit fee if the deck is 400 sq ft. Richmond uses one value-based residential formula for every project type, so the same 400 sq ft deck at $50,000 declared value would cost roughly $354.36 in Richmond ($63 + 48 x $6.07) plus the 2% levy.
Just the city building permit fee. The $237.62 Richmond alteration permit and $314.00 Virginia Beach 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, certificate of occupancy ($263 in Richmond and $75 in Virginia Beach, billed separately at project completion), Virginia Beach's separate roofing-only or siding-only applications, 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.

Calculate Your Specific Project

The PermitPrice fee calculator covers Richmond City, Virginia Beach City, and five other Virginia jurisdictions. Pick the jurisdiction and project type, enter your construction value (or square footage where applicable), 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 Richmond Permit Fees All Virginia Beach Permit Fees Virginia Deck Permit Guide

Sources

Official .gov Sources - Verified April 2026
  • 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
  • Residential Building Permit Fees - City of Virginia Beach Rev. Jul-2025 - City of Virginia Beach Planning Department, Permits and Inspections Division - Source for the Virginia Beach side of every comparison: $50 + $5/$1,000 alteration, $50 + $7/100 sq ft heated addition, $50 + $4/100 sq ft deck, $100 plan review, $10 technology fee, 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 Richmond City and Virginia Beach City
Next Step

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

Verify current fees with both jurisdictions before relying on this comparison for filing. Richmond Bureau of Permits and Inspections: (804) 646-4169 / PDRPermitsAndInspections@rva.gov. Virginia Beach Permits and Inspections Division: (757) 385-4211 / PermInsp@vbgov.com. The Richmond fee schedule on rva.gov is footer-labeled Revision 06-14-2022 and is older than Virginia Beach's Jul-2025 Residential Permit Fees PDF. 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 Richmond City Bureau of Permits and Inspections or Virginia Beach City Permits and Inspections Division at the time of application. Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing), zoning approvals, stormwater fees, certificate of occupancy ($263 in Richmond, $75 in Virginia Beach), Virginia Beach roofing-only and siding-only applications, demolition pricing in Virginia Beach (not itemized on the Residential Permit Fees PDF), 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.