Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common questions. For deeper detail, follow the linked pages.

What is PermitPrice?

PermitPrice is a building permit fee lookup and calculator platform covering U.S. residential projects. Every dollar amount on the site is derived from an official government fee schedule cited on the page. See About.

Are these fees exact?

No. Fees on PermitPrice are reference figures derived from the cited fee formula. Your actual permit fee depends on the specific scope your building department reviews and any revisions, valuation differences, or add-on fees triggered during plan review. Treat PermitPrice numbers as a budgeting baseline, not a quotation. See Disclaimer.

Where do the numbers come from?

From .gov fee schedule PDFs, municipal ordinances, and official permit-portal pages. We do not source from contractor blogs or aggregators. Each page links the source document. See Sources.

How often are fees updated?

Most jurisdictions adjust fees annually. We re-verify when a new schedule is published, when a fiscal year rolls over, or when a reader sends a verified correction. Each page shows a last-verified date. See Methodology.

Why do fees differ so much between jurisdictions?

Fee schedules use different bases. Some jurisdictions charge a flat fee for small projects, some apply a percentage of project valuation, some apply per-square-foot rates, and most layer on state and technology surcharges. PermitPrice publishes the specific formula for each jurisdiction so the comparison is apples-to-apples.

How do the calculators work?

Each calculator applies the cited fee formula in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to our server. Inputs are discarded when you close the page. See Privacy.

What is excluded from the calculator estimate?

• Plan-review revisions and resubmittal fees.
• After-hours or expedited inspections.
• Reactivation of an expired permit.
• Demolition fees bundled with new construction in some jurisdictions.
• Third-party plan review where required.
• Trade-permit add-ons not separately priced in the schedule.

Is this legal or engineering advice?

No. PermitPrice is general reference content. It is not a substitute for advice from your building department, an architect, an engineer, or a licensed contractor.

I think a fee on a page is wrong - what do I do?

Send the URL, the figure you believe is incorrect, and a link to the official source through our Corrections page. Verified corrections with a citation are usually applied within a few business days.

How should I verify with my building department?

Call the permit counter for your county or city. Ask for the current building permit fee for your specific scope (deck, shed, pool, addition, alteration), the valuation method they will apply, and any state or technology surcharges. Most departments will quote the formula even if they cannot quote the final number without a complete application.

Do you cover commercial permits?

Not currently. PermitPrice covers residential building permits only - one- and two-family construction. See Coverage for the live list.

Do you have an account or login?

No. PermitPrice has no login, no newsletter, no contact form, no comments, and no cookies. Browsing is anonymous. See Privacy.

How is PermitPrice funded?

Currently it is unfunded - no advertising, no affiliate links, no sponsored placements. If that ever changes, the change will be disclosed clearly on Editorial Policy.