Chesterfield County, VA Building Permit Fees (2026)
Residential building permit fees from the official Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection fee schedule, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Flat-fee structure - no percentage of construction value.
This page covers: Chesterfield County residential building permit fees as published in the FY2025-2026 fee schedule. This includes the base building permit fee for all major residential project types, the Virginia USBC state levy (2%), and the separate Environmental Engineering site inspection fee that Building Inspection collects at application time for most projects that change the building footprint.
This page does NOT cover: Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical) which carry separate fees; the Environmental Engineering VSMP stormwater fee for new construction; the Planning Department fee for new single-family dwellings; commercial building permits; multi-family or townhouse construction (separate fee schedule); impact fees; zoning variance fees; or reinspection and revision fees.
Note on fee structure: Unlike Fairfax County (percentage of value) and Loudoun County (hybrid flat/percentage), Chesterfield County uses a pure flat-fee schedule for all residential project types. The fee is the same regardless of your project's declared construction value.
Chesterfield County charges flat building permit fees - the cost does not scale with your project value. A deck permit costs $114. A general room addition costs $399. New single-family construction costs $684. Virginia's mandatory 2% USBC state levy is added to all building permit fees. For most additions, a separate $50 Environmental Engineering site inspection fee is also collected at application. Sheds under 256 square feet require no permit.
- Chesterfield County uses flat building permit fees - your project's dollar value does not affect the permit fee. A $10,000 deck and a $40,000 deck both cost $114 for the building permit.
- Sheds 256 square feet or under require no permit. Sheds from 257 to 400 sq ft cost $114. Sheds over 400 sq ft cost $285.
- All building permits are subject to Virginia's mandatory 2% USBC state levy applied to the Building Inspection fee only.
- A separate $50 Environmental Engineering site inspection fee is collected at application for additions, garages, porches, pools, and other projects that change the building footprint.
- Trade permits (electrical at $171, gas at $114, HVAC at $114, plumbing at $228 for new construction) are not included in these building permit fees and must be pulled separately.
- The current fee schedule is effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 - the most current available.
Chesterfield County Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule
All fees listed are the building permit fee only. Add the 2% USBC state levy to each. The $50 Environmental Engineering site inspection fee applies to most projects that change the building footprint - see the methodology section below.
| Project Type | Building Permit Fee | Shed / Size Rule |
|---|---|---|
| New single-family dwelling | $684.00 | Also requires VSMP ($209) + Planning ($40) + Env Eng ($50) at application |
| Addition (general) | $399.00 | Applies to additions not listed elsewhere |
| Florida room, attached garage, or detached garage with occupiable space | $392.00 | Detached garage with living/finished space above |
| Detached garage (no occupiable space) or shed over 400 sq ft | $285.00 | Finished pool house also in this tier |
| Deck, carport, gazebo, dormers, retaining wall, boat dock with roof | $114.00 | Greenhouse, unfinished pool house also in this tier |
| Chimney or porch addition | $171.00 | |
| In-ground swimming pool with barrier | $57.00 | Pool barrier permitted separately adds another $57 |
| Above-ground swimming pool with barrier | $57.00 | |
| Shed - 257 to 400 sq ft | $114.00 | Sheds 256 sq ft and under require no permit |
| Shed - 256 sq ft or less | No permit required | Work must still comply with building code |
| Renovation or alteration - no change to sq footage | $114.00 | |
| Renovation resulting in increased sq footage (unfinished to finished, no footings) | $171.00 | |
| Storm damage repair or exterior renovation | $57.00 | |
| Demolition | $57.00 | |
| Handicap accessible ramp | No fee | Must provide proof of medical need |
Source: Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection, Residential Fee Schedule Summary. Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Accessed and verified April 16, 2026.
How Chesterfield County Calculates Building Permit Fees
| Step | What Happens | Chesterfield County Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify project type | Match the project to the fee schedule category (deck, addition, new construction, shed, etc.) | Flat fee assigned by project type - construction value does not affect the fee |
| 2. Apply base building permit fee | Look up the flat fee for your project category. No calculation required. | Examples: deck = $114, addition = $399, new home = $684 |
| 3. Add USBC state levy | Virginia's mandatory 2% levy is applied to Building Inspection department fees only. | State levy = base permit fee × 2%. Example: $114 deck = $2.28 levy |
| 4. Add Environmental Engineering fee (if applicable) | A separate $50 site inspection fee is collected by Building Inspection at application for projects that change the building footprint. | $50 applies to new homes, additions, garages, porches, pools. Does NOT apply to projects that do not change the footprint (e.g., interior renovations). |
| 5. Identify required trade permits | Electrical, gas, mechanical (HVAC), and plumbing work each require a separate permit with separate fees. | Not included in building permit fee. Electrical new SFD = $171; gas new install = $114; HVAC new = $114; plumbing new SFD = $228. Each also subject to 2% state levy. |
Auxiliary Permit Fees (Trade Permits)
| Permit Type | New Construction | Addition / Renovation (rough-in required) | Replacement / Service Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | $171.00 | $114.00 | $57.00 |
| Gas (natural gas) | $114.00 | $57.00 (piping to appliances only) | $57.00 |
| Mechanical / HVAC | $114.00 | $114.00 (new ductwork); $57 (no new ductwork) | $57.00 |
| Plumbing | $228.00 | $114.00 | $57.00 |
All trade permit fees are also subject to Virginia's 2% USBC state levy, calculated on each permit separately. Source: Chesterfield County Residential Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Deck Permit (any project value - flat fee applies)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit - Deck | Flat fee per fee schedule | $114.00 |
| USBC State Levy | $114 × 2% | $2.28 |
| Environmental Engineering Site Inspection | Footprint change (deck addition) | $50.00 |
| Estimated Total | $114 + $2.28 + $50 | $166.28 |
Note: The deck permit fee is flat at $114 regardless of whether the deck costs $8,000 or $30,000. The Environmental Engineering fee applies because a deck changes the building footprint. No trade permits are typically required for a deck unless electrical work is included. Reinspection fees not included. Source: Chesterfield County Residential Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025.
Example 2: Room Addition with Electrical and Plumbing
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit - Addition | Flat fee - general addition | $399.00 |
| USBC State Levy (building permit) | $399 × 2% | $7.98 |
| Environmental Engineering Site Inspection | Footprint change (addition) | $50.00 |
| Electrical Permit (addition, rough-in required) | Flat fee + 2% levy | $114.00 + $2.28 = $116.28 |
| Plumbing Permit (addition, rough-in required) | Flat fee + 2% levy | $114.00 + $2.28 = $116.28 |
| Estimated Total | $399 + $7.98 + $50 + $116.28 + $116.28 | $689.54 |
Note: The building permit fee ($399) is fixed regardless of the addition's construction value. Trade permit costs depend on whether rough-in work is required - if wiring or plumbing is pre-existing and not being extended, the trade permit fee drops to $57 each. Gas or HVAC permits would add additional fees if applicable. Source: Chesterfield County Residential Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025.
Example 3: New Single-Family Dwelling (all permits at application)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit - New SFD | Flat fee | $684.00 |
| USBC State Levy | $684 × 2% | $13.68 |
| Environmental Engineering Site Inspection | New home on private property | $50.00 |
| Env. Engineering VSMP Stormwater Fee | New SFD on private property | $209.00 |
| Planning Department Fee | Single-family dwelling | $40.00 |
| Electrical Permit (new SFD) | $171 + 2% levy | $174.42 |
| Gas Permit (new installation) | $114 + 2% levy | $116.28 |
| Mechanical/HVAC Permit (new system) | $114 + 2% levy | $116.28 |
| Plumbing Permit (new SFD) | $228 + 2% levy | $232.56 |
| Estimated Total (all permits combined) | All of the above | $1,636.22 |
Note: This example shows all permit fees collected at application for a new home. The VSMP ($209) and Planning ($40) fees are department-specific fees collected by Building Inspection at application - they are not subject to the USBC state levy. Fire and boiler permits (each $57 + levy) may also apply depending on the home's systems. Foundation pour inspection may add $398. Source: Chesterfield County Residential Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2025.
Practitioner Insight
Chesterfield County's flat-fee model creates an unusual advantage for high-value residential projects. A $50,000 deck addition carries exactly the same $114 building permit fee as a $5,000 one. This is structurally opposite to Fairfax County's 3%-of-value formula, where a $50,000 deck generates a building permit fee nearly 30 times higher than in Chesterfield. For larger budget projects, Chesterfield's flat fee can represent a fraction of a percent of construction cost, compared to 3%+ in neighboring jurisdictions.
The practical nuance is that Chesterfield's flat-fee schedule is structured by project category, not by size within a category. A deck and a carport fall in the same $114 tier. A general addition and a room addition above a garage both trigger different tiers ($399 vs. $392 for an attached garage with occupiable space). When in doubt about which tier applies to your project, call Building Inspection at 804-751-4990 before filing - misclassification discovered during review can add processing time.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Chesterfield County
| Project Type | Permit Required? | Building Permit Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck (attached) | Yes | $114 + $2.28 levy + $50 env = $166.28 | Flat fee regardless of value |
| Room addition | Yes | $399 + $7.98 levy + $50 env = $456.98 | Trade permits required separately |
| Attached garage (with occupiable space) | Yes | $392 + $7.84 levy + $50 env = $449.84 | Florida room same tier |
| Detached garage (no occupiable space) | Yes | $285 + $5.70 levy + $50 env = $340.70 | |
| Shed - under 256 sq ft | No permit required | $0 | Must still comply with building code |
| Shed - 257 to 400 sq ft | Yes | $114 + $2.28 levy | Env. fee applies if footprint changes |
| Shed - over 400 sq ft | Yes | $285 + $5.70 levy | Same tier as detached garage |
| In-ground swimming pool | Yes | $57 + $1.14 levy + $50 env = $108.14 | Pool barrier is separate +$57 if not combined |
| Kitchen or bathroom remodel (structural) | Yes | $114 (no sq ft change) or $171 (change of use) | Trade permits required separately |
| HVAC replacement | Separate mechanical permit | $57 (no new ductwork) or $114 (new ductwork) | Mechanical/trade permit only |
| New single-family home | Yes | $684 + additional fees - see Example 3 | Multiple department fees at application |
Environmental Engineering fee ($50) applies to projects that change the footprint of the building. Contact Chesterfield County Building Inspection at 804-751-4990 to confirm whether the environmental fee applies to your specific project before filing.
Chesterfield County Building Inspection Office
Department of Building Inspection
Chesterfield County Government
804-751-4990
Building Inspection main line
9800 Government Center Pkwy
Chesterfield, VA 23832
ELM (Electronic License Manager)
Apply and pay online at aca-prod.accela.com/CHESTERFIELD
When This Estimate May Not Apply
Environmental Engineering fee scope uncertainty
The fee schedule states the $50 Environmental Engineering site inspection fee applies to "any permit or resubmittal that changes the footprint of the building, or addition, garage, porch, swimming pool, etc." The boundary between which projects trigger this fee and which do not may depend on the specific project scope. Confirm with Building Inspection whether your project triggers the $50 fee before budgeting.
Project category ambiguity
Chesterfield County assigns fees by project category, not by size (except for sheds) or construction value. If your project falls between categories - such as a sunroom that could be classified as a Florida room ($392) or a general addition ($399) - the assigned category determines the fee. Contact Building Inspection to confirm the correct category for your specific project before filing.
Work performed without a permit
Chesterfield County charges a Code Investigation Fee for construction performed without a required permit. This is the greater of 25% of the permit fee or $57, in addition to the standard permit fees. Do not assume standard rates apply if permits were missed - contact Building Inspection directly.
Commercial or multi-family construction
This page covers the residential fee schedule only. Chesterfield County uses separate fee schedules for commercial buildings and multi-family/townhouse projects. Do not apply residential rates to commercial or multi-unit construction.
Zoning and variance approvals
Projects requiring zoning variances, special exceptions, or Board of Zoning Appeals review carry additional fees from the Planning Department and Community Development beyond the building permit fee. These are not covered here and can significantly exceed the building permit cost for complex projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
-
Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection - Residential Fee Schedule Summary (PDF) Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 - Chesterfield County, VA - Primary source for all building permit fees on this page - Accessed and verified April 16, 2026 Verified
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Chesterfield County - Residential Permits and Inspections Processes Current - Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection - Contact information and application portal (ELM) details
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Code of Virginia §36-139 - USBC State Levy Authority Current - Virginia General Assembly - Authorizing statute for the statewide 2% building permit levy applied to all Virginia jurisdictions
Compare Chesterfield County's flat fees against Fairfax County and Loudoun County, or calculate your specific project cost.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Chesterfield County permit cost, two related numbers complete your total budget picture:
Property tax impact after your project closes
A permitted deck or addition increases your assessed value in Chesterfield County. See how each Virginia jurisdiction calculates the ongoing property tax impact at CountyTaxTools.com.
Zoning review and development impact fees
Development impact fees and zoning costs in Chesterfield County can exceed the building permit fee for major additions and new construction. Research them at ZoneFee.com.