Henrico County, VA Building Permit Fees (2026)
Residential building permit fees from the official Henrico County Department of Building Construction and Inspections. Value-based formula: $100 for the first $5,000 of construction cost, plus $6 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, with a $680 maximum. Fee page last updated December 2025 on henrico.gov.
This page covers: Henrico County residential building permit fees for existing one- and two-family dwellings (decks, porches, sheds, garages, swimming pools, demolitions, additions, and other appurtenances) and new one- and two-family dwelling construction, as published on the official Henrico County permit fee page. Also covers the Virginia USBC state levy (2%) applied to all permits, and trade permit fee formulas for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.
This page does NOT cover: Commercial building permits (separate $7/$1,000 formula with no cap); multi-family construction; inspection surcharge fees (new construction only, $75 per inspection over average); temporary certificate of occupancy fees; plan amendment fees; zoning or variance fees from other departments; or fees from the Henrico County Health Department, Planning Department, or Public Works.
Note on effective date: The Henrico County permit fee page at henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/ is labeled "Current" and was last updated December 17, 2025. No explicit fiscal year effective date is stated on the page. The fee formula is consistent with the residential permit page updated March 2026. Verify current rates with Building Inspections before filing.
Henrico County uses a value-based building permit formula for existing residential work: $100 for the first $5,000 of construction cost, plus $6 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. The fee is capped at $680. Virginia's mandatory 2% USBC state levy is added. A $15,000 deck costs $163.20 in building permit fees. A $30,000 addition costs $255.00. New single-family construction is a flat $680 plus $13.60 levy.
- Residential building permits for existing homes follow a value-based formula: $100 base (covers up to $5,000 in construction value) plus $6 per $1,000 of additional value or fraction thereof.
- The maximum residential building permit fee is $680, reached at approximately $101,667 in construction value. Any project above that threshold pays the same $680 cap.
- New one- and two-family dwelling construction is a flat $680 building permit fee regardless of the home's value. Trade permits for new construction are a flat $100 each.
- Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits for existing residential work follow the same value-based formula as the building permit ($100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000).
- All permits are subject to Virginia's mandatory 2% USBC state levy applied to the permit fee. Total = permit fee + (permit fee x 2%).
- No separate plan review fee is listed for residential permits - the building permit fee appears to be all-in for the building department's review and inspection costs.
Henrico County Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule
All fees listed are the building permit fee before the 2% USBC state levy. Add 2% to each permit fee at payment. Source: henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/ (last updated December 2025).
| Project Category | Formula | Example: $15,000 Project | Example: $50,000 Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| New one- or two-family dwelling (new construction) | Flat $680 | $680.00 | $680.00 |
| Existing residential - any appurtenance Decks, porches, sheds, garages, pools, additions, demolitions |
$100 + $6/$1k over $5k Max $680 |
$160.00 | $370.00 |
| Electrical permit (existing residential) | $100 + $6/$1k over $5k | $160.00 | $370.00 |
| Mechanical permit (existing residential) | $100 + $6/$1k over $5k | $160.00 | $370.00 |
| Plumbing permit (existing residential) | $100 + $6/$1k over $5k | $160.00 | $370.00 |
| Electrical permit (new construction) | Flat $100 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Mechanical permit (new construction) | Flat $100 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Plumbing permit (new construction) | Flat $100 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
Note: Add 2% USBC state levy to each permit fee at payment. Example: $160 building permit x 1.02 = $163.20 total. Source: henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/, last updated December 17, 2025. No explicit fiscal year effective date is stated on the source page.
How Henrico County Calculates Building Permit Fees
| Step | What Happens | Henrico County Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Determine construction value | The fee is based on the estimated cost of labor and materials for the project. You declare this value at application. | Building Inspections uses your declared construction value to calculate the permit fee. Undervaluing the project may trigger fee adjustments during review. |
| 2. Apply the base fee | The first $5,000 of construction value is covered by a flat $100 base fee. No additional fee accrues below $5,000. | All existing residential permits: $100 minimum regardless of project value. |
| 3. Add the per-$1,000 increment | For every $1,000 of construction value above $5,000, add $6. Fractions of $1,000 are rounded up to the next full $1,000. | $6 per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $5,000. Example: $15,000 project has $10,000 over threshold = 10 increments x $6 = $60. |
| 4. Apply the $680 maximum | The building permit fee cannot exceed $680 for one- and two-family residential permits. The cap is reached at approximately $101,667 in construction value. | Fee = min($100 + ($6 x increments), $680). At $110,000: $100 + ($6 x 105) = $730 - capped at $680. |
| 5. Add USBC state levy | Virginia's mandatory 2% levy is applied to the permit fee. Total owed = permit fee + (permit fee x 0.02). | Example: $160 permit fee x 1.02 = $163.20 total. The levy is calculated and paid separately per permit. |
| 6. Identify required trade permits | Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits are separate from the building permit. For existing residential work, they use the same formula. For new construction, each is a flat $100. | Each trade permit also carries the 2% state levy. Pull trade permits as needed - a deck requiring electrical work needs both a building permit and an electrical permit. |
Fee at Different Construction Values (Existing Residential)
| Construction Value | Building Permit Fee | 2% State Levy | Total to Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 or less | $100.00 | $2.00 | $102.00 |
| $8,000 | $118.00 | $2.36 | $120.36 |
| $15,000 | $160.00 | $3.20 | $163.20 |
| $25,000 | $220.00 | $4.40 | $224.40 |
| $30,000 | $250.00 | $5.00 | $255.00 |
| $50,000 | $370.00 | $7.40 | $377.40 |
| $75,000 | $520.00 | $10.40 | $530.40 |
| $101,667 and above | $680.00 (cap) | $13.60 | $693.60 |
These figures are for the building permit alone. If trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) are required for the same project, each trade permit carries the same formula and its own 2% state levy. Source: henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/, verified April 16, 2026.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Deck Permit ($15,000 construction value)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee (covers first $5,000) | $100 minimum | $100.00 |
| Incremental fee ($10,000 over threshold) | 10 x $6 | $60.00 |
| Building Permit Fee (before levy) | $100 + $60 | $160.00 |
| USBC State Levy | $160 x 2% | $3.20 |
| Total - Building Permit Only | $160 + $3.20 | $163.20 |
Note: The $163.20 covers the building permit only. If the deck includes electrical work (lighting, outlets), an electrical permit is required separately using the same formula - for a $15,000 deck this adds another $163.20, bringing the total to $326.40. Construction value is based on cost of labor and materials declared at application. Source: henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/, verified April 16, 2026.
Example 2: Room Addition ($30,000) with Electrical and Plumbing Trade Permits
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit - Addition | $100 + (25 x $6) | $250.00 |
| USBC State Levy (building) | $250 x 2% | $5.00 |
| Electrical Permit (same formula) | $100 + (25 x $6) = $250 + levy | $255.00 |
| Plumbing Permit (same formula) | $100 + (25 x $6) = $250 + levy | $255.00 |
| Estimated Total (building + 2 trades) | $255 + $255 + $255 | $765.00 |
Note: Trade permits for existing residential work use the same $100 + $6/$1,000 formula as the building permit, based on the same declared construction value. If mechanical (HVAC) or gas work is included, add another $255 each. Source: henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/, verified April 16, 2026.
Example 3: New Single-Family Dwelling (all permits)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit - New SFD | Flat $680 | $680.00 |
| USBC State Levy (building) | $680 x 2% | $13.60 |
| Electrical Permit (new construction) | Flat $100 + 2% levy | $102.00 |
| Mechanical/HVAC Permit (new construction) | Flat $100 + 2% levy | $102.00 |
| Plumbing Permit (new construction) | Flat $100 + 2% levy | $102.00 |
| Estimated Total (building + 3 trades) | $693.60 + $102 + $102 + $102 | $999.60 |
Note: This example covers the four core permits for new residential construction. Inspection surcharge fees ($75 per inspection exceeding average of 33) may add costs during the inspection phase for new construction. Fire suppression system permits, elevator permits, and other specialty permits would add to this total. Source: henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/, verified April 16, 2026.
Practitioner Insight
Henrico County's value-based formula sits between Fairfax County's higher percentage formula and Chesterfield County's flat fees. For a $15,000 deck: Fairfax costs $688.50, Henrico costs $163.20, Chesterfield costs $166.28, and neighboring Richmond City costs $144.75 under its $63 + $6.07/$1,000 formula. The Richmond MSA jurisdictions cluster within $22 of each other at mid-sized project values - but they diverge sharply as project cost rises. A $50,000 addition in Henrico costs $377.40 in building permit fees; the same project in Chesterfield remains $456.98 (building + env. engineering fee), while Richmond scales to $361.45 and Fairfax climbs significantly higher.
One important nuance specific to Henrico: trade permits for existing residential work follow the same $100 + $6/$1,000 formula as the building permit. This means a large addition with electrical, mechanical, and plumbing all declared at $30,000 each generates $765.00 in permit fees - more than the building permit alone. When budgeting for a full addition, count each required trade permit as a separate line item equal to or near the building permit cost. The $680 cap applies to each permit separately, not in aggregate.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Henrico County
| Project Type | Permit Required? | Building Permit Fee ($15k value) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck (attached) | Yes | $163.20 | Add electrical permit if wiring included |
| Room addition | Yes | $163.20 (at $15k) | Trade permits required separately for wiring, plumbing, HVAC |
| Garage (detached) | Yes | $163.20 (at $15k) | Electrical permit required if wiring planned |
| Shed | Yes (consult dept.) | $102.00 (at $5k or less) | No size-based exemption listed; contact Building Inspections |
| Swimming pool (in-ground) | Yes | Based on declared value | Barrier/fencing may require separate permit |
| Swimming pool (above-ground) | Yes | Based on declared value | Consult Building Inspections for threshold |
| Porch addition | Yes | $163.20 (at $15k) | Same formula as other appurtenances |
| Demolition | Yes | Based on declared value | Listed explicitly in building permit scope |
| HVAC replacement | Mechanical permit | Based on declared value | Trade permit only - no building permit needed |
| Electrical service upgrade | Electrical permit | Based on declared value | Trade permit only - no building permit needed |
| New single-family home | Yes | $693.60 (flat $680 + levy) | Plus 3 trade permits at $102 each; inspection surcharge may apply |
Shed permit requirements - including any size-based exemptions - are not explicitly detailed in the published fee schedule. Contact Henrico County Building Inspections at (804) 501-4360 before beginning any shed project to confirm current permit thresholds and applicable fees.
Henrico County Building Construction and Inspections
Department of Building Construction and Inspections
Henrico County Government
(804) 501-4360
Building Inspections main line
(804) 501-7280
Permit Center
4301 East Parham Road
Henrico, VA 23228
Build Henrico
Applications and fee payments processed online through the Build Henrico permitting portal
When This Estimate May Not Apply
No explicit fee schedule effective date
The official Henrico County permit fee page is labeled "Current" but does not state a fiscal year effective date or rate adoption date. The page was last updated December 17, 2025. Always verify the current formula directly with Building Inspections before budgeting, especially if the rates affect a significant project.
Shed permit requirements not detailed
Henrico's fee schedule lists sheds as covered under the existing residential formula but does not specify whether a size-based exemption exists (as in Chesterfield County's 256 sq ft rule). The fee formula applies to any shed requiring a permit, but the threshold for when a permit is required is not published on the fee page. Contact Building Inspections before beginning shed construction.
New construction inspection surcharges
New one- and two-family dwelling construction is subject to a $75 inspection surcharge per inspection exceeding the county average (33 for homes without fire suppression, 40 with fire suppression). These surcharges are not predictable at application time and are not included in any worked examples on this page.
Construction value declaration
The permit fee is calculated on the declared construction value at application. If the declared value is revised during review - for example, if Building Inspections determines the declared value does not reflect actual cost of labor and materials - the permit fee will change accordingly.
Commercial or multi-family construction
This page covers the residential fee formula (one- and two-family dwellings) only. Commercial buildings in Henrico County use a different formula: $100 + $7.00 per $1,000 over $5,000 with no stated maximum. Do not apply residential rates to commercial or multi-unit construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
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Henrico County - Permit Fees: Current Last updated December 17, 2025 - Henrico County Department of Building Construction and Inspections - Primary source for all building and trade permit fee formulas on this page - Accessed and verified April 16, 2026 Verified
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Henrico County - Building Permit - Residential Last updated March 16, 2026 - Henrico County - Confirms formula: $100 for first $5,000 + $6 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, plus 2% state levy - Accessed April 16, 2026
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Code of Virginia ยง36-139 - USBC State Levy Authority Current - Virginia General Assembly - Authorizing statute for the statewide 2% building permit levy applied to all Virginia jurisdictions
Compare Henrico County against Fairfax County and Chesterfield County, or calculate your specific project cost.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Henrico 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 Henrico 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 Henrico County can add significant cost to major additions and new construction. Research them at ZoneFee.com.