BuildingPermitCost How Birmingham calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using $9.50 per $1,000 of project value, with a $125.00 minimum. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
$9.50 per $1,000 of project value, with a $125.00 minimum.
Surcharges
- State Craft Training Fund fee (Ala. Code 41-4-413): $1.00 per $1,000 of value
What counts as project value
Your contract or bid price. The applicant provides an estimated permit value at application. New projects and additions: total project cost (including listed subcontractors' work) paid by the general contractor. Alterations and repairs: each trade pays on the value of its own work.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $350,000.00 ÷ 1,000 × $9.50 = $3,325.00
- Total before trade permits: $3,325.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Trade permit issuance fee under a general building permit (new construction or addition): when per trade permit (electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical) issued under the general building permit; count of trades is a project input; $125.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| ReinspectionWhen: faulty work reinspections | $125.00 each |
| Revised plans after permit issuedWhen: revised plans | $125.00 up to 3 pages, plus $20 per additional page |
| Certificate of OccupancyWhen: when a CO is issued | $150.00 each |
| Belated billingWhen: belated billing | double the regular fee, not less than double the $125 minimum |
| After-hours inspectionWhen: after-hours inspections | $50.00 first hour plus $50 each additional hour (weekend/holiday minimum $300 for 4 hours) |
| Partial permitWhen: partial permits | $50.00 plus the building permit fee |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Alterations: $9.50 per $1,000 valuation, $125 minimum. New construction/additions: covered by the building permit, $125 issuance fee. Plumbing: Alterations: $9.50 per $1,000 valuation, $125 minimum. New construction/additions: $125 issuance fee. Mechanical: Alterations: $9.50 per $1,000 valuation, $125 minimum (gas same). New construction/additions: $125 issuance fee.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to City of Birmingham Department of Planning, Engineering & Permits through Online Permit Center.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.