BuildingPermitCost How Chico calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on floor area.
The fee table
SFR / Duplex (custom), new construction, R-3
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 500 sq ft | $4,376.00 |
| 500 sq ft – 1,000 sq ft | $4,376.00 for the first 500 sq ft + $0.97 per additional sq ft or fraction |
| 1,000 sq ft – 2,000 sq ft | $5,062.00 for the first 1,000 sq ft + $0.60 per additional sq ft or fraction |
| 2,000 sq ft – 4,000 sq ft | $5,789.00 for the first 2,000 sq ft + $0.82 per additional sq ft or fraction |
| 4,000 sq ft – 8,000 sq ft | $7,468.00 for the first 4,000 sq ft + $0.76 per additional sq ft or fraction |
| Over 8,000 sq ft | $10,943.00 for the first 8,000 sq ft + $2.67 per additional sq ft or fraction |
Residential structural remodel/renovation
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 500 sq ft | $785.00 |
| Over 500 sq ft | $785.00 for the first 500 sq ft + $28.00 per additional 500 sq ft or fraction |
Surcharges
- Plan maintenance fee: 2% of the permit fee, minimum $8.00
- State SMIP fee (Public Resources Code §2705), residential up to three stories: 0.013% of the project value, minimum $0.50
- State SMIP fee (Public Resources Code §2705), all other occupancies: 0.028% of the project value, minimum $0.50
- State Building Standards surcharge (H&S Code §18931.6): $1.00 per $25,000 of value
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). New construction is priced by floor area and occupancy in the 'Consolidated Bldg & P/C New Construction Fees' table (base fee at a size level plus a per-sq-ft cost in excess of that level), with plan check and inspection combined. State SMIP and CBSC surcharges use 'the established construction valuations as reported on the building permit'.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $5,789.00 for the first 2,000 sq ft + $0.82 × 400 per sq ft over = $6,117.00
- Plan maintenance fee: 2% of $6,117.00 = $122.34
- State SMIP fee (Public Resources Code §2705), residential up to three stories: 0.013% of $350,000.00 = $45.50
- State Building Standards surcharge (H&S Code §18931.6): $1.00 × 14 per $25,000.00 = $14.00
- Total before trade permits: $6,298.84.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Energy plan check fee (minimum, up to 2 residential units): when an energy plan check is required (schedule prints only the minimum fee); $282.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic plan check & inspection fee (hourly)When: hourly-billed plan check or inspection | $282.00 per hour |
| Construction reinspection feeWhen: more than two requests to inspect the same item | $281.00 per hour (1/2 hour minimum) |
| Post permit issuance revisionsWhen: revisions after issuance | $253.00 per hour |
| Overtime feeWhen: overtime | $422.00 per hour |
| Fire plan check processing fee (residential)When: Fire Department review required | $109.00 each |
| SWPPP (City MS4) review and inspections of building permitsWhen: a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan is required | $1,502.00 each |
| Work completed with no permitWhen: work completed without a permit | 3x the building permit fee |
| Work during plan check or before issuanceWhen: work started before permit issued | 2x the building permit fee |
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Community Development Department, Building Division.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.