BuildingPermitCost How Thornton calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $30.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: 65% of the permit fee.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $500 | $30.00 |
| $501 – $2,000 | $30.00 for the first $500 + $3.15 per additional $100 or fraction |
| $2,001 – $25,000 | $75.75 for the first $2,000 + $14.40 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $397.75 for the first $25,000 + $10.40 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $650.25 for the first $50,000 + $7.20 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $1,000.25 for the first $100,000 + $5.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $3,240.25 for the first $500,000 + $4.90 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $1,000,000 | $5,615.25 for the first $1,000,000 + $3.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Added to every matching permit
- Mechanical, electrical & plumbing permit fees, new single family dwelling: a flat $100.00 (New single family dwelling)
What counts as project value
ICC Building Valuation Data table. Valuation is the estimated replacement cost including labor, materials, overhead and profit. New construction valuation may be calculated on square footage using the ICC tables. Remodel/renovation/alteration value = labor plus material cost, or material cost x 2.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $1,000.25 for the first $100,000.00 + $5.75 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $2,437.75
- Plan review fee: 65% of $2,437.75 = $1,584.54
- Mechanical, electrical & plumbing permit fees, new single family dwelling: flat fee = $100.00
- Total before trade permits: $4,122.29.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Trade permit fee per trade (plumbing, mechanical, electrical) on non-new-residential permits: when building permits that include plumbing, mechanical or electrical work (other than new residential buildings); $30.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Use tax | $3.75 % of 50% of valuation or of 100% of total material cost |
| Water/sewer connection feesWhen: new connections | see Utility Billing |
| Multi-family / townhouse MEP feeWhen: multi-family or townhouse new buildings | $25.00 per unit ($100 minimum) |
| Additional plan review for changes/revisionsWhen: plan revisions | $75.00 each |
| ReinspectionWhen: reinspection | $75.00 each |
| Work without a permit investigation feeWhen: work without permit | equal to building permit fee ($75/hr minimum) |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, residential (IRC)When: TCO requested | $750.00 each |
| Building permit transferWhen: transfer | $75.00 each |
| Construction meterWhen: when required | $25.00 each |
| Lawn sprinkler/backflow (new residential or commercial)When: lawn sprinkler/backflow | $15.00 each |
| Sanitary sewer, 1 unitWhen: sewer permit | $11.00 each |
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Building Inspection Division, City Development online through Thornton permits portal.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 303-538-7250 · 9500 Civic Center Drive, Thornton, CO