BuildingPermitCost How Lakeland calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $40.50 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: 25% of the permit fee (minimum $31.50). Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $1,000 | $40.50 |
| $1,001 – $10,000 | $72.00 |
| $10,001 – $100,000 | $72.00 for the first $10,000 + $4.73 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $497.70 for the first $100,000 + $3.74 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $1,993.70 for the first $500,000 + $1.58 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $1,000,000 | $2,783.70 for the first $1,000,000 + $1.08 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Added to every matching permit
- Zoning compliance determination (new construction): a flat $20.00 (new construction)
Surcharges
- Florida state surcharges (2.5% of building permit fee): 2.5% of the permit fee
- Florida state surcharges (2.5% of plans review fee): 2.5% of the plan review fee
What counts as project value
Not stated in the schedule. Building permit fees are 'based on valuation'; the page does not say how valuation is determined.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $497.70 for the first $100,000.00 + $3.74 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $1,432.70
- Plan review fee: 25% of $1,432.70 = $358.18
- Zoning compliance determination (new construction): flat fee = $20.00
- Florida state surcharges (2.5% of building permit fee): 2.5% of $1,432.70 = $35.82
- Florida state surcharges (2.5% of plans review fee): 2.5% of $358.18 = $8.95
- Total before trade permits: $1,855.65.
Fees people miss
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Penalty: work commenced without permit (first violation)When: work commenced without a permit | $150.00 each |
| Re-inspection feeWhen: re-inspection needed | $31.50 each |
| Plan revisionWhen: plans revised | $31.50 per trade (residential); $45 commercial |
| Notice of CommencementWhen: notice of commencement processed by the city | $5.00 each |
| Permit extensionWhen: permit extension requested | $40.00 each ($50 to reopen and extend) |
| Private provider reduced feesWhen: owner uses a private provider under F.S. 553.791 | 20% of permit fee or $72, whichever is greater (inspections) |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Residential: new single-family/duplex/townhouse $81; renovation, addition or alteration $72; repair $40.50. Commercial new/addition/renovation: $72 or $0.027/sq ft, whichever is greater. Mechanical: HVAC new single-family/duplex/townhouse $72; HVAC work in existing single-family $72. Plumbing: 1-3 fixture waste connections $72, each additional fixture $4.50; sewer connection $31.50. Gas: 1-3 outlets $72, each additional $4.50.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Building Inspection, City of Lakeland online through iMS / ePlan.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 863.834.6012 · 228 S. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801