BuildingPermitCost How Melbourne calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value. Plan review is a separate charge: 50% of the permit fee.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $1,000 | $65.00 |
| $1,001 – $50,000 | $65.00 for the first $1,000 + $6.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $383.50 for the first $50,000 + $5.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $653.00 for the first $100,000 + $4.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $500,000 | $2,448.50 for the first $500,000 + $3.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Surcharges
- Life Safety review: 25% of the permit fee
- Technology fee: 5% of the fee total
What counts as project value
Higher of your bid or the valuation table. 'The cost of new construction shall be calculated using the most current edition ICC (International Code Council) building valuation data or contracted price, whichever is greater.'
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $653.00 for the first $100,000.00 + $4.50 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $1,778.00
- Plan review fee: 50% of $1,778.00 = $889.00
- Technology fee: 5% of $2,667.00 = $133.35
- Total before trade permits: $2,800.35.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Community Development Department permit review: when the permit is reviewed by the Community Development Department; $25.00 on the standard projects.
- Engineering Department permit review: when the permit is reviewed by the Engineering Department; $25.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Permits with multiple tradesWhen: permit includes multiple trades | $35.00 per trade review |
| Administrative permitWhen: administrative permit | $125.00 each |
| Inspection fee for permits not based on ICC valuation tablesWhen: permit not based on valuation table | |
| Review and re-stamp replacement copies of approved plansWhen: replacement plans | $65.00 each |
| Re-inspection, firstWhen: failed inspection | $38.00 each |
| Partial inspectionWhen: partial inspection | $38.00 each |
| Additional plan check after two reviewsWhen: plans not approved after two reviews | |
| Review revised plans after permit issuedWhen: revisions after issuance | $35.00 per trade |
| Work without permitWhen: work started before permit | |
| Failure to schedule final inspection within 180 daysWhen: final not scheduled in 180 days | $125.00 each |
| Permit extensionWhen: extension granted | $35.00 each |
| Beneficial use up to 30 daysWhen: beneficial use requested | $125.00 each |
1 more fees
- Exemption request: $62.50 each
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to the city building department.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.