BuildingPermitCost How Chatham County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using $6.00 per $1,000 of project value, or $0.48 per square foot, whichever is greater, with a $30.00 minimum. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
Residential new construction
$6.00 per $1,000 of project value, or $0.48 per square foot, whichever is greater, with a $30.00 minimum.
Addition to single-family house
$0.48 per square foot, with a $30.00 minimum.
Commercial construction
$7.00 per $1,000 of project value, with a $30.00 minimum.
What counts as project value
Higher of your bid or the valuation table. New construction: residential fee is based on the greater of $80 per sq ft under roof and the submitted value; commercial on the greater of $100 per sq ft under roof and the submitted value. Additions to a single-family house: value = under-roof sq ft x $80 (worked example 150 sq ft -> $12,000 -> $72.00).
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $350,000.00 ÷ 1,000 × $6.00 = $2,100.00
- Total before trade permits: $2,100.00.
Fees people miss
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Plan review fee collected at application (credited to permit fee)When: collected at application, credited against the permit fee | $2.00 per $1,000 of construction value |
| Re-inspection feeWhen: failed re-inspection | $30.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Separate electrical application; no fee schedule published in the forms reviewed. Plumbing: Separate plumbing application; no fee schedule published in the forms reviewed. Mechanical: Separate mechanical application; no fee schedule published in the forms reviewed.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Chatham County Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services online through EnerGov self service (permit search).
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 912-201-4300 · 1117 Eisenhower Dr Ste D, Savannah, GA 31406