BuildingPermitCost How Elgin calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on floor area. Plan review is a separate charge: 35% of the permit fee (minimum $90.00). Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
Residential new construction
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| Over 0 sq ft | $65.00 per 100 sq ft or fraction |
Residential additions
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| Over 0 sq ft | $65.00 per 100 sq ft or fraction |
Alterations and repairs, all uses
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Over $0 | $65.00 per $1,000 or fraction |
Commercial or industrial new construction and additions
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| Over 0 sq ft | $65.00 per 100 sq ft or fraction |
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). New construction and additions are priced per 100 sq ft (or portion) of overall area of each floor, including above and below grade. Alterations and repairs are priced per $1,000 of valuation; the schedule does not say how that valuation is determined.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $0.00 for the first 0 sq ft + $65.00 × 24 per 100 sq ft over = $1,560.00
- Plan review fee: 35% of $1,560.00 = $546.00
- Total before trade permits: $2,106.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Certificate of occupancy (per tenant space): when a certificate of occupancy is required (e.g. a new dwelling); $230.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Garage (attached or detached), residential new construction or additionWhen: the project includes a garage | $40.00 per 100 sq ft or portion ($85 minimum) |
| Certificate of occupancy, change of use / partial or temporaryWhen: change of use, partial or temporary CO | $230.00 per tenant space |
| Updated CO (new business name / ownership change only)When: name or ownership change | $65.00 each |
| Plan check when re-submittal does not address previous commentsWhen: re-submittal fails to address comments | equals plan check fee |
| Permit extensionWhen: extension requested | $65.00 each permit |
| Re-inspection (first / second / third)When: re-inspection required | $195.00 first; second $500; third $770 |
| Work started without a permitWhen: work started without a permit | equals permit fee, up to $720 |
| Refund administrative feeWhen: refund requested | $55.00 each |
| Credit card processing feeWhen: paid by credit card and fees total over $10,000 | $2.00 % of total, when zoning and building fees total more than $10,000 |
| Moving buildings, all usesWhen: building moved | $465.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Flat fees: new single-family $460; multi-family $320 per unit; residential alteration/service change $85; commercial 0-400 amp $240, over 400 amp $320; wiring and circuiting $85 per 1,000 sq ft. Plumbing: New single-family including sewer and water $390; fixture addition/replacement $85 per fixture; commercial new 1-5 fixtures $170 plus $75 each additional. Mechanical: Warm air furnace/boiler new installation $170 first unit, $85 each additional; residential duct work $115 per dwelling unit.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to City of Elgin Community Development.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120