Evanston prices building permits with 2% of project value, then charges plan review at its own fee table. Enter your project to see the exact math.
Official city schedule
Effective not stated
Verified Nov 5, 2026
Minimum fee
—
Plan review
Separate
$75k addition
$1,590
Permit fee calculator
Evanston schedule
$
sq ft
Estimated permit fees$1,590.00
1. Building permit fee 2% of $75,000.00$1,500.00
2. Plan review fee table value for $75,000.00: $90.00$90.00
May also apply (not in the total)
Planning & Zoning plan review When: the project requires Planning & Zoning plan review$90.00
Fees are estimates based on the official schedule linked below. Confirm with the permit office before applying. Separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, impact, utility and school fees are usually not included unless they are listed. BuildingPermitCost is not a government permit office, and this is not legal advice.
What common projects cost
Kitchen or bath remodel
$25,000 value, remodel 300 sq ft
$550.00
$500.00 building permit + $50.00 plan review
Room addition
$75,000 value, addition 400 sq ft
$1,590.00
$1,500.00 building permit + $90.00 plan review
New single-family home
$350,000 value, new single-family 2,400 sq ft
$7,808.50
$7,000.00 building permit + $808.50 plan review
How Evanston calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using 2% of project value. Plan review is a separate charge: its own fee table. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
2% of project value.
What counts as project value
Your contract or bid price. 'The building permit fee shall be 2% of the cost of construction. A contractor proposal or contract shall be submitted prior to permit issuance to verify the cost of construction.' Over $100,000 a sworn contractor's statement of final cost is required at completion.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
Building permit fee: 2% of $350,000.00 = $7,000.00
Plan review fee: $350,000.00 ÷ 1,000 × $2.31 = $808.50
Total before trade permits: $7,808.50.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
Planning & Zoning plan review: when the project requires Planning & Zoning plan review; $50.00 on the standard projects.
Fee
Amount
Third and subsequent plan reviewsWhen: three or more reviews required before permit issuance
equal to the original plan review fee per additional review
Work commenced without a permitWhen: work started before a permit was obtained
permit fee increased by 50%
Trade inspection/reinspection, missed inspection (minimum)When: reinspection or missed/uncancelled inspection
$70.00 each
Final certificate of occupancy, residentialWhen: certificate of occupancy issued
$30.00 per unit
General contractor registration (annual)When: contractor not yet registered for the year
$150.00 each
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Electrical worksheet. New/altered service up to 800 A $100 (+$100 each additional); circuits $40 (+$12 each additional); motors/devices $25 (+$12). Mechanical: Furnace/AC $50 per unit; split system $100 per system; boiler $50 per unit. Plumbing: Water service $35; new fixtures $20 each; replacement fixtures $15 each; water heater $30.
How to apply
Gather your plans and your project's total value.
Submit to Building & Development Services, Community Development through Citizen Portal (Building & Permits).
Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
Questions: 311 or (847) 448-4311 · Lorraine H. Morton City Hall, 909 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201
How Evanston compares
A $25,000 remodel costs $550.00 in Evanston: 45% above the national median of $380.00, and the 3rd highest of 10 places we cover in Illinois (state median $250.00).
A $75,000 addition costs $1,590.00 in Evanston: 94% above the national median of $820.58, and the 2nd highest of 9 places we cover in Illinois (state median $600.00).
A $350,000 new home costs $7,808.50 in Evanston: about 2.7 times the national median of $2,918.63, and the highest of 9 places we cover in Illinois (state median $2,460.00).
A $25,000 remodel: $550.00. A $75,000 addition: $1,590.00. A $350,000 new single-family: $7,808.50. These include every fee the schedule applies to that project; trade permits are separate.
Is plan review included in the Evanston permit fee?
No. Plan review is charged separately at its own fee table.
How does Evanston determine project value?
Your contract or bid price. 'The building permit fee shall be 2% of the cost of construction. A contractor proposal or contract shall be submitted prior to permit issuance to verify the cost of construction.' Over $100,000 a sworn contractor's statement of final cost is required at completion.
Are electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits included?
No. They are separate permits. Electrical: Electrical worksheet. New/altered service up to 800 A $100 (+$100 each additional); circuits $40 (+$12 each additional); motors/devices $25 (+$12). Mechanical: Furnace/AC $50 per unit; split system $100 per system; boiler $50 per unit. Plumbing: Water service $35; new fixtures $20 each; replacement fixtures $15 each; water heater $30.
When did these Evanston fees take effect?
The schedule does not state an effective date. We last checked it against the official source on Nov 5, 2026.
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