BuildingPermitCost How Indianapolis calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on floor area, plus a $40.00 application fee. Plan review is a separate charge: its own fee table. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
Structural Permit - Residential (STR): construction or placement of, or additions to, Class 2 primary structures
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 2,000 sq ft | $750.00 |
| Over 2,000 sq ft | $750.00 for the first 2,000 sq ft + $100.00 per additional 500 sq ft or fraction |
Plus an application fee of $40.00.
STR Residential: remodeling, alteration, or repair of Class 2 structures; no addition
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 1,000 sq ft | $200.00 |
| Over 1,000 sq ft | $200.00 for the first 1,000 sq ft + $50.00 per additional 500 sq ft or fraction |
Plus an application fee of $40.00.
Structural Permit - Commercial (STR): construction or placement of, or additions to, Class 1 structures
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 2,500 sq ft | $1,000.00 |
| Over 2,500 sq ft | $1,000.00 for the first 2,500 sq ft + $150.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft or fraction |
Plus an application fee of $40.00.
STR Commercial: remodeling, alteration, or repair of Class 1 structures
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 999 sq ft | $350.00 |
| 999 sq ft – 2,500 sq ft | $750.00 |
| Over 2,500 sq ft | $750.00 for the first 2,500 sq ft + $150.00 per additional 1,000 sq ft or fraction |
Plus an application fee of $40.00.
Added to every matching permit
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) application fee: a flat $32.00 (Residential · new construction, additions)
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) review fee, new single-family (platted): a flat $156.00 (Residential · new construction)
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) review fee, single-family additions: a flat $108.00 (Residential · additions)
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) application fee, commercial: a flat $32.00 (Commercial · new construction)
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) review fee, commercial new construction: a fee table based on floor area (Commercial · new construction)
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). Fees are not based on valuation. Structural permit review and issuance fees are priced by floor area: 'Sqft calculations include the area of an attached garage or carport, and the area of a finished basement or attic, but excludes the area of an unfinished basement or attic.' (Permits sheet, row 27).
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $750.00 for the first 2,000 sq ft + $100.00 × 1 per 500 sq ft over = $850.00
- Application fee: fixed = $40.00
- Plan review fee: $175.00 for the first 2,000 sq ft + $25.00 × 1 per 500 sq ft over = $200.00
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) application fee: flat fee = $32.00
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) review fee, new single-family (platted): flat fee = $156.00
- Total before trade permits: $1,278.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Drainage permit (application + review up to 3 hours + issuance): when when a drainage permit is required (lots not in a subdivision pre-approved for drainage, additions over 400 sq ft); $890.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| ILP review fee, new single-family on a metes-and-bounds lotWhen: lot described by metes and bounds instead of a recorded plat (replaces the $156 platted fee) | $199.00 each |
| ILP review fee, two-family/cluster/attachedWhen: two-family or attached dwellings | $199.00 each |
| Floodplain Development Permit, new single-familyWhen: property in a floodplain | $183.00 each |
| Reinspection feeWhen: failed or not-ready inspection | $175.00 each |
| Accelerated same-day inspection, Class 2 structuresWhen: optional | $232.00 each |
| Work without Improvement Location Permit, first offense in a calendar yearWhen: violation | $250.00 each |
| Permit amendmentWhen: permit amended | $101.00 each |
| Permit renewalWhen: permit renewed | $56.00 each |
| Request to transfer a building permitWhen: permit transferred | $48.00 each |
| Admin Fees (printed at the top of the Permits, Inspections, Code Enforcement and Misc. sheets)When: not stated; not treated as part of an ordinary permit | $250.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Plumbing: Plumbing Permit (PLM): new residential structure $185 (≤ 2,500 sf) plus $23 per 500 sf over 2,500 sf; residential repair/alteration/remodel $153 (≤ 1,000 sf) plus $23 per 500 sf over 1,000 sf; commercial $182 (0-10 fixtures) plus $23 per additional 5 fixtures. Craft permit fees did not change on January 5, 2026. Electrical: Electrical Permit (ELE): new structure or commercial addition $202 (≤ 2,500 sf) plus $23 per additional 1,000 sf over 2,500 sf; repair to existing structure or residential addition $169 (≤ 1,000 sf) plus $23 per additional 500 sf over 1,000 sf; self-certification tags $22. Mechanical: Heating/Cooling Permit (HTG), all structures: heating or cooling $153 (≤ 2,500 sf), combined heating & cooling $185 (≤ 2,500 sf), plus $23 per 1,000 sf over 2,500 sf; refrigeration equipment $156.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS) online through Accela Citizens Access (ACA).
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 317.327.8700 · 200 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204