BuildingPermitCost How Polk County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $40.00 minimum. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $500 | $40.00 |
| $501 – $2,000 | $40.00 for the first $500 + $2.27 per additional $100 |
| $2,001 – $25,000 | $74.05 for the first $2,000 + $10.47 per additional $1,000 |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $314.86 for the first $25,000 + $7.64 per additional $1,000 |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $505.86 for the first $50,000 + $5.34 per additional $1,000 |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $772.86 for the first $100,000 + $4.11 per additional $1,000 |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $2,416.86 for the first $500,000 + $3.53 per additional $1,000 |
| Over $1,000,000 | $4,178.86 for the first $1,000,000 + $2.33 per additional $1,000 |
What counts as project value
Local valuation table. 'Valuation is determined by actual value of project for those listed, refer to exhibit A unless specifically noted'; Exhibit A uses the August 2024 ICC Building Valuation Data. The 'Building Permits (Square Footage/Valuation)' column lists a figure per project type (1 & 2 family dwellings incl. additions/sunrooms $155.00; finished basement new $62 / existing $41; unfinished basement $31; attached garage $64; roofed deck/porch $56; deck no roof $19 residential). These are read as valuation dollars per square foot that feed the valuation table: the column is headed 'Square Footage/Valuation' and the factory-built row says 'if basement add cost per square foot above'. The '$/sq ft' unit is not printed on each row and the calculator applies the table to the entered valuation, not to sq ft x rate. Interior remodels/repairs of 1 & 2 family dwellings use actual valuation.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $772.86 for the first $100,000.00 + $4.11 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $1,800.36
- Total before trade permits: $1,800.36.
Fees people miss
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Temporary certificate of occupancyWhen: temporary CO requested | $100.00 each |
| 2nd reinspection feeWhen: second reinspection | $101.00 per inspection |
| After hours inspectionWhen: after-hours inspection | $142.00 per inspection |
| Footing/foundation permitWhen: separate footing/foundation permit | fee on 10% of total building valuation |
| Shell building permitWhen: shell building | fee on 80% of total building valuation |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: $45 basic fee plus items (meter $12, circuits 1-10 $6 each, fixed appliances $10 each, ...). Flat: residential basement finish $60, service upgrade $60, residential solar $52. Plumbing: $45 basic fee plus items (water service $70, sewer service $70, fixtures $10 each, gas piping 1-6 $7 each, ...). Mechanical: $45 basic fee plus items (furnace/mini split $23, A/C $21, water heater $9.30, ...). Flat: fireplace only $62, furnace/AC replacement $41.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Polk County Public Works - Building Services through OpenGov permit portal.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 515-286-3705 · 5885 NE 14 Street, Des Moines, IA 50313