BuildingPermitCost How Topeka 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: 40% of the permit fee.
The fee table
New residential (one- and two-family), by construction area
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 1,500 sq ft | $480.00 |
| 1,500 sq ft – 3,000 sq ft | $660.00 |
| Over 3,000 sq ft | $830.00 |
Residential room addition (one- and two-family)
| Floor area | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 sq ft – 100 sq ft | $40.00 |
| 100 sq ft – 250 sq ft | $75.00 |
| 250 sq ft – 500 sq ft | $125.00 |
| 500 sq ft – 750 sq ft | $200.00 |
| 750 sq ft – 1,000 sq ft | $275.00 |
| Over 1,000 sq ft | $325.00 |
Residential interior or exterior alteration
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $500 | $30.00 |
| $501 – $5,000 | $45.00 |
| $5,001 – $10,000 | $60.00 |
| Over $10,000 | $100.00 |
Commercial building permit
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $500 | $23.50 |
| $501 – $2,000 | $23.50 for the first $500 + $3.05 per additional $100 or fraction |
| $2,001 – $25,000 | $69.25 for the first $2,000 + $14.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $391.25 for the first $25,000 + $10.10 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $643.75 for the first $50,000 + $7.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $993.75 for the first $100,000 + $5.60 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $3,233.75 for the first $500,000 + $4.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $1,000,001 – $30,000,000 | $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 + $3.65 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $30,000,000 | $111,458.75 |
Surcharges
- Technology Improvement Fee: $3.00
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). New homes and room additions are priced by square feet of construction area (fixed fee per size band). Residential alterations use 'Cost of Construction' bands; commercial permits use the construction valuation table. The resolution does not say how valuation is verified.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: table value for 2,400 sq ft: $660.00 = $660.00
- Technology Improvement Fee: fixed = $3.00
- Total before trade permits: $663.00.
Fees people miss
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Working without a permitWhen: work requires a permit and no application was made | twice the permit fee |
| Trade contractor work commenced without a permitWhen: trade contractor started work without the required permit | $500.00 each, in addition to the permit fee |
| Reinspection feeWhen: reinspection needed | $55.00 per hour |
| Homeowner trade permitWhen: homeowner performs trade work | $55.00 each |
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Planning and Development Services.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.