BuildingPermitCost How Lowell calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $50.00 minimum. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $1,000 | $50.00 |
| Over $1,000 | $50.00 for the first $1,000 + $10.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Added to every matching permit
- Certificate of Occupancy/Completion: a flat $75.00 (All projects)
What counts as project value
Your contract or bid price. Fees for new buildings, additions, alterations and structures are 'Based on Cost of Construction Per Unit'. The page does not define how cost of construction is verified.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $50.00 for the first $1,000.00 + $10.00 × 349 per $1,000.00 over = $3,540.00
- Certificate of Occupancy/Completion: flat fee = $75.00
- Total before trade permits: $3,615.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Work without a permit: when work started without a permit; $870.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Re-inspection feeWhen: re-inspection needed | $50.00 each |
| Scheduled off-hours inspection feeWhen: off-hours inspection requested | $500.00 each |
| Off-hours emergency callWhen: emergency call off hours | $500.00 each |
| Foundation, all others (up to $50,000 foundation cost)When: foundation-only permit, non 1-2 family | $500.00 per unit |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: See Electrical Permit Fees page; not extracted. Plumbing: See Plumbing/Gas Permit Fees page; not extracted. Mechanical: See Mechanical Permit Fees page; not extracted.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Development Services.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 978-674-4144 · City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Second Floor, Room 55, Lowell, MA 01852