BuildingPermitCost How Ann Arbor calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, plus a $15.00 application fee, with a $100.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: 20% of the permit fee. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $1,000 | $100.00 |
| $1,001 – $50,000 | $110.00 for the first $1,000 + $10.00 per additional $1,000 |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $550.00 for the first $50,000 + $9.00 per additional $1,000 |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $950.00 for the first $100,000 + $8.50 per additional $1,000 |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $4,100.00 for the first $500,000 + $8.00 per additional $1,000 |
| Over $1,000,000 | $7,600.00 for the first $1,000,000 + $7.50 per additional $1,000 |
Plus an application fee of $15.00.
What counts as project value
Your contract or bid price. Permit fee is 'Based on estimated project cost' (applicant's estimated cost of the work). No ICC/local valuation table is cited.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $950.00 for the first $100,000.00 + $8.50 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $3,075.00
- Application fee: fixed = $15.00
- Plan review fee: 20% of $3,075.00 = $615.00
- Total before trade permits: $3,705.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Zoning Compliance permit: when the project requires a Zoning Compliance permit (listed for building projects on the building fee sheet); $75.00 on the standard projects.
- Trades plan examination fee: when trade (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) plans are examined with the building plans; $17.50 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Contractor registration or re-registrationWhen: contractor registration | $15.00 each |
| Revised plans after approval (substantial changes)When: revised plans submitted after approval | $100.00 minimum |
| Each inspection (extra inspections at Building Official's discretion)When: extra inspections charged | $35.00 each |
| Special or overtime inspectionWhen: special or overtime inspection requested | $130.00 minimum |
| Historic district staff reviewWhen: property located in a historic district | $35.00 each |
| Site Compliance PermitWhen: site compliance permit required | $150.00 each |
| Site Compliance InspectionWhen: site compliance permit required | $60.00 each |
| Certificate of Occupancy, change of occupancy (commercial) / change of useWhen: change of occupancy or use | $170.00 each |
| Temporary Certificate of Occupancy or renewalWhen: temporary CO requested | $30.00 each |
| Vacant building postingWhen: vacant building | $100.00 each |
| Permit reactivationWhen: expired permit reactivated | $35.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Separate Electrical fee sheet (2020) and Fire Alarm sheet (2017); not extracted. Plumbing: Separate Plumbing fee sheet (2017); not extracted. Mechanical: Separate Mechanical (2017) and Fire Suppression sheets; not extracted.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Building, Rental and Inspection Services (Building and Construction Services) online through STREAM.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 734-794-6263 ext. 0 · City Hall, 301 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104