BuildingPermitCost How Rochester calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $25.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: 65% of the permit fee. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $500 | $25.00 |
| $501 – $2,000 | $25.00 for the first $500 + $2.00 per additional $100 or fraction |
| $2,001 – $25,000 | $55.00 for the first $2,000 + $9.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $262.00 for the first $25,000 + $6.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $424.50 for the first $50,000 + $4.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $649.50 for the first $100,000 + $3.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $2,049.50 for the first $500,000 + $3.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $1,000,000 | $3,549.50 for the first $1,000,000 + $2.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
What counts as project value
Not stated in the schedule. Building permit fees are based on 'Total Valuation'; the schedule does not say how valuation is determined.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $649.50 for the first $100,000.00 + $3.50 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $1,524.50
- Plan review fee: 65% of $1,524.50 = $990.93
- Total before trade permits: $2,515.43.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Zoning certificate fee (residential uses): when a zoning certificate is required for the improvement (Planning and Zoning Division); $141.96 on the standard projects.
- Administrative fee: when the $90 administrative fee listed in the building permit section applies to the permit; $90.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Working without a permit (1st)When: work started without a permit | $100.00 each |
| Re-inspectionsWhen: re-inspection needed | $75.00 per hour, min 1 hour |
| Additional plan reviewWhen: additional plan review needed | $75.00 per hour, min 1 hour |
| Inspections outside normal business hoursWhen: after-hours inspection requested | $75.00 per hour, min 2 hours |
| Residential footing/foundation permitWhen: separate early footing/foundation permit requested | $100.00 each |
| Zoning certificate double feeWhen: construction or remodeling occurred before the zoning certificate was issued | double standard fee |
Trade permits are separate. Plumbing: Trade permits: $25 application fee; permit fee $0 for $1-$500, $10 for $501-$1,000, then $10 per each additional $1,000 of valuation; $90 administrative fee listed. Mechanical: Same trade permit schedule; appliance permits fixed (e.g. furnace & A/C $98.50, furnace only $77.50). Electrical: Not listed in the city schedule.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Community Development, Building Division through Accela Citizen Access.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.