BuildingPermitCost How Independence calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value. Plan review is a separate charge: a flat $80.00. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
Building permit, residential
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $50,000 | $60.00 + $9.25 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $500,000 | $512.50 for the first $50,000 + $6.25 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $500,000 | $3,325.00 for the first $500,000 + $5.25 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Building permit, commercial
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $50,000 | $90.00 + $12.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $500,000 | $732.50 for the first $50,000 + $7.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $500,000 | $4,220.00 for the first $500,000 + $6.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
What counts as project value
Your contract or bid price. Fees are by 'value of work' / 'total valuation'. The schedule does not say how valuation is determined.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $512.50 for the first $50,000.00 + $6.25 × 300 per $1,000.00 over = $2,387.50
- Plan review fee: flat = $80.00
- Total before trade permits: $2,467.50.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- License Surcharge, single-family: when a new single-family dwelling outside the exempt areas of Western Independence; $1,414.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Use & OccupancyWhen: certificate of use and occupancy issued | $20.00 each |
| 1st reinspectionWhen: reinspection required | $20.00 each |
| 2nd reinspectionWhen: second reinspection required | $40.00 each |
| Residential site improvement plan review (Public Works)When: site improvement plan review required | $30.00 each |
| Erosion control permitWhen: erosion control permit required | $150.00 per acre |
| Right of way permitWhen: work in the right of way | $80.00 each |
| Water tap fee, 3/4 inchWhen: new water tap | $140.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Plumbing, electrical and mechanical by value of work: $0-500 $40; $501-1,000 $50; $1,001-5,000 $65; $5,001 and over $80 for the first $5,000 plus $12.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction. Plumbing: Same value-of-work table as electrical. Mechanical: Same value-of-work table as electrical.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Community Development Department online through the permit portal.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.