BuildingPermitCost How Washoe County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $45.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: 50% of the permit fee. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $500 | $45.00 |
| $501 – $2,000 | $45.00 for the first $500 + $3.36 per additional $100 or fraction |
| $2,001 – $25,000 | $95.40 for the first $2,000 + $15.14 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $443.62 for the first $25,000 + $10.90 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $716.12 for the first $50,000 + $7.63 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $1,097.62 for the first $100,000 + $5.93 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $3,469.62 for the first $500,000 + $5.07 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $1,000,001 – $10,000,000 | $6,004.62 for the first $1,000,000 + $3.36 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $10,000,000 | $36,244.62 for the first $10,000,000 + $2.36 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
What counts as project value
Local valuation table. The county calculates project value from its Building Construction Costs per Square Foot table (group x construction type). New single-family dwellings and additions are R-3; R-3 type VB = $94.99/sq ft. Private garages, residential remodels and sunrooms use Utility, miscellaneous (U, VB = $36.91/sq ft). Unfinished basements $25.00/sf. Decks $15/sf, carport/patio cover $20/sf. Incline Village area add 15 percent. If not defined, the applicant provides an estimated value (materials and labor); final valuation set by the Building Official. The calculator applies Table 1 to the entered valuation.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $1,097.62 for the first $100,000.00 + $5.93 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $2,580.12
- Plan review fee: 50% of $2,580.12 = $1,290.06
- Total before trade permits: $3,870.18.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Park Tax (NRS 278.4983): when new residential dwelling unit on an undeveloped lot ($1,000 cap is per dwelling unit); $250.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Regional Road Impact Fee (RTC)When: new development generating trips (new dwellings, commercial) | |
| Building permit renewalWhen: permit renewal | $45.00 plus 10% of original building permit fee and sub fees |
| Inspection outside normal business hoursWhen: after-hours inspection | $135.00 per hour (2 hour minimum) |
| Additional inspection (Article 109)When: additional inspection | $90.00 per hour (1 hour minimum) |
| Inspections with no specific feeWhen: inspection not otherwise priced | $45.00 per hour (1 hour minimum) |
| Additional plan review for changes/revisionsWhen: plan changes, revisions or deferred submittals | $90.00 per hour (half hour minimum) |
| Business license inspectionWhen: business license | $50.00 each |
| Mobile home review and site inspectionWhen: mobile home | $100.00 each |
| Move or alterWhen: move or alter a building | $100.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Mechanical: Table 4: $45 permit issuance fee plus unit fees (e.g. furnace up to 100,000 Btu/h $20, appliance vent $7). Plumbing: Table 5: $45 permit issuance fee plus unit fees (e.g. each fixture $6, water heater $8). Electrical: Table 8: $45 permit issuance fee; new single- and two-family residential buildings $0.04 per sq ft (excluding garages); other residential/alterations $0.03 per sq ft.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Washoe County Building Program (Community Services Department) online through One Regional portal (OneNV).
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 775-328-2003 · 1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno, NV 89512