BuildingPermitCost How Winston-Salem calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using $0.15 per square foot, with a $100.00 minimum. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
Single-family new residential
$0.15 per square foot, with a $100.00 minimum.
Single-family additions
$0.15 per square foot, with a $100.00 minimum.
Single-family alterations/repairs
$0.08 per square foot, with a $100.00 minimum.
Nonresidential construction; non-residential/residential remodels, repairs, demolitions
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $5,000 | $100.00 |
| $5,001 – $50,000 | $100.00 for the first $5,000 + $4.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $232.00 for the first $50,000 + $3.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $388.00 for the first $100,000 + $2.60 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $500,000 | $1,425.00 for the first $500,000 + $2.40 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Added to every matching permit
- Electrical permit (new single-family): $0.09 per square foot (Residential · new construction)
- Plumbing permit (new single-family): $0.09 per square foot (Residential · new construction)
- Mechanical permit (new single-family): $0.09 per square foot (Residential · new construction)
Surcharges
- Homeowner's Recovery Fund fee (G.S. 87-15.6): $10.00
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). New single-family construction, additions and alterations/repairs are priced per square foot of building. Nonresidential construction and non-residential/residential remodels, repairs and demolitions use a value table ($ per $1,000 of value); the schedule does not say how value is determined.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: 2,400 sq ft × $0.15 = $360.00
- Electrical permit (new single-family): 2,400 sq ft × $0.09 = $216.00
- Plumbing permit (new single-family): 2,400 sq ft × $0.09 = $216.00
- Mechanical permit (new single-family): 2,400 sq ft × $0.09 = $216.00
- Homeowner's Recovery Fund fee (G.S. 87-15.6): fixed = $10.00
- Total before trade permits: $1,018.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Electrical/plumbing/mechanical permit, each (single-family alteration): when for each trade included in the alteration; $75.00 on the standard projects.
- Electrical/plumbing/mechanical permit, each (single-family addition): when for each trade included in the addition; $75.00 on the standard projects.
- Gas appliances (new single-family): when house has gas appliances; $100.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Foundation only permit (in addition to building permit)When: foundation-only permit requested | $225.00 each |
| Temporary Certificate of OccupancyWhen: TCO requested | $50.00 each |
| Starting work without permitWhen: work started without permit | double permit fee |
| Extra trip charge (second trip)When: failed inspection | $50.00 each |
| Permit refund fee chargeWhen: refund requested | $75.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: New single-family: $0.09/sq ft. Nonresidential and existing residential: rough outlets 1-50 $24 etc.; minimum $75. Plumbing: New single-family: $0.09/sq ft. Otherwise $10 per fixture etc.; minimum $75. Mechanical: New single-family: $0.09/sq ft. Otherwise schedules I-V (residential $21 per unit); minimum $75.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Planning & Development Services (Inspections).
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: (336) 727-2624 · Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, Suite 328, 100 East First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101