BuildingPermitCost How Reading calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $50.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: a flat $100.00. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $250 | $50.00 |
| $251 – $500 | $70.00 |
| $501 – $1,000 | $150.00 |
| Over $1,000 | $150.00 for the first $1,000 + $20.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Surcharges
- Pennsylvania state fee (UCC): $4.50
What counts as project value
Your contract or bid price. Fees are based on the total project cost (labor + materials); the contractor must be selected so the total cost is known. Where several trades are involved, building permit cost = total project cost less the mechanical, electrical and plumbing costs.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $150.00 for the first $1,000.00 + $20.00 × 349 per $1,000.00 over = $7,130.00
- Plan review fee: flat = $100.00
- Pennsylvania state fee (UCC): fixed = $4.50
- Total before trade permits: $7,234.50.
Fees people miss
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dumpster permitWhen: dumpster placed on street | $25.00 per 5 days (30 days = $150) |
| Electrical document processing (administrative)When: electrical permit application with documents | $50.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Interim electrical permit application fee: $54.50 up to $1,000 (incl. state fee), then $20 more for every $5,000; electrical plan review and inspections by third-party agencies; $50 administrative fee for submitted documents. Mechanical: Same project-cost schedule as building permits. Plumbing: Same project-cost schedule as building permits.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Building & Trades Division.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 610-655-6284 · 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA