BuildingPermitCost How Pharr calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using $0.34 per square foot, plus a $20.00 application fee. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
New single-family construction, additions, remodels/alterations
$0.34 per square foot, plus a $20.00 application fee.
Commercial building permits
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $1,000 | $0.00 |
| $1,001 – $50,000 | $20.00 for the first $1,000 + $5.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $260.00 for the first $50,000 + $4.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $460.00 for the first $100,000 + $3.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $500,000 | $1,660.00 for the first $500,000 + $2.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Plus an application fee of $50.00.
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). Residential permits are priced per square foot (Texas HB 852 bars valuation-based residential fees). Commercial permits use a valuation table; the city determines valuation of a building or alteration using the Valuation Data in Exhibit A-1 (per-sq-ft costs by occupancy and construction type).
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: 2,400 sq ft × $0.34 = $816.00
- Application fee: fixed = $20.00
- Total before trade permits: $836.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- After the fact (work without permit): when work started before permit issued; $102.00 on the standard projects.
- Certificate of occupancy, residential (inspection included): when a residential certificate of occupancy is issued (typically new homes); $50.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sewer tap charge, residentialWhen: new sewer tap | $1,100.00 each |
| Water tap charge, 3/4 in meterWhen: new water tap | $900.00 each |
| First reinspectionWhen: reinspection required | $50.00 each |
| Permit extensionWhen: extension requested | 25% of original permit fee |
| Parkland dedication fee, single-family residentialWhen: residential subdivision | $1,250.00 per acre |
| Multi-family building permit (duplex, triplex, 4+ units), new/additions/remodelsWhen: multi-family project | $0.40 per sq ft |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Minimum permit fee $25; circuits or feeders $3.00; change of or increase of service $30; temporary pole $25. Plumbing: Permit $30 plus $6.00 per fixture; gas line $25; water or sewer line $15. Mechanical: $30 for issuing each permit plus tonnage fees: 1-2 tons $20 for the first ton plus $20 additional ton; 2-4 tons $40 + $10/ton; 4-10 tons $60 + $5/ton; over 10 tons $90 + $2/ton.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Building and Code Compliance Department through Building Pharr Permit Portal.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: (956) 402-4000 · 118 S Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577