Building Permit Fees in Norfolk, VA (2026)

What common projects cost

Kitchen or bath remodel

$25,000 value, remodel 300 sq ft

$152.00

$100.00 building permit + $15.00 application + $35.00 plan review + $2.00 virginia state surcharge (code of virginia 36-137)

Room addition

$75,000 value, addition 400 sq ft

$111.20

$60.00 building permit + $15.00 application + $35.00 plan review + $1.20 virginia state surcharge (code of virginia 36-137)

New single-family home

$350,000 value, new single-family 2,400 sq ft

$417.20

$360.00 building permit + $15.00 application + $35.00 plan review + $7.20 virginia state surcharge (code of virginia 36-137)

How Norfolk calculates your permit fee

The city charges a building permit fee using $0.15 per square foot, plus a $15.00 application fee, with a $50.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: its own fee table. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.

The fee table

Residential new construction (includes additions that increase gross area)

$0.15 per square foot, plus a $15.00 application fee, with a $50.00 minimum.

Residential alterations/repairs

A flat $100.00, plus a $15.00 application fee.

Commercial/other new construction (including additions), alterations and repairs

$0.16 per square foot, plus a $15.00 application fee, with a $50.00 minimum.

Surcharges

Virginia state surcharge (Code of Virginia 36-137): 2% of the permit fee

What counts as project value

Floor area (square feet). Building permit/inspection fees are per square foot (residential $0.15, commercial $0.16); residential alterations/repairs are a flat $100. Plan review is a flat fee by square-foot range. Valuation is not used.

Worked example: a $350,000 new home

Building permit fee: 2,400 sq ft × $0.15 = $360.00
Application fee: fixed = $15.00
Plan review fee: table value for 2,400 sq ft: $35.00 = $35.00
Virginia state surcharge (Code of Virginia 36-137): 2% of $360.00 = $7.20
Total before trade permits: $417.20.

Fees people miss

Fee	Amount
Work begun without a permit administrative feeWhen: work without permit	$150.00 each
Re-inspection feeWhen: re-inspection	$50.00 each
Changes or corrections to the application or approved plansWhen: plan changes	$50.00 each
Certificate of occupancy or compliance (not with a building permit)When: CO not issued with a building permit	$50.00 each
Temporary C.O. (30 days), firstWhen: temporary CO	$100.00 each
Appeal to the Board of Building Code AppealsWhen: appeal	$75.00 each

Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Service: 0-200 A $50, 201-400 A $100, 401-600 A $150, +$25 per 100 A to 1,000 A, +$50 per 100 A above; circuits $3-$150 each by amperage. Mechanical: Per item: $40, $20, $10 or $5 each by equipment type (e.g. A/C equipment, furnace, heat pump $20). Plumbing: $10 per fixture/device/system; $20 per sewer/service line; sewer caps $50.

How to apply

Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
Submit to Department of City Planning, Development Services Center.
Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
Questions: (757) 664-6565

Source record

Effective: 2021-07-01
Verified: 2026-11-04
Issuer: Department of City Planning, Development Services Center
Valuation: Floor area (square feet)
Confidence: high

Building Code Schedule of Fees (effective July 1, 2021)

What this page does not cover (2)

Whether the 2% state surcharge is computed on the permit fee only or also on the $15 processing fee and plan review fee is not stated (modelled on the permit fee)
Schedule dated July 1, 2021 is the one linked by the city; no newer building fee schedule was found

Separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, impact, utility and school fees are usually not included unless they are listed. BuildingPermitCost is not a government permit office, and this is not legal advice.

Report an error · How we verify fees

How Norfolk compares

A $25,000 remodel costs $152.00 in Norfolk: 60% below the national median of $380.00, and the 3rd lowest of 7 places we cover in Virginia (state median $224.40).

A $75,000 addition costs $111.20 in Norfolk: 86% below the national median of $820.58, and the lowest of 5 places we cover in Virginia (state median $418.65).

A $350,000 new home costs $417.20 in Norfolk: 86% below the national median of $2,918.63, and the 3rd lowest of 7 places we cover in Virginia (state median $524.01).

Same standard projects everywhere, including plan review and required surcharges. All Virginia places · Compare side by side

Norfolk permit fee FAQ

How much is a building permit in Norfolk, VA?

A $25,000 remodel: $152.00. A $75,000 addition: $111.20. A $350,000 new single-family: $417.20. These include every fee the schedule applies to that project; trade permits are separate.

Is plan review included in the Norfolk permit fee?

No. Plan review is charged separately at its own fee table.

How does Norfolk determine project value?

Floor area (square feet). Building permit/inspection fees are per square foot (residential $0.15, commercial $0.16); residential alterations/repairs are a flat $100. Plan review is a flat fee by square-foot range. Valuation is not used.

Are electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits included?

No. They are separate permits. Electrical: Service: 0-200 A $50, 201-400 A $100, 401-600 A $150, +$25 per 100 A to 1,000 A, +$50 per 100 A above; circuits $3-$150 each by amperage. Mechanical: Per item: $40, $20, $10 or $5 each by equipment type (e.g. A/C equipment, furnace, heat pump $20). Plumbing: $10 per fixture/device/system; $20 per sewer/service line; sewer caps $50.

When did these Norfolk fees take effect?

The schedule is effective Jul 1, 2021 (“BUILDING CODE SCHEDULE OF FEES (effective July 1, 2021)”). We last checked it against the official source on Nov 4, 2026.