BuildingPermitCost How Racine calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using $0.50 per square foot, with a $100.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: $0.17 per square foot (minimum $100.00). Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
New residential (1-2-multi family) and residential additions
$0.50 per square foot, with a $100.00 minimum.
Residential alteration
$14.00 per $1,000 of project value, with a $100.00 minimum.
Commercial / industrial new or addition
$0.50 per square foot, with a $100.00 minimum.
Commercial / industrial alteration
$14.00 per $1,000 of project value, with a $100.00 minimum.
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). New residential, residential additions and commercial new/addition permits are priced per square foot. Alterations are priced per $1,000 of construction value; the schedule does not say how construction value is determined.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: 2,400 sq ft × $0.50 = $1,200.00
- Plan review fee: 2,400 sq ft × $0.17 = $408.00
- Total before trade permits: $1,608.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Wisconsin State Seal: when a Wisconsin State Seal is required for the permit; $35.00 on the standard projects.
- Erosion control, one & two family residential: when the project requires erosion control (soil disturbance); $175.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| HVAC / lighting / structural / energy plan review (if separate)When: separate HVAC, lighting, structural or energy plan review | $0.05 per sq ft |
| Plan revision (to previous plan)When: revised plans | $100.00 per project |
| Erosion control, multi-family / commercial / industrial / publicWhen: multi-family/commercial site disturbance | $300.00 per site |
| Early start permitWhen: early start requested | $300.00 per project |
| Start without permitWhen: work started without permit | double permit fee |
| Re-inspectionWhen: re-inspection required | $100.00 per inspection |
| Roofing (commercial)When: commercial roofing | 0.5% of cost of job |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: See permit applications for permit fees (not in this schedule). Plumbing: See permit applications for permit fees (not in this schedule). Mechanical: A/C and heating $100 per unit; rooftop unit $20 per 50k BTUs (min $100); HVAC distribution $0.05 per sq ft (min $100); hood & duct $150 per unit.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Building Inspection.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.