Chesterfield County vs Henrico County Building Permit Fees (2026)
Side-by-side comparison using official fee data from both Virginia counties. For an identical $15,000 deck: Chesterfield County charges $166.28 flat (verified). Henrico County charges $163.20 via a value-based formula (verified). The right county depends on your project type and construction value.
For a $15,000 deck, both counties cost nearly the same: Chesterfield charges $166.28 (flat fee + 2% levy + $50 environmental fee). Henrico charges $163.20 (value-based formula + 2% levy). But the comparison diverges sharply for larger projects. A $30,000 addition costs $456.98 in Chesterfield vs $255.00 in Henrico. A $75,000 addition costs $456.98 in Chesterfield vs $530.40 in Henrico. The crossover point for additions is approximately $63,000 in construction value.
- Chesterfield County uses flat building permit fees by project category - a deck is always $114, a general addition is always $399, regardless of construction value.
- Henrico County uses a value-based formula: $100 + $6 per $1,000 of construction value over $5,000, capped at $680 for residential permits.
- For mid-range projects ($15,000-$62,000 in construction value), Henrico's formula typically produces a lower total than Chesterfield's flat fee plus the $50 environmental engineering fee.
- For high-value additions above approximately $63,000, Chesterfield's capped flat fee ($399 + fees) becomes less expensive than Henrico's growing formula.
- Chesterfield adds a $50 Environmental Engineering site inspection fee for footprint-changing projects (decks, additions, pools). Henrico has no equivalent disclosed fee.
- Both counties collect Virginia's mandatory 2% USBC state levy (Code of VA §36-139). Neither county can waive it.
- Both fee datasets on this page are verified from official current sources - no estimates. Chesterfield from FY2025-2026 PDF; Henrico from the fee page last updated December 2025.
What Is Verified in This Comparison
Unlike some comparisons on this site, both counties' data on this page are verified from official current sources. No estimates are used.
| Data Point | Chesterfield County | Henrico County |
|---|---|---|
| Fee schedule source |
Verified Official PDF, FY2025-2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026) |
Verified Official web page, last updated December 17, 2025 |
| Fee calculation method |
Verified Flat fee by project category |
Verified $100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000, max $680 |
| Plan review fee |
N/A Not listed separately - appears bundled in flat fee |
N/A No separate plan review fee listed on source page |
| USBC state levy (2%) |
Verified Applied to Building Inspection fee only |
Verified Applied to permit fee |
| Environmental Engineering fee |
Verified: $50 Applies to footprint-changing projects |
N/A No equivalent fee disclosed on source page |
| $15,000 deck total | Verified: $166.28 | Verified: $163.20 |
Note on Henrico effective date: The Henrico fee page does not state an explicit fiscal year start date. The page was last updated December 17, 2025. Verify current rates with Henrico Building Construction and Inspections at 804-501-4360 before budgeting or filing.
Fee Structure Comparison
Head-to-head comparison of the fee structure each county applies to residential building permits.
| Fee Component | Chesterfield County | Henrico County |
|---|---|---|
| Fee calculation method | Flat fee by project category | Value-based formula (existing) or flat $680 (new construction) |
| Deck / carport / gazebo permit | $114 flat (any value) | $100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000 |
| General room addition permit | $399 flat (any value) | $100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000 |
| New single-family home permit | $684 flat | $680 flat |
| In-ground pool permit | $57 flat (+ $50 env fee) | $100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000 |
| Maximum residential building permit fee | $684 (new home) - no published cap for additions | $680 (all residential) |
| USBC state levy (2%) | Applied to Building Inspection fee only | Applied to permit fee |
| Environmental Engineering fee | $50 for footprint-changing projects | None disclosed |
| Shed - small (under 256 sq ft) | No permit required | Permit required (formula applies) |
| Shed - 257 to 400 sq ft | $114 flat | Formula applies to declared value |
| Separate plan review fee | Not listed (appears bundled) | Not listed |
| Fee schedule source | Official PDF, FY2025-2026 (current) | Official web page, updated December 2025 |
| $15,000 deck - all-in total | $166.28 Verified | $163.20 Verified |
Three Projects, Two Counties: Line-by-Line Calculations
The comparison reverses at around $63,000 in construction value. Below that, Henrico's formula typically produces a lower total. Above it, Chesterfield's flat fee wins. Pools are an exception - Chesterfield's flat $57 is dramatically lower than Henrico's formula at any typical pool cost.
Example 1: $15,000 Deck Addition
Schedule rate =
$114.00
$114 × 2% =
$2.28
Deck changes footprint =
$50.00
$114 + $2.28 + $50 =
$166.28
Flat base =
$100.00
10 × $6 =
$60.00
$100 + $60 =
$160.00
$160 × 2% =
$3.20
$160 + $3.20 =
$163.20
Example 2: $30,000 Room Addition
Schedule rate =
$399.00
$399 × 2% =
$7.98
Addition changes footprint =
$50.00
$399 + $7.98 + $50 =
$456.98
Flat base =
$100.00
25 × $6 =
$150.00
$100 + $150 =
$250.00
$250 × 2% =
$5.00
$250 + $5 =
$255.00
Example 3: $75,000 Addition (Chesterfield wins above ~$63,000)
Schedule rate =
$399.00
$399 × 2% =
$7.98
$50.00
$456.98
$100.00
70 × $6 =
$420.00
$100 + $420 =
$520.00
$520 × 2% =
$10.40
$520 + $10.40 =
$530.40
| Project | Chesterfield County | Henrico County | Lower Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 deck | $166.28 | $163.20 | Henrico (by $3.08) |
| $30,000 addition | $456.98 | $255.00 | Henrico (by $201.98) |
| $75,000 addition | $456.98 | $530.40 | Chesterfield (by $73.42) |
| In-ground pool (any value) | $108.14 | Formula applies (e.g., $255+ for $30k pool) | Chesterfield (dramatically) |
| New single-family home | $747.68 (bldg permit + levy + env fee) | $693.60 (flat $680 + levy) | Henrico (by $54.08 before trade permits) |
All totals reflect building permit fee + USBC state levy only. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are separate in both counties. Chesterfield totals for footprint-changing projects include the $50 Environmental Engineering fee. Henrico totals do not include any equivalent. Source: official fee schedules for both counties, verified April 2026.
Why Chesterfield and Henrico Have Different Fee Structures
Both counties operate under Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The USBC mandates the 2% state levy (Code of VA §36-139) but leaves the base permit fee method to each jurisdiction. Chesterfield and Henrico have taken structurally opposite approaches.
How Chesterfield Sets Fees
Chesterfield County uses a flat-fee schedule organized by project category. The fee is the same regardless of what the project costs to build. A $5,000 deck and a $75,000 deck both pay $114. This creates a strong advantage for high-value residential projects but a disadvantage for low-value ones where Henrico's $100 base is closer to the actual cost than Chesterfield's flat rates.
Chesterfield also applies a separate $50 Environmental Engineering site inspection fee for projects that change the building footprint. This fee is collected at application alongside the building permit fee and does not carry the USBC levy. It applies to decks, additions, garages, pools, and similar projects - but not to interior renovations.
How Henrico Sets Fees
Henrico County uses a value-based formula for existing residential work: $100 base fee for any project up to $5,000 in construction value, then $6 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, capped at $680. This means the permit fee rises with the project's declared value - slowly at first, then capping well below Chesterfield's flat rates for most addition types once values exceed approximately $63,000.
Henrico's formula has no project-category distinction for most residential work. A deck, an addition, a shed, and a pool all use the same formula (for existing residential properties). New construction is a separate flat $680. There is no disclosed equivalent to Chesterfield's $50 environmental engineering fee on Henrico's permit fee page.
The Crossover Point for Additions
For general additions, the break-even between the two counties is approximately $63,000 in construction value. Below that, Henrico's formula produces a lower combined permit fee. Above it, Chesterfield's flat $399 (plus the $50 env fee and 2% levy) becomes less expensive than Henrico's growing formula. At $75,000, Chesterfield saves approximately $73. At $100,000, Chesterfield's $456.98 is roughly $250 less than Henrico's formula result before the $680 cap kicks in.
For pools specifically, Chesterfield's flat $57 building permit makes it far less expensive than Henrico's value-based formula at any typical pool construction cost ($30,000-$80,000). Even with the $50 environmental fee and 2% levy, Chesterfield's pool permit total of $108.14 compares to Henrico's $255+ at $30,000 construction value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chesterfield County or Henrico County cheaper for building permits?
It depends on your project type and construction value. For decks around $15,000, the difference is negligible - Henrico is $3.08 less. For mid-range additions ($15,000-$62,000), Henrico is meaningfully less expensive. For high-value additions above approximately $63,000, Chesterfield's flat fee produces a lower total. For pools, Chesterfield is dramatically less expensive at any typical construction value.
What is the crossover point where Chesterfield becomes cheaper than Henrico?
For general additions (Chesterfield's $399 flat fee tier), the crossover is approximately $63,000 in construction value. Below that threshold, Henrico's value-based formula produces a lower total. Above it, Chesterfield's capped flat fee is less expensive. For decks (Chesterfield's $114 flat fee tier), the crossover is much lower - around $17,000. At that level, Henrico's formula surpasses Chesterfield's deck permit cost.
Why does Chesterfield charge an extra $50 Environmental Engineering fee?
Chesterfield County's Building Inspection department collects a $50 site inspection fee on behalf of the Environmental Engineering division for projects that change the building footprint. This covers the division's review of site drainage and impervious surface impacts. Henrico County does not disclose an equivalent fee on its permit fee page. If Henrico has similar fees, they may be collected under a different process - verify directly with Henrico Building Inspections at 804-501-4360.
Does Chesterfield have a minimum permit fee?
Yes. Chesterfield County's minimum building permit fee is $57. The minimum applies to demolition, storm damage repair, and other smaller project categories. The deck and shed (257-400 sq ft) tiers are both $114. Henrico County's minimum fee is $100, which covers any existing residential project with construction value up to $5,000.
Are trade permit fees the same in both counties?
No. Chesterfield uses flat trade permit fees by category: electrical new SFD $171, addition $114, replacement $57; plumbing new SFD $228, addition $114, replacement $57; mechanical new or with ductwork $114, replacement $57. Henrico uses the same value-based formula for existing residential trade permits ($100 + $6/$1,000 over $5,000) and flat $100 each for new construction trade permits. For low-value projects, Henrico's trade permit formula produces lower totals. For higher-value existing residential work, the comparison varies by project.
Do both counties require permits for sheds?
This is one of the most important differences. Chesterfield County exempts sheds 256 square feet or under from the permit requirement. Henrico County does not publish an equivalent exemption threshold - its fee page applies the formula to all appurtenances. Verify with Henrico Building Inspections before assuming a small shed is exempt. Chesterfield's shed tiers: no permit (256 sq ft and under), $114 (257-400 sq ft), $285 (over 400 sq ft).
How do I get an official fee quote?
For Chesterfield County: contact Building Inspection at 804-751-4990, email BIPermitsAndFees@chesterfield.gov, or apply through the ELM portal at aca-prod.accela.com/CHESTERFIELD. For Henrico County: contact Building Construction and Inspections at 804-501-4360 or visit henrico.gov/bldg. Only the building department can provide an official determination for your specific project.
Full Data Pages and Tools
Go deeper on either county or use the calculator for your project cost.
Official Sources
-
Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection - Residential Fee Schedule Summary (PDF)
chesterfield.gov/DocumentCenter/View/424/
Basis for all Chesterfield County building permit fees on this page. Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Accessed and verified April 16, 2026. -
Henrico County Department of Building Construction and Inspections - Permit Fees
henrico.gov/bldg/permit-fees/
Basis for all Henrico County building permit fees on this page. Page last updated December 17, 2025. No explicit fiscal year start date stated. Verified April 16, 2026. -
Code of Virginia §36-139 - USBC State Levy (2%)
law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title36/chapter6/section36-139/
Statewide mandate for 2% USBC levy collected by all Virginia jurisdictions on building permits.