Virginia Beach, VA Building Permit Fees (2026)
Residential building permit fees from the official City of Virginia Beach Planning Department, Permits and Inspections Division. Three published formulas: heated additions cost $50 plus $7 per 100 sq ft, non-heated additions (decks, garages, sheds, screened porches) cost $50 plus $4 per 100 sq ft, and alterations cost $50 plus $5 per $1,000 of construction value. Virginia's 2% state levy and a $10 technology fee apply to every permit. The published schedule footer is labeled "rev. Jul-2025."
This page covers: Virginia Beach residential building permit fees for one- and two-family dwellings, as published in the official Residential Permit Fees PDF on planning.virginiabeach.gov (footer revision date Jul-2025). Coverage includes the three published base formulas (heated additions, non-heated additions, alterations), plan review fees, Certificate of Occupancy fee, re-inspection fee, the Virginia 2% state levy, the $10 technology fee, and counter-review eligibility rules.
This page does NOT cover: Commercial building permits (calculated under a separate commercial schedule); trade permits for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas, fire, or elevator work (each pulled and priced separately under its own schedule); zoning permits, fence/wall permits, right-of-way permits, sign permits, short-term rental registrations, asbestos permits, or roofing/siding-only permits (each handled by a separate fee sheet on the Permits and Inspections page); waterfront/wetlands or Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area review fees; tap fees from Public Utilities; or fire department inspection fees.
Note on deck classification: The Residential Permit Fees PDF lists three categories - heated, non-heated, and alterations. The Residential Permit Application form lists "Deck" with both a square-footage column and a value column. PermitPrice treats new decks as non-heated additions (sq-ft formula), since that matches Permits and Inspections's standard intake categorization. If your deck is treated by Permits and Inspections during review as a residential alteration on an existing structure, the fee instead becomes $50 + $5 per $1,000 of construction value. This page discloses both interpretations.
Note on counter-review eligibility: Virginia Beach offers $25 counter plan review for residential additions, alterations, and accessory structures up to 500 sq ft (plan set up to 5 pages), and for uncovered decks of any size (plan set up to 5 pages). All other projects use the $100 full plan review with a 3-business-day initial review cycle. The $25 vs $100 split is a real cost driver and is shown in worked examples below.
Virginia Beach residential building permits use three formulas: $50 base plus $7 per 100 sq ft for heated additions, $4 per 100 sq ft for non-heated additions (decks, garages, sheds), or $5 per $1,000 for alterations and pools. Plan review adds $100 standard or $25 at the counter. Virginia's 2% state levy and a $10 technology fee apply to every permit. A 200 sq ft uncovered deck costs $94.16; a 1,200 sq ft heated room addition costs $246.68; a $30,000 in-ground pool costs $314.00.
- Virginia Beach publishes three explicit formulas: heated new/additions ($50 + $7 per 100 sq ft), non-heated new/additions ($50 + $4 per 100 sq ft), and residential alterations ($50 + $5 per $1,000 of construction value, or fraction thereof). The base $50 applies once per permit.
- Plan review is itemized as a separate line: $100 for full review, $25 for counter review (up to 500 sq ft work area or any uncovered deck with plan set under 5 pages), or $25 per revision. This is structurally different from Fairfax County's 50% plan review percentage.
- Virginia Beach charges a $10 flat technology fee on every permit and adds the Virginia 2% USBC state levy on the listed permit fees. Both fees are non-refundable per the city's posted Refund Policy.
- For a 200 sq ft uncovered deck: $58 permit + $1.16 state levy + $25 counter plan review + $10 technology fee = $94.16 total. This is the cheapest deck permit configuration of any DMV jurisdiction PermitPrice has verified.
- For a $30,000 in-ground pool: the application form lists pools with only a Value column, so the alteration formula applies: $50 + (30 x $5) = $200 permit, $4 state levy, $100 plan review, $10 technology fee = $314.00. Pool barriers, pool fences, and pool electrical work require separate permits.
- Re-inspection fee is $75 per visit. Beginning work without a permit triggers a $250 administrative fee in addition to the standard permit fee. Right-of-way work adds $35; water service line and sewer service line are $50 each.
- The Residential Permit Fees PDF carries a footer date of "rev. Jul-2025" and is the current published rate sheet on planning.virginiabeach.gov as of April 24, 2026.
Virginia Beach Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule
Permit fee components from the official Residential Permit Fees PDF (rev. Jul-2025). The 2% Virginia state levy and the $10 technology fee apply to every permit. Source: planning.virginiabeach.gov.
| Fee Category | Formula or Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heated new construction / additions | $50 + $7 per 100 sq ft fraction rounded up |
Heated living area (sunroom, room over garage heated, single-family, townhouse, duplex) |
| Non-heated new / additions | $50 + $4 per 100 sq ft fraction rounded up |
Decks, garages, sheds, screened porches, gazebos, patios, carports |
| Residential alterations | $50 + $5 per $1,000 construction value, fraction up |
Alterations of existing structures; in-ground/above-ground pools, hot tubs, solar, fences, driveways, mobile homes, tents, USTs/ASTs (per application form) |
| Plan review (full) | $100 | Standard plan review; 3 business day initial cycle |
| Plan review (counter) | $25 | Up to 500 sq ft work area (plan set up to 5 pages) or any uncovered deck (plan set up to 5 pages) |
| Plan review revision | $25 | 3 business day revision cycle |
| Certificate of Occupancy | $75 | Residential. Typically included in the building permit fee on new construction. |
| Re-inspection fee | $75 | Per failed inspection |
| Right of way fee | $35 | When work crosses public ROW |
| Water service line | $50 | Public Utilities tap fees billed separately |
| Sewer service line | $50 | Public Utilities tap fees billed separately |
| Tent permit (per tent) | $50 | Each tent |
| Work without permit (admin fee) | $250 | Added to the standard permit fee at after-the-fact filing |
| Virginia state surcharge | 2% of permit fees listed above (added at payment) | |
| Technology fee | $10 flat per permit (non-refundable) | |
Trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas, fire, elevator) are pulled and priced separately under their own application forms and fee sheets, available on the Trades Permits page at planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/trade. Asbestos and roofing/siding-only permits are also handled by separate fee sheets. Source: Residential Permit Fees PDF, footer revision date Jul-2025.
How Virginia Beach Calculates Building Permit Fees
| Step | What Happens | Virginia Beach Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Classify the project | Three categories drive the formula choice: heated living-area construction, non-heated additions, or alterations of existing structures. | The Residential Permit Application has separate line items for each project type with either a Sq. Footage column, a Value column, or both, indicating which formula applies. |
| 2. Apply the $50 base | Every residential building permit includes a $50 base fee, paid once per permit regardless of project size. | The fee table reflects this: a 100 sq ft heated addition costs $57 ($50 base + $7), and a 100 sq ft non-heated addition costs $54 ($50 base + $4). |
| 3. Add the formula increment | Heated: add $7 per 100 sq ft (or fraction). Non-heated: add $4 per 100 sq ft (or fraction). Alterations: add $5 per $1,000 of construction value (or fraction). | For a 200 sq ft uncovered deck (non-heated): $50 + (200/100 x $4) = $58. For a $30,000 in-ground pool (alteration): $50 + (30 x $5) = $200. |
| 4. Add plan review | Plan review is itemized separately: $100 for full review, $25 for counter review on small projects, $25 per revision. | Counter review applies to additions/alterations/accessory structures up to 500 sq ft (plan set up to 5 pages) and any uncovered deck (plan set up to 5 pages). |
| 5. Add the 2% state surcharge | Virginia's mandatory 2% state levy is applied to the listed permit fees at payment. | The Refund Policy states the 2% state levy is non-refundable. The base for the levy equals the permit fee components published on the Residential Permit Fees PDF. |
| 6. Add the $10 technology fee | A flat $10 technology fee is assessed on every permit. | Per the Residential Permit Fees PDF: "A $10.00 Technology Fee is assessed on all permits." Non-refundable per the Refund Policy. |
| 7. Pull trade permits separately if needed | Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas-piping, fire, and elevator permits are separate applications under their own fee sheets and are not included in the residential building permit calculation. | Trade applications are listed at planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/trade. Confirm trade fees with the Permits and Inspections Division before filing. |
Permit Fee at Different Project Sizes (Building Permit Only, Before Plan Review)
| Project Size | Heated Addition | Non-Heated Addition | Alteration ($X value) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft / $1,000 | $57 | $54 | $55 |
| 200 sq ft / $5,000 | $64 | $58 | $75 |
| 400 sq ft / $10,000 | $78 | $66 | $100 |
| 800 sq ft / $15,000 | $106 | $82 | $125 |
| 1,200 sq ft / $30,000 | $134 | $98 | $200 |
| 2,400 sq ft / $100,000 | $218 | $146 | $550 |
Building permit only, before plan review, state levy, and technology fee. Add $25 (counter) or $100 (full plan review), 2% state levy on the permit fee, and a $10 technology fee to get the total. Source: Virginia Beach Residential Permit Fees PDF, rev. Jul-2025, verified April 24, 2026.
Worked Examples
Example 1: 200 sq ft Uncovered Deck (Non-Heated, Counter Review Eligible)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Square-footage increment (non-heated) | 200 / 100 x $4 | $8.00 |
| Building permit fee | $50 + $8 | $58.00 |
| Counter plan review | $25 (any uncovered deck, plan set up to 5 pages) | $25.00 |
| Virginia 2% state surcharge | $58 x 2% | $1.16 |
| Technology fee | $10 flat per permit | $10.00 |
| Total - Building Permit Only | $58 + $25 + $1.16 + $10 | $94.16 |
Note: The $94.16 is the building permit only. If the deck includes lighting or a connected outlet, an electrical permit is required and is priced under a separate trade-permit fee sheet. The "uncovered decks of any size" counter-review eligibility applies only to plan sets of 5 pages or fewer; larger plan sets shift to the $100 full plan review. Source: Virginia Beach Residential Permit Fees PDF, rev. Jul-2025.
Example 2: 1,200 sq ft Heated Room Addition (Online Submission, Full Plan Review)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Square-footage increment (heated) | 1,200 / 100 x $7 | $84.00 |
| Building permit fee | $50 + $84 | $134.00 |
| Full plan review | $100 (over 500 sq ft work area) | $100.00 |
| Virginia 2% state surcharge | $134 x 2% | $2.68 |
| Technology fee | $10 flat per permit | $10.00 |
| Total - Building Permit Only | $134 + $100 + $2.68 + $10 | $246.68 |
Note: The 1,200 sq ft addition exceeds the 500 sq ft counter-review threshold and uses the $100 full plan review. Trade permits (electrical for the new circuits, mechanical for HVAC extension, plumbing if a bathroom is added) are pulled separately and priced under their own fee sheets. Source: Virginia Beach Residential Permit Fees PDF, rev. Jul-2025.
Example 3: $30,000 In-Ground Pool (Alteration Formula)
| Fee Component | Rule Applied | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Value-based increment (alteration) | $30,000 / $1,000 x $5 | $150.00 |
| Building permit fee | $50 + $150 | $200.00 |
| Full plan review | $100 (in-ground pool, online submission) | $100.00 |
| Virginia 2% state surcharge | $200 x 2% | $4.00 |
| Technology fee | $10 flat per permit | $10.00 |
| Total - Building Permit Only | $200 + $100 + $4 + $10 | $314.00 |
Note: The Virginia Beach Residential Permit Application lists "In-Ground Pool" with only a Value column, so the alteration formula applies. Pool barriers are required by the Virginia Construction Code; the application form lists "Pool Fence" as a separate value-based item. Pool electrical work requires a separate electrical trade permit. Plan review can shift to counter ($25) only if the work area is 500 sq ft or less and the plan set is 5 pages or fewer; in-ground pools typically require online submission. Source: Virginia Beach Residential Permit Fees PDF, rev. Jul-2025, and Residential Permit Application form.
Practitioner Insight
Virginia Beach is the lowest-fee large jurisdiction PermitPrice has verified in the Hampton Roads region, and one of the lowest in Virginia overall. A 200 sq ft uncovered deck costs $94.16 here including all surcharges - compared to $166.28 in Chesterfield County, $163.20 in Henrico County, and $144.75 in Richmond City for a $15,000-value deck. The structural reason is the small base fee ($50) combined with a per-100-sq-ft rate of only $4 for non-heated structures, and a separately itemized plan review that can drop to $25 at the counter. For uncovered decks of any size, that counter-review eligibility is the single biggest cost driver - it saves $75 compared to the full $100 plan review.
One nuance specific to Virginia Beach: the application form distinguishes between square-footage-based projects (decks, garages, sheds, screened porches, sunrooms) and value-based projects (in-ground pools, hot tubs, driveways, fences, mobile homes). The fee math is genuinely different for the two paths. For a deck, more sq ft means a higher fee at $4 per 100 sq ft. For a pool, more declared value means a higher fee at $5 per $1,000. A pool quoted at $30,000 produces a $200 building permit; if you instead reported the same project as a 600 sq ft non-heated structure ($74), you would underpay - but the form requires you to use the column shown for that project type. Match the application form classification to avoid a permit-fee true-up during review.
Permit Requirements - Common Residential Projects in Virginia Beach
| Project Type | Permit Required? | Formula Used | Counter Review? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncovered deck (any size) | Yes | Non-heated: $50 + $4/100 sq ft | Yes (any size, plan set up to 5 pages) |
| Screened porch addition | Yes | Non-heated: $50 + $4/100 sq ft | Yes if 500 sq ft or less and plan set under 5 pages |
| Heated room addition / sunroom | Yes | Heated: $50 + $7/100 sq ft | Yes if 500 sq ft or less and plan set under 5 pages |
| Garage (attached or detached) | Yes | Non-heated: $50 + $4/100 sq ft (heated if conditioned) | Yes if 500 sq ft or less and plan set under 5 pages |
| Shed / detached storage | Required if over 256 sq ft | Non-heated: $50 + $4/100 sq ft | Yes for accessory structures up to 500 sq ft |
| Interior alteration / renovation | Yes | Alteration: $50 + $5/$1,000 | Yes if 500 sq ft work area or less |
| In-ground pool | Yes | Alteration formula (Value column on application) | No (separate inspections required) |
| Above-ground pool | Yes if holding 24 inches of water or more | Alteration formula (Value column on application) | Verify with Permits and Inspections |
| Hot tub / spa | Yes if holding 24 inches of water or more | Alteration formula (Value column on application) | Verify with Permits and Inspections |
| Driveway / driveway apron | Yes | Alteration formula (Value column on application) | Verify with Permits and Inspections |
| Pool fence / barrier | Yes | Alteration formula (Value column on application) | Verify with Permits and Inspections |
| Fence (general) | Separate Fence/Wall Permit | Separate fee sheet (not in residential PDF) | n/a - separate process |
| Roofing or siding only | Yes | Separate Roofing & Siding fee sheet | n/a - separate process |
| HVAC replacement | Mechanical permit | Separate trade fee sheet | n/a - trade permit |
| Electrical service upgrade | Electrical permit | Separate trade fee sheet | n/a - trade permit |
| New single-family home | Yes | Heated: $50 + $7/100 sq ft | No (online submission required) |
Shed thresholds, above-ground pool thresholds, and detached structures in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area or Southern Watershed Area may have additional requirements. Contact the Permits and Inspections Division at (757) 385-4211 or perminsp@vbgov.com before beginning small accessory-structure work to confirm current permit thresholds.
Virginia Beach Permits and Inspections Division
City of Virginia Beach Planning Department
Permits and Inspections Division
(757) 385-4211
Permits and Inspections main line
PermInsp@vbgov.com
Permits and Inspections email
2403 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Counter hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Accela Citizen Access (CVB)
Online application, inspection scheduling, status lookup. Initial review: 3 business days. Revisions: 3 business days.
When This Estimate May Not Apply
Project classification can change the formula
The same physical project can land in different categories depending on how Permits and Inspections classifies it on intake. A new deck attached to an existing house is a non-heated addition (sq-ft formula) for most filings, but a deck classified as a residential alteration on an existing structure could fall under the value-based formula. Match the column shown on the Residential Permit Application form for your project type.
Counter-review eligibility is plan-set-dependent
The $25 counter plan review applies to additions/alterations/accessory structures up to 500 sq ft AND plan sets up to 5 pages, OR to uncovered decks of any size with plan sets up to 5 pages. Larger plan sets shift the project to online submission with the $100 full plan review fee. The plan-set page count is a separate threshold from project size.
Trade permits are separate
Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas-piping, fire, and elevator permits are separate applications under their own fee sheets at planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/trade. They are NOT included in the residential building permit fee. A typical room addition with electrical and HVAC needs the building permit plus an electrical permit plus a mechanical permit, each carrying its own state levy and technology fee.
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area and Southern Watershed Area
Structures within the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) or Southern Watershed Area may require additional permits regardless of size. The Residential Permit Fees PDF does not itemize CBPA or stormwater review fees - those are administered by the Land Development division. Contact Permits and Inspections to confirm whether your parcel triggers either review.
Roofing, siding, asbestos, and fence permits use separate fee sheets
Virginia Beach publishes separate fee sheets for roofing & siding only permits, asbestos abatement, and fence/wall permits. None of those rates appear in the Residential Permit Fees PDF used for this page. If your project is one of those scopes, pull the relevant fee sheet from the Permits page or call Permits and Inspections.
Work without permit penalty
Beginning work without a permit triggers a $250 administrative fee in addition to the standard permit fee. If a re-inspection is required, the re-inspection fee is $75 per visit. Budget the $250 floor and plan for at least one re-inspection if working under a stop-work order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
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Residential Building Permit Fees - City of Virginia Beach Permits and Inspections rev. Jul-2025 - City of Virginia Beach Planning Department - Primary source for the three published fee formulas, plan review rates, Certificate of Occupancy fee, re-inspection fee, technology fee, and the 2% Virginia state levy disclosure - Extracted via pdfplumber and verified April 24, 2026 Verified
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Residential Building Permits - City of Virginia Beach Planning Department Accessed April 24, 2026 - City of Virginia Beach - Primary source for project categorization, permit-required project list, counter-review eligibility rules, and required residential inspections
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Code of Virginia Section 36-139 - USBC State Levy Authority Current - Virginia General Assembly - Authorizing statute for the statewide 2% building permit surcharge applied in Virginia jurisdictions
Compare Virginia Beach side-by-side against Norfolk, calculate your specific project cost, or browse other Hampton Roads and DMV jurisdictions.
Permit Fees Are One Part of Your Project Budget
Once you know your Virginia Beach permit cost, two related numbers complete your total budget picture:
Property tax impact after your project closes
A permitted addition or major renovation can change your assessed value in Virginia Beach. See how each Virginia jurisdiction calculates the ongoing property tax impact at CountyTaxTools.com.
Zoning, stormwater, and Public Utilities fees
Zoning permits, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area review, stormwater plans, and Public Utilities tap fees can add meaningful cost to additions, teardowns, and new construction in Virginia Beach. Research them at ZoneFee.com.