Permit cost calculator — instant estimate for any state
Pick a state, pick a permit type, get an itemized cost range and timeline. Estimates pulled from municipal fee schedules, DSIRE, FAA Part 107, and our state-by-state permit guides.
- Permit fee range
- $150 – $400
- Inspection fee
- $75
- Typical contractor
- $800
- Hidden costs (drawings, upgrades)
- $150
Note: AB 1236 caps fees, but plan check often adds $50–$100.
How we calculated this
Sources.Per-state numbers are extracted from municipal fee schedules in our 295 state-by-state guides, plus federal sources (FAA Part 107 for drones, DSIRE for solar interconnection, IRS for tax-related fees). Where a state-level entry isn't available, we fall back to a national average for that vertical.
Cost breakdown. The calculator sums four components: (1) permit fee range, (2) one inspection fee, (3) typical contractor labor, (4) hidden costs (drawings, panel upgrades, neighbor mailings). A 10% buffer is added on top to account for fee variability and AHJ surcharges.
Project size multipliers. Residential = 1×, small commercial = 2×, large commercial = 5×. Multipliers apply to permit, contractor, and hidden costs. Inspection fee is fixed per inspection.
Caveat. These are estimates, not quotes. Actual fees vary by AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction), utility company, project specifics, and seasonal demand. Always confirm with your local building department before budgeting. For non-permit verticals (sports betting, AI in healthcare), cost is regulatory/legal — not municipal — and isn't calculable here.