2026 GUIDE • WASHINGTON DC

DC permit filing fee schedule 2026

DC permit filing fees start around $32 in 2026, but the filing fee is only one part of the total — most permits land between $65 for simple trade work and $6,500+ for large renovations once the base permit fee, technology fee, and enhancement fee are added. Here is how the schedule actually stacks up.

The DC Department of Buildings (DOB), formerly DCRA, publishes a fee schedule covering every permit type in the District. Filing fees are small and mostly flat; the real cost driver is the base permit fee, which scales with declared construction value.

DC permit filing fee schedule (2026)

Fee component	Typical 2026 amount
Filing fee (per application)	~$32
Minimum / flat fee tier (low-value work)	$33 – $65
Base permit fee (tiered by declared value)	$148 + ~$10 per extra $1,000
Technology fee	10% of permit fees
Enhancement fee	6% of permit fees
Zoning fee (where review applies)	$0 – $150

Applied to common permit types, that schedule produces rough all-in totals like these:

Permit type	Typical 2026 total
Simple trade permit (electrical, plumbing, mechanical)	$65 – $300
Fence or small accessory permit	$35 – $200
Standard residential building permit	$300 – $1,500
Whole house renovation package	$1,800 – $6,500

What affects the fee

• Declared construction value. The base permit fee scales with it, so this is the number that matters most.
• Permit type. Trade permits carry modest fees; building permits and specialty permits cost more.
• Plan review. Some permit types add plan review charges on top of the base fee.
• Zoning review. A zoning fee applies when the project requires zoning review. See DOB permit timelines for the review side.
• Historic district / expedite. Both add steps and, in the case of expediting, a premium.

How the fee is calculated

The DOB formula is: filing fee plus base permit fee (tiered by construction value) plus a 10% technology fee plus a 6% enhancement fee, with a zoning fee where applicable. The base permit fee runs roughly $148 for the first $1,000 of construction value plus about $10 per additional $1,000, with minimum flat tiers around $33 – $65 for the cheapest work.

Example: a $50,000 project pays about $148 plus roughly $490 — about $638 — in base fees, then $32 filing, about $64 technology, and about $38 enhancement, for roughly $772 total before any plan review or trade permits.

Two details in the schedule catch first-time filers off guard. First, the filing fee is charged per application, not per project, so a job that needs a building permit plus three trade permits pays it four times. Second, the percentage add-ons apply to the permit fees, not just the base line — they stack on every fee the schedule generates. Neither is large on its own, but together they explain why the gap between the headline filing fee and your actual bill can run into hundreds of dollars on a modest project. When you budget, start from declared construction value, apply the tiered base fee, add the filing fee for each application, and then layer the technology and enhancement percentages on top. That sequence mirrors how the schedule is actually applied and keeps your estimate defensible.

Timeline and steps

1. Identify your permit types. Match your scope to the DOB schedule so nothing is missed.
2. Declare construction value accurately. The schedule is applied to this figure.
3. File via CitizenAccess. Pay filing and permit fees at submission.
4. Review and issuance. Standard review runs 4 – 8 weeks for many building permits.

Common mistakes and gotchas

• Reading the filing fee as the total. The $32 filing fee is a fraction of the real cost.
• Forgetting percentage add-ons. The 10% and 6% fees are not optional and apply broadly.
• Assuming one fee covers all trades. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical each carry their own permit fee.
• Budgeting to the dollar. Declared values and scopes shift; leave headroom for plan review and corrections.

FAQ

What is the minimum permit fee in DC?

Simple, low-value permits commonly start around $33 – $65, plus the roughly $32 filing fee and percentage add-ons.

Is the filing fee per person or per project?

It is per application. Projects with multiple permits pay the filing fee for each.

Does the fee schedule change every year?

DC updates its fee tables periodically. Always confirm current amounts with DOB or CitizenAccess before you budget.

Are plan review fees included?

Not always. Some permit types add plan review charges on top of the base permit fee. See whole house renovation costs for the larger picture.

How do I know which value tier applies to me?

Your declared construction value determines the tier. Estimating it accurately with your contractor prevents both over- and under-declaring.

Disclaimer: Figures in this article are 2026 estimates drawn from the DC Department of Buildings fee schedule. Fees change; verify current amounts with DOB or the CitizenAccess portal before filing. This article is informational only and is not legal or financial advice.