How Much Does a Building Permit Cost in Sacramento, California?
Every amount on this page is quoted from Sacramento’s own published fee schedule, with the source document linked under each section. 8 permit types on file, 8 verified against the source as of 2026-08-07.
Permit fees are only part of the cost: most jurisdictions add a plan review fee, and many add state or county surcharges, technology fees, and impact or utility connection fees that dwarf the permit itself on larger projects. Check the notes in each section.
Building permit fees
Deck permit fees
Reroof permit fees
Shed permit fees
Fence permit fees
Retaining wall permit fees
Electrical permit fees
Water heater permit fees
How permit fees are usually calculated
Most jurisdictions price a building permit one of three ways. Valuation-based schedules (the most common) run the declared value of the work through a table — a base amount for the first $2,000 of value plus an increment per additional $1,000 — so the fee scales with the job. Flat-fee schedules charge a set amount per permit type, common for sheds, fences, water heaters and re-roofs. Square-footage or fixture-count schedules price by area or by the number of fixtures, outlets or appliances, and show up most often in mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits.
A plan review fee is usually added on top, typically a percentage of the permit fee (often 50–65% residential) or a flat amount, and it is charged whether or not the permit is ultimately issued. Expect additional line items for state surcharges, technology or records fees, reinspection (charged when work fails an inspection), after-hours inspection, and permit extensions or renewals.
The largest surprises are usually not permit fees at all: impact fees, utility connection or tap fees, and school or park dedication fees apply to new construction and additions in many jurisdictions and are assessed separately from the building permit.