City of Cleveland Plan Examination and Permit Fee Schedule
The following is a user-friendly recreation of the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing Plan Examination and Permit Fee Schedule, effective January 2, 2014. Fees are categorized based on whether they are for plan examination, major construction, minor/fixed structures, or administrative actions.
This schedule outlines the fees for obtaining construction permits, categorized by the calculation method and the type of structure involved.
Applicable zoning fees, determined by the project's use and type, must be added to the building fees.
Commercial, Multifamily and Parking Lots
Fee: $150.00
Temporary uses
Fee: $30.00
Signs, Fences and Appurtenant Structures
Fee: $20.00
Residential
Fee: $20.00
The plan examination fee is an upfront, non-refundable charge paid upon submission of plans. It covers the administrative review of documents for code compliance.
It is payable at the time the plans are submitted and is generally based on the floor area in square feet (sf). If plans are revised after the permit is issued, an additional P.E. fee will be charged.
Standard Plan Examination Fee
Fee: $20.00 per 1,000 sq ft or fraction thereof (Per area examined)
Minimum Plan Examination Fee
Fee: $20.00 minimum
Projects under 1,000 sq ft or projects without floor area (e.g., parking lots, signs, roofs, fences)
Site Development Reviews
Fee $200.00
SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) Reviews (Section: 3116.04)
Fee: $500.00
Permit fees for major construction are generally calculated based on the estimated cost of the work.
| One-Family, Two-Family, or Three-Family Dwelling Houses |
New Buildings, Additions, or Parts of the Same Alterations or Repairs |
| Buildings or Structures Regulated by the Ohio Building Code |
New Buildings/Additions/First Tenant Space Build-outs New Buildings/Additions/First Tenant Space Build-outs Alterations or Repairs to Existing Buildings/Structures Alterations or Repairs to Existing Buildings/Structures |
Fees for specific structures, demolition, and temporary uses often involve fixed rates or area-based calculations.
| Miscellaneous Buildings/Structures |
Private garages, tool sheds, residential antennas, and other accessory structures or buildings Fences, guardrails, or barriers for 1, 2, and 3-family dwelling units Fences, guardrails, or barriers for commercial buildings Swimming pools (private/residential) Effective boarding pending repairs or rehabilitation SWPPP inspection (Monthly fee) |
| Demolition or Removal of Building/Structures |
1, 2, and 3 family dwellings or accessory structures (excluding basement/cellar areas) Buildings or structures regulated by Ohio Building Code |
| Moving Buildings/Structures |
1, 2, and 3-family dwellings All other building structures |
| Signs, Marquees, Awnings, and Canopies |
Outdoor Signs and Display Structures Marquees, Awnings and Canopies |
| Temporary Tents |
Size of Tent: 120 sq ft or less Size of Tent: Over 120 sq ft Note: No fee is charged for tents used in conjunction with a funeral service or religious organizations utilizing tents for temporary purposes not to exceed two weeks. |
| Festival and Carnival Permit Fees for Charitable Organizations |
Permits for charitable organizations planning festivals or carnivals, for events of not more than five (5) consecutive days and not more than two (2) carnivals in any calendar year, are subject to the following flat fees. Plan Examination Fee Use Permit Permit for Temporary Tents (maximum per fee schedule 3105.25) |
State of Ohio Surcharges 1, 2, and 3 family dwelling units OBC regulated buildings |
These fixed fees are applied in addition to the main building permit fees.
Certificate of Occupancy (K)
Required for occupancy
Fee: $60.00
Commencing work prior to the issuance of a valid permit presents a significant financial risk. The city imposes punitive late fees designed to deter non-compliance. These fees are calculated as a substantial percentage of the required permit fee and are levied in addition to a base penalty.
The two-tier penalty system for work started before a permit is issued is structured as follows:
Late Fee (L) - Work started prior to permit issuance, notified WITHIN 72 hours
Calculation Method: Minimum fee + percentage of required permit fee
Minimum Fee: $100.00 + 25% of required permit fee
Late Fee (L) - Work started before permit issuance, notified AFTER 72 hours
Calculation Method: Minimum fee + percentage of required permit fee
Minimum Fee: $200.00 + 25% of required permit fee
Note: the minimum fee for any permit (1) or (2) shall be $50.00
- For new construction additions, alterations to existing buildings
Calculation method: for each 1,000 square feet or part thereof - $50.00 - For each item as follows:
- Temporary lighting and/or power installations, or low voltage wiring systems for building service equipment only; such as temperature control wiring of HVAC equipment, or fire alarm system - $50.00
- For the first electrical sign - $50.00
- Add for each additional electric sign installed at the same time - $30.00
- Amusement rides and devices: each - $30.00
- Repairs to existing electrical fixtures and/or systems - $50.00
- Blanket electrical permit for each year for each premises - $200.00
Special Inspections:
- Whenever an inspection has been requested and upon inspection, the work is not found to be ready for inspection or where the address given in the application for permit is faulty or inaccurate, there shall be charged a fee of forty dollars ($40.00) for each such inspection.
- For inspections required outside of regular working hours (special events, witness testing of special equipment, etc.) the fee shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00).
| LATE FEE (for work started prior to permit issuance) | |
| Within 72 hours of notification | Minimum $100.00 + 25% of required permit fee |
| After 72 hours | Minimum $200.00 + 25% of required permit fee |
State of Ohio Surcharges
The State of Ohio Surcharge is applied directly to the calculated permit fee. The percentage varies based on the building classification.
1, 2, and 3 family dwelling units
Surcharge Percentage: 1% State of Ohio surcharge added to the permit fee
OBC regulated buildings
Surcharge Percentage: 3% State of Ohio surcharge added to the permit fee
(effective January 2, 2014)
One, two and three family dwellings: the minimum fee for any permit shall be $50.00
- Repairs, alterations, or extensions of central heating and/or air conditioning systems - $50.00
- Installation of:
- Each central heating and/or air conditioning systems - $50.00
- Each fuel-fired unit heater, space heater, or decorative appliance - $50.00
- Each solid fuel burning device; fireplace, insert, wood burning stove/oven - $50.00
- Fuel-gas piping; for each 100 lineal feet or fraction thereof - $13.00
For buildings and structures as regulated by the Ohio Basic Building Code: the minimum fee for any permit shall be $50.00
Installation of:
- Each central heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning unit (equipment) - $50.00
- Each duct heater or reheat coil - $30.00
- Each fuel-fired unit heater, space heater, or decorative appliance - $30.00
- Steam or hot water radiation devices; each floor or level - $30.00
- Each solid-fuel burning device: fireplace, insert, wood-burning stove/oven - $30.00
- Fuel-gas piping; for each 100 lineal feet or fraction thereof - $13.00
- Installation of duct work, V.A. V. boxes, exhaust fans, exhaust hoods, fire or volume dampers, and other connecting appurtenances: for each $1,000 valuation or fraction thereof of job cost (Material and Labor) - $13.00
Installation of Refrigeration Systems:
- For each new or altered refrigeration system as per following rated ton of refrigeration (1 ton-12,000 B.T.U.):
- Up to 25 tons - $50.00
- Over 25 tons - $100.00
- For each walk-in cooler, freezer or dairy/deli case refrigeration system - $50.00
- Repairs and/or alterations of existing equipment or system - $50.00
| LATE FEES (for work started prior to permit issuance) | |
| Within 72 hours of notification | Minimum $100.00 + 25% of required permit fee |
| After 72 hours | Minimum $200.00 + 25% of required permit fee |
State of Ohio Surcharges
The State of Ohio Surcharge is applied directly to the calculated permit fee. The percentage varies based on the building classification.
1, 2, and 3 family dwelling units
Surcharge Percentage: 1% State of Ohio surcharge added to the permit fee
OBC regulated buildings
Surcharge Percentage: 3% State of Ohio surcharge added to the permit fee
(effective January 2, 2014)
Note: Use (1), (2), and(3)below to calculate fee; the minimum fee for any permit shall be $50.00
- For the installation of each plumbing fixture, application or device such water closets, urinals, bathtubs or showers sinks, drinking fountains, dishwashers, laundry trays, clothes washers, floor drains, roof drains, hot water heating devices, interceptors, sump pumps, air conditioning units, catch basins, area_ drains, manholes and other similar equipment, or fixture - $8.00
- For the installation of piping for plumbing system:
- Gas piping: for each 100 lineal feet or fraction thereof - $13.00
- Drains, waste piping from plumbing fixtures for each lineal feet or fraction thereof - $13.00
- Storm and/or foundation drains/sewers: for each 100 lineal feet or fraction thereof - $13.00
- Sanitary drains/Sewers: for each 100 lineal feet or fraction thereof - $13.00
- Water distribution piping: for each 100 lineal feet or fraction thereof - $13.00
- Connection to potable water line for non-potable uses such as irrigation, fire suppression system, etc. - $13.00
- For the following miscellaneous
- Repairs to existing plumbing fixtures and/or systems - $50.00
| LATE FEE (for work started prior to permit issuance) | |
| Within 72 hours of notification | Minimum $100.00 + 25% of required permit fee |
| After 72 hours | Minimum $200.00 + 25% of required permit fee |
State of Ohio Surcharges
The State of Ohio Surcharge is applied directly to the calculated permit fee. The percentage varies based on the building classification.
1, 2, and 3 family dwelling units
Surcharge Percentage: 1% State of Ohio surcharge added to the permit fee
OBC regulated buildings
Surcharge Percentage: 3% State of Ohio surcharge added to the permit fee
(effective January 2, 2014)