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Do you need a permit for a garage?

Permits for garages are set locally: the city or county building department decides, under the code it has adopted. Below are the official rules and fees we verified, in each department's own words.

Last checked

On this page
  1. What the model code exempts (IRC R105.2)
  2. What cities charge for a garage permit
  3. Before you start
  4. Sources

What the model code exempts (IRC R105.2)

The International Residential Code (IRC) is a model code. It is law only where a state or city adopts it, usually with changes, so the wording below shows how the model reads in published government copies, not the rule where you live.

  • Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58m2)…1 As published by Federal Way, WA (2021 IRC wording, with Washington and local amendments).
  • Other than storm shelters, one story detached accessory structures, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 mm) IRC Residential Code…2 As published by Bluffdale, UT.
  • One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2).3 As published by Warner, NH (2015 IRC).
  • 1. Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area is not greater than 200 square feet (18.58 m2).4 As published by Connecticut (statewide) (2022 CSBC amendments to the 2021 IRC).
  • One-story detached accessory building (10’-0” minimum separation to other structures) provided the floor area does not exceed 800 square feet and provided that the structure complies with the building setback requirements set forth in Title 17 governing zoning and Title 18 governing critical area protection.5 As published by Grays Harbor County, WA (IRC with county amendments, § 15.04.030).

What cities charge for a garage permit

Fee lines as each city’s schedule states them, never added up into a total; how permit fees work explains valuation formulas and minimums.

CityFeeAs the schedule states it
New York City, NYNew building work permit: Garage for not more than three cars accessory to one-, two- or three-family dwelling$1306
Los Angeles, CACombined building-mechanical permit (one- or two-family dwelling, accessory buildings, ADUs)As determined by Table 1-A.17
San Antonio, TXCarport Covers and Decks FeeCarport Covers and Decks Fee $184.008
Jacksonville, FLNew buildings, accessory buildings and additions - BID permit fee per 100 sq ft enclosed area (up to 4th story)Building Inspection Division (BID) permit fee · $6.389
San Jose, CAResidential Express (expedited review) premium fee1.5 x the plan review fee for a Single-Family Residential Addition/Alteration10
Charlotte, NCCity of Charlotte - Urban Forestry Review Residential Single-Lot Tree Preservation (Tier 1)$18011
Columbus, OHAlterations/Accessory Structures (1, 2, and 3 Family)Alterations/Accessory Structures (includes 2 inspections) $38512
Indianapolis, INStructural Permit - Residential: Construction or placement of, or additions to, accessory Class 2 structureApplication $40; Review $150 (≤1,000 sqft) $25 per additional 500 sqft; Issuance $300 (200 - 1000 sqft) $25 per additional 500 sqft13
Indianapolis, INImprovement Location Permit - Residential (ILP): Single-family Accessory Buildings and Additions$32 per application; 10813
Seattle, WABuilding permit (with or without mechanical) – permit fee and plan review feePermit fee 100% of DFI; plan review fee 100% of DFI14
Seattle, WASTFI (subject-to-field-inspection) permit – permit fee and plan review feePermit fee 100% of DFI; plan review fee 40% of DFI14
Nashville, TNBuilding Permit Fees for Residential Construction (one- and two-family, townhouses)1. Building Permit Fees for Residential Construction based on valuation. Residential construction includes one-family and two-family residential construction and townhouses as defined by the 2018 Edition of the International Residential Code, but not multi-family construction shall be $5.00 per $1,000 total valuation.15
Las Vegas, NVCarports, Canopies, Patio Covers, Shade Structures (each) - Custom9 Carports, Canopies, Patio Covers, Shade Structures (each) - Custom $116 $25416
Las Vegas, NVGarage - Private Residential (first 1000 sf)74 Garage - Private Residential (first 1000 sf) $230 $35316
Detroit, MIBuilding/Residential permit, project cost $2,000 or less$2,000 or less Flat $271.4317
Detroit, MIBuilding/Residential permit, over $2,000 but not over $25,000Over $2,000 but not over $25,000 First $2,000 Base $271.43 Per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $2,000 Per $1,000 $34.0917
Detroit, MIBuilding/Residential permit, over $25,000 but not over $100,000Over $25,000 but not over $100,000 First $25,000 Base $1,055.57 Per $1,000 or fraction thereof over $25,000 Per $1,000 $24.5317
Memphis, TNDetached accessory buildings 400 sq ft or lessDETATCHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS 400 SQ. FT. OR LESS $25.0018
Memphis, TNDetached accessory buildings over 400 sq ftDETATCHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS OVER 400 SQ. FT. ($0.07/SQ FT) $50.00 MIN18
Baltimore, MDAccessory structures, 100 sq ft or lessEach structure of 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) or less of gross floor area $2519
Baltimore, MDAccessory structures, over 100 sq ftEach structure over 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) of gross floor area $5019
Milwaukee, WIGarages and accessory structures over 150 sq ftc-1. The fee for garages and other structures of more than 150 square feet in area accessory to one- and 2-family dwellings shall be computed at $0.45 per square foot of area.20
Milwaukee, WIPlan review, garageThe plan review fee for a garage shall be $75.20
Albuquerque, NMAlbuquerque Regional Modifier, one- and two-family dwellings (applied to Table 112-A)(.50)21
Tucson, AZBuilding Permit Fees for New Construction: $1 to $2,000Base fee $89.45 + $0.00 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 1–2000)22
Tucson, AZBuilding Permit Fees for New Construction: $2,000.01 to $25,000Base fee $89.45 + $22.95 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 2000.01–25000)22
Tucson, AZBuilding Permit Fees for New Construction: $25,000.01 to $50,000Base fee $617.30 + $16.83 per additional $1,000 (valuation tier 25000.01–50000)22
Mesa, AZResidential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $0 to$0 to $8,333 $220.0023
Mesa, AZResidential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $8,334 to$8,334 to $16,667 $330.0023
Mesa, AZResidential Rate Table - Building Permit Fee (BPF) for Valuations of: $16,668 to$16,668 to $24,999 $440.0023
Raleigh, NCNew Residential Building PermitNew Residential Construction Building Permit Fee 0.35% 0.38% % Of Calculated Construction Value24
Raleigh, NCZoning Permit Fee - 1&2 Family Dwellings Existing StructuresA Zoning Permit is required for residential development activity. $253.00 $261.00 Per Review24
Colorado Springs, COTable A building permit fee (row $1 to $500)$1 to $500 $50.0025
Colorado Springs, COTable A building permit fee (row $501 to)$501 to $2,000 $50.00 for the first $500 plus $2.00 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,00025
Colorado Springs, COTable A building permit fee (row $2,001 to)$2,001 to $25,000 $80.00 for the first $2,000 plus $8.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,00025
Virginia Beach, VANon-heated residential, new and additions$50.00 plus $4.00 per 100 square feet of area or fraction thereof26
Tulsa, OKCarport permit fee (Section 304)$98.0027
Arlington, TXResidential: Carport & Porte CochereCarport & Porte Cochere* $250.0028
Arlington, TXResidential: Detached GarageDetached Garage* Based on Valuation - Table 128
Aurora, CONew building fee, U (Utility) commercial garages/misc. structures (per sq ft, minimum)U (Utility) Commercial Garages/Misc. $3.40 $2,00029

Before you start

Find your city’s garage rule with the permit checker. What to check before you buy materials (city limits, limits in the rule, zoning and HOA rules) and the order of the steps are in how to get a building permit; what an exemption does not cover is in work exempt from a permit.

Sources

  1. International Residential Code (IRC), Section R105.2City of Federal Way, WA, Community DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Exempt from permit 2023City of Bluffdale, UT, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Work Exempt from Permits, 2015 IRCTown of Warner, NHChecked November 7, 2026
  4. 2022 Connecticut State Building Code (w/ Errata #1)State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services, Office of the State Building InspectorEffective October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Development Assistance Bulletin: International Residential Code Work Exempt from PermitsGrays Harbor County, WA, Planning and Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  6. 2022 NYC Construction Codes, General Administrative Provisions (Admin. Code Title 28), Chapter 1 AdministrationCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  7. SEC. 91.107. FEES. (LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1, Div. 1)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 6, 2026
  8. FY 2027 Development Fee ScheduleCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  9. City Fees (Categorized by Departments)City of Jacksonville, City Fees page (Building Inspection Division - Section 320.409)Checked November 7, 2026
  10. Accessory Buildings & StructuresCity of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE)Last updated April 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  11. FY 2027 Individual Residential Lot Fee Schedule (PDF)City of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  12. 2026 Combined Development Related Fee ScheduleCity of Columbus, Department of Building and Zoning ServicesPublished 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  13. Fee Schedule (as of January 5, 2026) [XLSX]City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesEffective January 5, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  14. 2026 Fee Subtitle and related documents (SMC Chapter 22.900)City of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsEffective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  15. Codes Fee Schedule (Building-Permit-Fee-Scheudle-2025.pdf)Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyPosted December 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  16. City of Las Vegas 2020 Building User Fees (Building & Fee Table)City of Las Vegas, Department of Community Development, Building & Safety DivisionEffective July 1, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  17. City of Detroit BSEED Fee Schedule, Effective January 1, 2024, Modified 7/18/2025City of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)Revised July 18, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  18. 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section FeesMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementPublished 2022Checked November 8, 2026
  19. Section 109. Fees (Building Code)City of Baltimore Law Library (Department of Legislative Reference)Checked November 7, 2026
  20. Milwaukee Code of Ordinances ch. 200, subchapter 5 (Fees)City of Milwaukee, Department of Neighborhood ServicesRevised November 8, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
  21. 2024 City of Albuquerque Uniform Administrative Code (Exhibit A)City of Albuquerque, Planning Department, Building Safety DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  22. Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Adopted Year 1 Fee Schedule, FY27)City of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  23. Schedule of Fees and Charges - Development ServicesCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentRevised July 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  24. Development Fee Guide July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027City of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  25. Fee Schedule - Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (Appendix B: Fee Schedule, 2023 PPRBC)Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD)Effective June 30, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  26. Residential Building Permit FeesCity of Virginia Beach, Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections DivisionRevised July 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  27. Ordinance amending Title 49, Tulsa Revised Ordinances (council item 24-608, as submitted)City of Tulsa, Tulsa City CouncilPublished May 16, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  28. City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective October 1, 2026 (Resolution No. 26-288)City of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  29. Fee Schedule 3 - Permit and Plan Review Fees (Effective 2026)City of Aurora, Development Services DepartmentEffective 2026Checked November 7, 2026