Permit Fees

Development Services (DS) operates as a one-stop permit center. Permit fees for new construction projects typically fall into three categories.

1. Building permit fees and building plan review fees
   Examples: Building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, life-safety, excavation
   Source: These fees pay for services including inspection, plan review, and building department administration provided by DS. Development Services is supported almost entirely by fees for building plan reviews and building permits.
   More Information: Development Services Division Fee Schedule
    
2. Systems Development Charges (SDC's) and fees from other departments
   Examples: Streets, storm, sewer, water, parks, fire department fees
   Source: These fees are collected by DS for other departments such as public works, parks and fire.
   More Information: System Development Charges
    
3. External fees
   Examples: School Construction Excise Tax, Affordable Housing Construction Excise Tax, State Surcharge
   Source: These fees are required by state law. DS collects and passes along to external entities like the Corvallis School District and the State Building Codes Division.
   More Information: School District 509J Construction Excise Tax and Claim for Exemption, State of Oregon Permit Surcharge

Other Fees
There are fees for specialty services such as deferred submittals, phased development, temporary occupancy, and others. For a complete list of these specialty services and any related fees, please see our Services page.

Timing
The majority of fees are collected at two points:

1. Permit Application - Plan review fees are due at the time of permit application; and
2. Permit Issuance - Permit fees, SDCs, other department fees, and external fees are due at the time of permit issuance.

Fee Methods
Fees are typically based on the "valuation" of proposed construction, or number of fixtures, or a combination of both. The building permit fee methodology is set by the State Building Codes Division and is the same methodology used throughout Oregon. Actual valuation for each project can be difficult to determine; consequently, the State mandates that jurisdictions must use the higher of either written bid documents, or valuation data from the International Code Council (ICC). As required by Oregon Administrative Rule, the City updates its valuation table annually on April 1 to match the latest version published by the ICC. While the fee methodology is set by the state, the fee rates are set locally. 

How much do permits cost? 

1. Building permit fees and building plan review fees typically cost between 1% and 2% of the overall cost of a project.
2. SDC's and other department fees depend entirely on the size, number of fixtures, and scope of the project. See the chart below for an example of a fee package for a new home, and see our SDC page for additional information.
3. External fees - The school tax is determined by the Corvallis School District and varies from year to year. Current rates can be found on the Corvallis School District’s website at Financial Services - Corvallis School District (csd509j.net). State Building Codes Division surcharges are 12% of all building permit fees.

More Information: Development Services Division Fee Schedule

How can I get an estimate?
If you need a fee estimate, please fill out a Fee Estimate Request form and hand-deliver or email to Development Services (development.services@corvallisoregon.gov). 

SDC Calculator

• SDC Fee Calculator

An SDC estimate can also be obtained by using the Fee Estimate Request form.

Refunds
As a rule of thumb, refunds can be granted for DS fees if DS has not performed the work. For example, when a project is reviewed and permit issued, then later the project is abandoned with no construction having taken place, the plan review fee cannot be refunded because the plan reviews were completed and permit issued. The building permit fees can be refunded up to a percentage because no construction work started. For additional information on refunds and refund requests, please see DS policy POL 1011. Refunds for external fees can only be initiated with the external agency such as the state or school district, as DS does not retain these funds.

Need more information about specific permits?

Visit our Permits page.