Building fees are set forth in the Buildings and Building Regulation section of Appendix A- Fee Schedule in the City's Municipal Code. Specific fees are listed there for plan review and plan modification, permit, demolition, inspections, and more.

Permit Fee Estimator (Excel)

The valuation of proposed construction is determined by using the greater of:

• The contract price indicated on the permit application; or
• The square foot value from the International Code Council's Standard Building Valuation Data Table (PDF)

The higher of the numbers is then applied according to the following to obtain the permit fee: 

• Total valuation of $1,000 and less: the fee is $35
• Total valuation of $1,001 to $200,000: the fee is $35 for the first $1,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 or portion thereof, to and including $200,000
• Total valuation of $200,001 to $1 million: $1,030 for the first $200,000 plus $3 for each additional $1,000 or portion thereof, to and including $1 million
• Above $1 million: $3,430 for the first $1,000,000, plus $2 for each additional $1,000 or portion thereof

Additionally, when the valuation of the proposed construction exceeds $1,000, and a plan is required to be submitted, a building plan review fee is required in addition to the building permit fee. The building plan review fee is 25% of the building permit fee, to a maximum of $16,000 (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar). It is paid at the time that the building permit is issued. 

The building plan review fee includes up to two document review sessions. If three or more sessions are required, a plan resubmittal fee in the same amount as the initial building plan review fee will be charged for each subsequent submittal, up to a maximum of $1,000 each time. We will not require this additional fee if we identify new issues with the plans after our comments have gone out to you. 

A single permit will be issued for new construction and major renovation projects. The prime contractor is responsible for providing the name, business license number, and state license number for the plumber, electrician, mechanical and gas piping subcontractors.

The current per square foot values from the Standard Building Valuation Data table from the ICC are as follows for occupancy group R-3, type V-B construction: 

• Heated square foot: $150.87
• Unheated square foot: $60.43

To determine the permit fee for a new single-family detached home with 3,821 heated square feet and 654 unheated square feet:

• 3,821 sf x $150.87 = $576,474.27
• 654 sf x $60.43 = $39,521.22
• Total: $615,995.49

This value or your contract amount, whichever is greater, is applied to the fee schedule in the Code of Ordinances. The calculated permit fee is therefore $2,278.

Typical additional fees

• Building plan review fee, any re-review fees and/or change order fees
• Zoning compliance fee
• Impact fees
• Grading permit fee
• Water meter set fee (if not paid by developer)
• Electrical service fees and underground electric installation fees

The current per square foot values from the Standard Building Valuation Data table from the ICC are as follows for occupancy group M and S-1, Type IIB construction: 

• M (IIB): $155.07
• S-1 (IIB): $114.76

To determine the value for a new commercial building with 24,228 square feet of M occupancy and 10,640 square feet of S-1 occupancy:

• 24,288 sf x $155.07 = $3,766,340.16
• 10,640 sf x $114.76 = $1,221,046.40
• Total Value: $4,987,386.56 (Note: For shell only buildings, the valuation will be reduced by 20%.)

This value or the contract amount, whichever is greater, is applied to the fee schedule in the Code of Ordinances. The calculated permit fee is $11,406.

Any plans that go through residential or commercial plan review, a plan review fee is charged with the permit (25% of the calculated permit fee). 

In this example, the plan review fee would be $2,852 ($11,406 x 25%), bringing the combined plan review and permit fee to $14,258. 

Fire impact fees

Chart in Section 10-548 of Rock Hill Code of Ordinances 

Water and sewer impact fees

Charts in Section 10-525 of Rock Hill Code of Ordinances 

• Water fees (tap and meter fees; fees for the repair and relocation of meter boxes; hydrant test fees; and monthly consumption charges for inside and outside the City limits)
• Sewer fees (connection and consumption fees for inside and outside City limits)
• Water and sewer impact fee charts (the City also has a fire impact fee)
• Sewer basin fees are a one-time charge to cover capacity needs of new or upgraded sewer infrastructure in specific areas. At present, there are six areas with sewer basin fees. 
  • Sewer basin fees (PDF)

Rock Hill Code of Ordinances Appendix A, Chapter 31 (scroll to the end of the appendix)

Includes fees for:

• Civil engineering plan review, encroachment requests and grading permits
• Site plan and subdivision review
• Zoning Board of Appeals applications, Board of Historic Review applications, and rezoning applications
• Temporary sign permits
• Temporary use permits
• Traffic impact analysis review
• Residential driveway/patio review
• Zoning interpretation requests
• Zoning permits for accessory structures and fences that do not require a building permit
• Zoning verification letters
• Short-term rental applications and renewal applications

• Home-based business fees