Little Rock, AR
Little Rock Building Permit Cost
A City of Little Rock building permit is priced from construction valuation on the ladder in City Code Sec.
8-31(c)(I). Fees start at $30.00 for the first $500 up to $2,000 plus $3.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction thereof to $50,000, then step down: $198.00 + $2.40 per $1,000 to $100,000, $318.00 + $2.10 to $500,000, and $1,158.00 + $1.60 above it. Commercial projects requiring plans also pay a plan-checking fee of one-half the building permit fee (minimum $50.00), and every permit carries a data processing fee of $3–$8 and a $30.00 minimum.
How this fee is calculated
These are the components the schedule defines for this permit, as they applied on 2026-09-28. A component only applies to your project if its conditions match — read that column before assuming a figure. Want a figure for your own project? Estimate this fee with the permit fee calculator.
| Component | Formula | Applies when | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee ($100,001 to $500,000)Permit fee | $318.00 + $2.10 per $1,000 of project valuation above $100,000, or fraction thereof | Project valuation over $100,000 and up to $500,000 | — |
| Building permit fee ($500,001 and up)Permit fee | $1,158.00 + $1.60 per $1,000 of project valuation above $500,000, or fraction thereof | Project valuation over $500,000 | — |
| Building permit fee ($501 to $50,000)Permit fee | $30.00 + $3.50 per $1,000 of project valuation above $2,000, or fraction thereof | Project valuation over $500 and up to $50,000 | — |
| Building permit fee ($50,001 to $100,000)Permit fee | $198.00 + $2.40 per $1,000 of project valuation above $50,000, or fraction thereof | Project valuation over $50,000 and up to $100,000 | — |
| Data processing fee ($3.00)Technology fee | $3.00 flat fee | Project valuation over $500 and up to $50,000 | — |
| Data processing fee ($4.00)Technology fee | $4.00 flat fee | Project valuation over $50,000 and up to $100,000 | — |
| Data processing fee ($6.00)Technology fee | $6.00 flat fee | Project valuation over $100,000 and up to $500,000 | — |
| Data processing fee ($8.00)Technology fee | $8.00 flat fee | Project valuation over $500,000 | — |
| Commercial plan-checking fee (50% of the building permit fee)Plan review | 50% of calculated permit fee | Occupancy is one of commercial, industrial, mixed | min $50.00 |
| Minimum permit fee floor ($30.00)Other fee | the shortfall up to the $30.00 minimum on calculated permit fee | Every permit of this type | — |
A real permit fee is these components added together. The department’s final calculation is the one that applies — this is the schedule it will be based on.
A worked example
Follow the arithmetic by hand. Every line is produced by the engine from the rules above, so the total cannot drift away from the schedule behind it.
Worked example
A commercial tenant build-out in Little Rock with an estimated construction valuation of $220,000, plans submitted for review.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Project valuation | $220,000 |
| Project area | 4,000 sq ft |
| Occupancy class | Commercial |
| Type of work | Alteration |
Example total
$861.00
An estimate, not an official fee. It is calculated from the published fee schedule as it applied on 2026-09-28. The permit office’s own calculation is the one that applies, and your project may fall under rules this schedule does not describe.
Fee schedule as of 2026-09-28Rules applied 4Rules considered 10
| Component | How it is calculated | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Building permit fee ($100,001 to $500,000)Permit feeSec. 8-31(c)(I) Table: $318.00 for the first $100,000 plus $2.10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.Show the working
| $318.00 + $2.10 per $1,000 of project valuation above $100,000, or fraction thereof, in $1,000 steps | $570.00 |
Data processing fee ($6.00)Technology feeSec. 8-31(c)(I)(D): data processing fee, $6.00 for permit valuations of $100,001.00 to $500,000.00. Charged on every trade.Show the working
| $6.00 flat fee | $6.00 |
Commercial plan-checking fee (50% of the building permit fee)Plan reviewSec. 8-31(c)(I)(C): when valuation exceeds $500 and plans are required, a plan-checking fee equal to one-half of the building permit fee; minimum $50.00 for new construction, repairs, remodels and miscellaneous permits requiring plan review.Show the working
| 50% of calculated permit fee | $285.00 |
Minimum permit fee floor ($30.00)Other feeSec. 8-31(c)(I)(B): the minimum fee for any permit shall be $30.00. Charged as the shortfall when the computed fees fall below it.Show the working
| $30.00 minimum on calculated permit fee, less the $570.00 calculated | $0.00 |
| Total | $861.00 |
Fees that do not apply here
Listed so you can see what was considered and left out, rather than wondering whether something is missing. A rule can also be left out because it is not published for this permit at all, and that is stated where it matters.
- Building permit fee ($500,001 and up) — This fee does not apply to the inputs provided.
- Building permit fee ($501 to $50,000) — This fee does not apply to the inputs provided.
- Building permit fee ($50,001 to $100,000) — This fee does not apply to the inputs provided.
- Data processing fee ($3.00) — This fee does not apply to the inputs provided.
- Data processing fee ($4.00) — This fee does not apply to the inputs provided.
- Data processing fee ($8.00) — This fee does not apply to the inputs provided.
Assumptions
- Calculated from 4 fee rules in effect on 2026-09-28.
- Amounts are rounded to the nearest cent, once, at the end of each component.
Sec. 8-31(c)(I) band $100,001–$500,000: $318.00 for the first $100,000 plus $2.10 × 120 whole thousands (fraction rounds up) = $252.00 → permit $570.00. Plan check (commercial, plans required): 50% × $570.00 = $285.00. Data processing fee ($100,001–$500,000 band): $6.00. Total: $861.00.
What is different in Little Rock
Building permits are issued by the Building Codes Division at 700 W. Markham Street and applied for through the City's eTrakit portal. Permits are required for new construction, additions, structural alterations, demolition ($0.08/sq ft of floor area, $30 minimum) and most accessory work. Three targeted neighborhoods — Central High, Downtown and Philander Smith — receive a 75% residential fee reduction as a reinvestment incentive. Unpermitted work triples the fee.
What this figure does not include
Impact fees, utility connections and other departments’ permits are the usual omissions, and in some jurisdictions they are larger than the permit fee itself.
Not included in these figures
This estimate covers the City of Little Rock building permit, plan-checking and data processing fees only. It excludes:
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, which are issued separately.
- Impact, sidewalk and routing assessments charged by other City departments.
- Fire marshal review for suppression systems and tents.
- Water Reclamation Authority tap and capacity charges.
- State and county permits for septic systems and state-managed rights-of-way.
What you need before applying
- Valuation documentation (contract or affidavit)Required
Proper documentation — a copy of the contract or a letter of affidavit from the applicant — must be presented when obtaining permits. Without it, the latest ICC building valuation data chart determines the permit valuation.
- State contractor registration for new dwellingsRequired
Applications for a new dwelling (1–4 units) built for sale must include the applicant's Secretary of State certificate of registration (A.C.A. ch. 17, tit. 47) and a statement that it is in full force.
Common questions
How is a Little Rock building permit fee calculated?
From total construction valuation on the Sec. 8-31(c)(I) ladder. Each band states a base amount for its lower range plus a per-$1,000 rate (or fraction thereof) for the remainder. A $220,000 project, for example, pays $318.00 for the first $100,000 plus $2.10 × 120 = $570.00.
Little Rock City Code Sec. 8-31(c)(I)
What is the minimum building permit fee in Little Rock?
The minimum fee for any permit is $30.00 (Sec. 8-31(c)(I)(B)). Work valued at $500 or less carries no fee unless an inspection is required, in which case $20.00 is charged per inspection — but any permit issued is floored at $30.00.
Little Rock City Code Sec. 8-31(c)(I)(A)–(B)
Does Little Rock charge a plan review fee?
Yes, for commercial work. When valuation exceeds $500 and plans are required, a plan-checking fee equal to one-half of the building permit fee is collected at submission, with a $50.00 minimum for new construction, repairs, remodels and miscellaneous permits. It is nonrefundable and in addition to the permit fee.
Little Rock City Code Sec. 8-31(c)(I)(C)
What is the data processing fee on a Little Rock permit?
A flat $3.00 (valuation $501–$50,000), $4.00 ($50,001–$100,000), $6.00 ($100,001–$500,000) or $8.00 ($500,001 and up), charged on building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits alike. It funds permitting software and staff training.
Little Rock City Code Sec. 8-31(c)(I)(D)
How much does a demolition permit cost in Little Rock?
Demolition of a structure is $0.08 per square foot of floor area with a $30.00 minimum fee. The demolition permit expires one year from issuance.
Little Rock City Code Sec. 8-31(c)(I)(F)
Do targeted neighborhoods get a permit fee discount?
Yes. Residential building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical fees in the Central High, Downtown and Philander Smith Targeted Neighborhood Enhancement Areas are reduced by 75% (rounded to the nearest dollar), but never below the $30.00 minimum.
Little Rock City Code Sec. 8-31(b)
What happens if I build without a permit in Little Rock?
Where work requiring a permit starts before one is obtained, the fee that would have been charged is tripled. Payment of the triple fee does not excuse compliance or other penalties.
Little Rock City Code Sec. 8-31(c)(I)(P)
How long does a Little Rock building permit stay valid?
Permits valued at $50,000 or less expire after one year ($30.00 per 90-day extension); $50,001–$500,000 after two years ($50.00 per extension); above $500,000 after three years ($70.00 per extension). Work not started within six months invalidates the permit.
Little Rock City Code Sec. 8-31(c)(I)(S)
Source and verification
The documents behind every figure on this page, with the dates that make them checkable.
- Municipal codeCityPrimary source
Little Rock City Code, Chapter 8 Art. III, Sec. 8-31 — Building permits and permit fees
Sec. 8-31(c) establishes the permit fee schedules for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other related work. Full text of the published City of Little Rock Building Code (including Sec. 8-31's fee tables) read via the City's WebLink record; a public full-text mirror of the same code (archive.org/details/gov.ar.littlerock.buiding) was used for reading because the WebLink server requires cookie sign-in for scripted access.
Verification
Last verified against the official source in Sep 2026.