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Fee Information Tool

These pages provide information about development-related fees charged by the City of Sacramento. Annual fees are not included.

The fee details, the applicability of fees, and the fee amounts are reference information only. Fees can change at any time. To verify what fees your project may be subject to, call the Development and Permit Process Hotline 1-916-808-5656.

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Common Projects

See which fees are usually associated with selected common projects.

Other Ways to View Fees

Many fees apply only under certain circumstances. Some fees are fixed amounts, others are calculated based on variables like area or project valuation. Details about how each fee is calculated and when it is charged are available from the fee list pages.

Development Processes

The diagram below represents the cycle of development, the processes that occur within it, and the points at which fees may potentially apply.

Any project located in an Historic District or affecting a listed Historic Structure is subject to Preservation Review. A Preservation Review decision may be appealed. Any project that is in a Design Review District is subject to Design Review, and all new construction city-wide is subject to the New Construction Checklist. A Design Review decision may be appealed. Many Planning Entitlements also require Development Engineering/Finance (DEF) and Utilities Review. Planning Entitlements may be reviewed by the Planning Director, Zoning Administrator, or Planning Commission. The level at which a project is reviewed depends on the type of entitlement, and is specified in the City Code. Most entitlements also require Environmental Review, and many require review by Development Engineering and Utilities. There are additional fees for these reviews. Most Planning Entitlements also require Environmental Review. A project that is not approved by the hearing body to which it is sumitted may appeal the decision. Before a Building Permit application can be accepted, staff will require evidence that no Preservation Review, Design Review, or Planning Entitlement is required, or that these requirements have been satisfied. Some Building projects require On-sites review by Development Engineering/Finance (DEF) and Utilities. A deposit is taken for this review at the time of Building Permit Application. Many fees associated with a Building Permit are paid after application, but before the permit is issued, often when the permit is picked up. Most inspections are covered in the Building Permit fees, but some fees can apply at this point. Some, but not all, Building Permit applications will require an associated submittal of Off-sites plans for Development Engineering/Finance (DEF) and Utilities review. Most DEF plan check/review fees are Full Cost Recovery, which means that an initial deposit is taken at submittal, and the balance is paid at one or more points during the process. Certain fees are triggered by the Final Map process, and must be paid before the map can be recorded. Any balance due associated with Full Cost Recovery fees is paid at Project Resolution. Services such as sewer and water taps are purchased directly from Utilities near the end of the development process. Final Maps are submitted together with associated Improvement Plans. Final Map Projects are subject to both Plan Check/Review fees (for Improvement Plans) and Final Map fees (for processing, approval, and recordation of maps). Most DEF Plan Check/Review fees are Full Cost Recovery, which means that an initial deposit is taken at submittal, and the balance is paid at one or more points during the process. Certain public improvements may need to be completed before a Final Map can be approved. Tentative Maps that have been approved through Planning Entitlement must complete the Final Map Process and be recorded by the County Recorder's Office before sale of land or Building Permit issuance. Lot splits, mergers and adjustments approved through Planning must be approved and recorded as Certificates of Compliance. Any balance due associated with Full Cost Recovery fees is paid at Project Resolution. Most permits are flat fees, paid either at application, or at permit issuance. Most permits are flat fees, paid either at application, or at permit issuance. Any balance due associated with Full Cost Recovery fees is paid at Project Resolution.

There are many different kinds of projects, and many variations to the Development Process. Some projects, especially larger ones, such as subdivisions, or major commercial construction, may follow a more complex path than this diagram represents. On the other hand, many projects are only required to complete one or two of the processes shown here.

The diagram above shows the points within each process where fees are potentially charged - not all projects will pay fees at each point. In some cases, a single fee applies at more than one point.

Please send questions and comments about the City of Sacramento's development fees to FeeInfo@cityofsacramento.org.