Newport News, Virginia - City Development Fees
Newport News | Independent city | Hampton Roads peninsula | Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA | FIPS 5154000
Newport News is an independent city on the Virginia Peninsula in Tidewater Virginia, on the James River and Hampton Roads harbor. Its development-side fees come from the codified City Code (Municode, current through Ord. No. 8154-26, March 24, 2026): the Department of Codes Compliance administers building permit fees in Chapter 13 (Section 13-26) and the Planning Department administers zoning application fees in Chapter 45 (rezoning Sec. 45-3404 and conditional use permits Sec. 45-2704). Newport News Waterworks, a city-owned regional water utility, administers water System Development Fees and service installation charges in Chapter 42, and the Department of Engineering administers sanitary sewer connection fees in Chapter 33. The city accepts voluntary proffers in rezoning applications under Chapter 45.
Current Schedule
Newport News City Code is current through Ord. No. 8154-26 (March 24, 2026), with the building permit fee section (Sec. 13-26) last amended by Ord. No. 7932-23 and the water rates and fees section (Sec. 42-33) last amended by Ord. No. 8067-25. Captured line items include building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits, plans review, the State Building Code Academy fee (1.75%), rezoning application fees ($650 base + $150/acre), the Conditional Use Permit fee ($800), the Waterworks System Development Fee by meter size ($2,520 for a 5/8-inch meter, effective July 1, 2016), water service installation fees, and sanitary sewer connection charges updated annually on July 1. Verify current amounts with the City before relying on them.
On this page
Fee Summary
| Fee Type | Status | Top-Line Figure | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building, Plan Review, and Zoning Application Fees | Confirmed | Building permit minimum $55.00; plans review $30.00 to $110.00; rezoning $650.00 base + $150.00/acre; Conditional Use Permit $800.00 | 2023 |
| Utility Tap Fees (Water and Sewer) | Confirmed | Water System Development Fee $2,520.00 for 5/8" meter (scales to $28,980.00 for 2"); water service installation $1,700.00; sewer single-family $4,319.00 + $1,725.00 lateral | 2025 |
| Proffers (Va. Code 15.2-2303) | Confirmed | Voluntary cash and in-kind proffers accepted in rezoning per Sec. 45-3405; no fixed schedule, negotiated per case; proffer statement required on all rezoning applications | 2001 |
| Impact Fees (Va. Code 15.2-2317) | Not administered by this jurisdiction | Newport News does not meet the Va. Code 15.2-2317 high-growth locality threshold (~3.06% growth 2010-2020, below 5%); no impact fee chapter in the City Code | - |
| Special District Fees | Not administered by this jurisdiction | No CDD, SSD, or MUD developer-fee chapter in the City Code; the city-wide stormwater utility fee ($12.25/month per ERU) is not a special assessment district overlay | - |
Building, Plan Review, and Zoning Application Fees - Current Operative Schedule
Source: Newport News Code of Ordinances Chapter 13, Section 13-26 (Fees, permit fees - Prescribed; last amended by Ord. No. 7932-23; SHA-256 e23f212c...) and Chapter 45 (Zoning Ordinance), Sections 45-3404 (rezoning filing fee), 45-3404.1 (deferral), and 45-2704 (conditional use permit filing fee; last amended by Ord. No. 7765-22; SHA-256 355d5077... and c159aa27...). The City Code is current through Ord. No. 8154-26 (March 24, 2026). A State Building Code Academy fee of 1.75% of the building permit charge applies.
Building Permits
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Building permit - minimum fee | $55.00 |
| Building permit - new construction R3/R4/R5 (residential) | construction value × 0.88 × 0.0044 |
| Building permit - new construction (all other occupancies) | construction value × 0.88 × 0.0048 |
| Building permit - alterations/repairs R3/R4/R5 | construction value × 0.0044; minimum $55.00 |
| Building permit - alterations/repairs (all other) | construction value × 0.0048; minimum $55.00 |
| Building permit - demolition >250 sq ft | $100.00 |
| Building permit - demolition ≤250 sq ft | $40.00 |
| Building permit - double fee for work before permit issuance | Double the applicable fee |
| State Building Code Academy fee | 1.75% of building permit charge |
Plans Review
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Plans review - 0 to 2,499 sq ft | $30.00 |
| Plans review - 2,500 to 4,999 sq ft | $55.00 |
| Plans review - 5,000 sq ft and above | $110.00 |
Plumbing Permits
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Plumbing permit - minimum | $55.00 |
| Plumbing permit - per fixture | $10.00 |
| Plumbing permit - water distribution per unit | $15.00 |
| Plumbing permit - waste drain/sewer connection | $15.00 to $30.00 |
| Plumbing permit - gas line | $50.00 |
Electrical Permits
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Electrical permit - minimum | $55.00 |
| Electrical permit - 0-125A single-phase | $55.00 |
| Electrical permit - 0-125A three-phase | $85.00 |
| Electrical permit - 126-150A single-phase | $85.00 |
| Electrical permit - 151-200A single-phase | $110.00 |
| Electrical permit - >200A single-phase | $165.00 + $30.00 per additional 50A |
Mechanical Permits
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mechanical permit - minimum | $55.00 |
| Mechanical permit - R3/R4/R5 installation/repair | value × 0.0044 |
| Mechanical permit - all other installation/repair | value × 0.0048 |
Inspection, Occupancy, and Other Charges
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Reinspection fee | $50.00 |
| Temporary certificate of occupancy - first | $50.00 |
| Temporary certificate of occupancy - second | $200.00 |
| Temporary certificate of occupancy - third and subsequent | $500.00 |
| Fence permit | $40.00 |
| Shed inspection ≤200 sq ft | $35.00 |
| Zoning confirmation letter | $35.00 |
Zoning Application Fees (Chapter 45)
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rezoning application - base fee | $650.00 |
| Rezoning application - acreage fee | $150.00/acre (min 1 acre, max 100 acres); total max $15,650 |
| Rezoning application - deferral processing fee | $400.00 |
| Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application | $800.00 |
Rezoning filing fees are codified in Chapter 45, Section 45-3404 (last amended by Ord. No. 7765-22) and the deferral fee in Section 45-3404.1. The Conditional Use Permit filing fee is codified in Section 45-2704. The nnva.gov Permit Fee Schedule page confirms the plans review fee table.
Utility Tap Fees - Waterworks System Development and Sewer Connection
Source: Newport News Code of Ordinances Chapter 42 (Water Supply), Section 42-23 (System Development Fee) and Section 42-33 (water rates and fees, last amended by Ord. No. 8067-25; SHA-256 565ea626...), and Chapter 33 (Sewers and Sewage Disposal), Section 33-19 (sewer connection charges, updated annually effective July 1; SHA-256 902f57ea...). Water utility fees are administered by Newport News Waterworks, a city-owned regional utility. The System Development Fee for a 5/8-inch meter is $2,520.00 (effective July 1, 2016 per Ord. No. 7266-16), scaled by capacity ratio for larger meters. The nnva.gov Sanitary Sewer Connection Fee page confirms sewer fees are in Chapter 33, Article II, updated annually on July 1.
Water - System Development Fee (SDF) by Meter Size
| Meter Size | System Development Fee |
|---|---|
| 5/8-inch meter (effective July 1, 2016) | $2,520.00 |
| 3/4-inch meter | $2,520.00 × 1.5 = $3,780.00 |
| 1-inch meter | $2,520.00 × 2.5 = $6,300.00 |
| 1.5-inch meter | $2,520.00 × 8.5 = $21,420.00 |
| 2-inch meter | $2,520.00 × 11.5 = $28,980.00 |
Water - Service Installation, Metering, and Account Fees
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Service installation fee (5/8-inch by city forces) | $1,700.00 |
| Service installation fee (3/4-inch) | $1,750.00 |
| Service installation fee (1-inch) | $1,900.00 |
| Meter yoke, box and meter installation (5/8-inch, when service pipeline by certified contractor) | $1,000.00 |
| Advance fee (5/8-inch meter) | $50.00 |
| New account fee | $50.00 |
| Monthly service fee (5/8-inch meter) | $13.00/month |
| Monthly service fee (3/4-inch meter) | $16.45/month |
| Monthly service fee (1-inch meter) | $23.40/month |
Sewer - Connection Charges (Chapter 33, Sec. 33-19)
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Connection charge, single-family (unassessed lot) | $4,319.00 connection + $1,725.00 lateral installation |
| Connection charge, non-single-family frontage-based (unassessed) | $73.64 per linear foot of frontage |
| Flat rate, single-family (assessed lot, within first 12 months) | $429.00 |
| Flat rate, single-family (assessed lot, after 12 months) | $864.00 |
| Flat rate, multifamily | $605.00 per dwelling unit |
| Flat rate, commercial (first lateral) | $864.00 + $605.00 each additional lateral |
| Flat rate, Light Industrial (M1) or Heavy Industrial (M2) | $864.00 |
| Larger/additional lateral (>4 inch or extra lateral) | Actual cost, minimum $1,000.00 |
Proffers - Voluntary Rezoning Conditions
Source: Newport News Code of Ordinances Chapter 45 (Zoning Ordinance), Section 45-3405 (Proffering of application; last amended by Ord. No. 5669-01; SHA-256 355d5077...). Section 45-3403(b) requires all rezoning applications to include either a proffer statement committing to development conditions or a statement declining additional conditions. Virginia Code 15.2-2303 et seq. governs the cash proffer framework for Virginia localities.
| Proffer Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash proffer - amount negotiated per rezoning case | Voluntary; no fixed schedule |
| In-kind proffer - property dedication or improvements | Voluntary; no fixed schedule |
Newport News explicitly accepts voluntary cash and in-kind proffers in rezoning applications. Section 45-3405 provides the mechanism: property owners may proffer reasonable conditions prior to public hearings before the Planning Commission or City Council. Proffer conditions can include dedication of real property or payment of cash; cash proffers must be tied to the city's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) per Virginia law. There is no fixed proffer fee schedule - amounts are negotiated voluntarily per rezoning case. All rezoning applications must include a proffer statement (conditioned or unconditioned) per Sec. 45-3403(b). The $650 base + $150/acre rezoning application fee is separate from and does not constitute a proffer.
Coverage Notes - What This Page Does Not Cover
Per ZoneFee's Partial-Verified Publication Standard, the items below were not closed via confirmed fee amounts on this page. They are disclosed here rather than estimated or omitted silently.
Impact Fees (Va. Code 15.2-2317)
Virginia Code Section 15.2-2317 restricts transportation impact fees to high-growth localities, defined as localities with a population growth rate of 5% or more in the most recent decennial census. Newport News population grew from 180,719 (2010 Census) to 186,247 (2020 Census), a growth rate of approximately 3.06%, which is below the 5% statutory threshold. The complete Newport News Code of Ordinances (Municode, current through Ord. No. 8154-26, March 24, 2026) contains no impact fee, capital-recovery, or system development fee chapter applicable to broad residential or commercial development. The Waterworks system development fee in Chapter 42 is a utility connection fee (captured under utility tap fees above), not a broad development impact fee. Closed-search outcome: not administered by this jurisdiction.
Special District Fees
The Newport News Code of Ordinances (Supplement 80, through Ord. No. 8154-26, March 24, 2026) contains no Community Development District (CDD), Special Service District (SSD), Municipal Utility District (MUD), or developer-facing special assessment chapter; Chapter 45 (Zoning) does not include a special assessment overlay. A search of the nnva.gov sitemap found no active special assessment district page. Newport News does have a city-wide Stormwater Management Service Fee ($12.25/month per ERU, where 1 ERU = 1,777 sq ft impervious area; source: nnva.gov/3045/Fee-for-Property-Types), but this is a city-wide utility fee applied to all properties and billed with real estate tax, not a special assessment district overlay limited to specific development zones. Closed-search outcome: not administered by this jurisdiction.
Fee Authorities
| Authority | Fee Types | Official Website |
|---|---|---|
| City of Newport News - Department of Codes Compliance (building permit fees, Chapter 13) and Planning Department (zoning application fees, Chapter 45) | Building, plan review, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permit fees; rezoning and conditional use permit fees | library.municode.com/va/newport_news (codified City Code) |
| Newport News Waterworks Department (Chapter 42) | Water system development fee; water service installation fee; water meter installation fee | library.municode.com/va/newport_news (codified City Code) |
| City of Newport News - Department of Engineering (Chapter 33) | Sewer connection fee; sewer lateral installation fee | library.municode.com/va/newport_news (codified City Code) |
Sources
Last verified by ZoneFee: 2026-06-25. Fee schedules are subject to change. Verify current rates directly with the City of Newport News Department of Codes Compliance, Planning Department, Newport News Waterworks, and Department of Engineering before relying on this data for any financial decision.
This page reflects fee data sourced from the Newport News Code of Ordinances (Municode, current through Ord. No. 8154-26, March 24, 2026): building permit fees in Chapter 13, Section 13-26 (Ord. No. 7932-23; SHA-256 e23f212c...); water System Development and rates fees in Chapter 42, Sections 42-23 and 42-33 (Ord. No. 8067-25; SHA-256 565ea626...); sewer connection charges in Chapter 33, Section 33-19 (SHA-256 902f57ea...); and zoning application and proffer provisions in Chapter 45, Sections 45-3404, 45-3405, and 45-2704 (SHA-256 355d5077... and c159aa27...), supplemented by the nnva.gov Sanitary Sewer Connection Fee and Stormwater Fee pages (SHA-256 2fd4711a...). ZoneFee does not guarantee that fee amounts are current at the time you read this page. Fee schedules change. Newport News administers no Va. Code 15.2-2317 impact fee (it does not meet the high-growth locality threshold), accepts voluntary proffers under Va. Code 15.2-2303 with no standing cash-proffer schedule, and has no developer-facing special assessment district fee chapter. Verify all current rates directly with the City of Newport News before relying on this data for land acquisition, project budgeting, or any financial decision. This page is for research and due-diligence reference only - it is not legal or financial advice.