Plano is about to get pricier for developers. Starting January 2026, fees for planning, engineering and building services will rise as part of the city’s cost recovery plan.

​​The increases cover permit requests, zoning, engineering reviews, inspections and other services. Some fees are seeing modest increases, but others are jumping dramatically — in some cases by more than 1,200%. For example, the fee to appeal a denied zoning petition to the city council is rising to $1,500, up from $110 plus $5 per notice. Engineering inspection fees are also doubling, from $1 per linear foot to $2. A few charges, such as the traffic impact analysis fee, are actually being reduced slightly.

According to the city of Plano, these fees are not expected the impact amount of new builds coming to the city. “The amounts are not believed to be enough to deter development,” a spokesperson for the city told Local Profile.

City Council Approves Fee Increases

The proposed fee increases were approved by the Plano City Council on Nov. 10. For fiscal year 2025–26, each department is expected to see a boost in revenue:


Engineering Department: $797,094
Planning Department: $445,495
Building Inspections Department: $278,372

Residents Also Feeling The Pinch

Developers aren’t the only ones affected. Earlier this year, the council approved higher fees for parks and recreation services, impacting pool rentals, tennis courts and daily recreation center admissions. Daily resident fees for recreation centers went from around $4-$7 depending on age and type.

Many of these fees hadn’t changed in years, some dating back as far as 2008. City projections estimate the new structure will generate $699,537 for the general fund and $314,445 for the recreation revolving fund in the 2024–25 fiscal year. 

A Policy To Balance Costs And Access

The fee increases follow the adoption of a cost recovery policy on Feb. 24, 2025. The policy aims to ensure that the city recoups a fair portion of expenses related to its parks, facilities and recreational services while maintaining access for residents. 

According to the city, the adjustments align with internal budgeting guidelines and cost analysis procedures, providing a more consistent and fiscally responsible approach to service pricing.

What This Means Going Forward

For developers, the message is clear: building in Plano will come with a higher price tag. For residents, the city says the updated fees are intended to sustain quality services while keeping them accessible.

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