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Information Items Item #: 11.a.

Regular Council Meeting

July 2009 Building and Development Permit Summary - Hales

Date:	09/14/2009
Submitted By:	Planning & Infrastructure
Department:	Planning & Infrastructure

Information

Recommendation

That the July 2009 building and development permit summary be accepted as information.

Purpose

To report on building and development activity for the period of July 1 to July 31, 2009.

Background

Building Permits
July 2009 saw a rebound in the level of activity from the previous month with a total of 80 permits worth $6.8 million which was up from 62 permits worth $2.6 million in June 2009. Levels of activity however are around the same level as July 2008 and represent the second highest number of monthly permits for this year. Over 50% of the activity was in the form of residential improvements or alterations, with another 42% for new home construction.

Overall 2009 has seen a lower level of building permit activity compared with the same period in 2008 (412 permits worth $49.7 million in 2008 versus 377 permits worth $35.3 million). This discrepancy is largely accounted for through a decline in housing starts. So far, 2009 has seen a moderate increase in residential improvements and alterations (223) over 2008 (188) which helps to offset the decline in housing starts, and may be attributed to federal tax credits available for home renovations. Levels of commercial, industrial, and institutional activity were also higher in 2008 which contributes to the discrepancy in permit values.

Housing Starts
Housing starts in July 2009 were up from June 2009 (29 starts versus 9 starts). There was a good mix this month between single-family and semi-detached homes. July 2008 was only slightly lower with 25 housing starts. Overall housing starts are down in 2009 compared with 2008 (93 single-family and 19 semi-detached starts versus 120 single-family and 39 semi-detached starts). The proportion of semi-detached units is down from 32% in 2008 to 20% in 2009.

Development Permit Activity
Development permit activity declined slightly in July 2009 with 71 permits compared with 89 in June 2009. The primary discrepancy between the development and building permit activity in July 2009 was in new residential construction; the development permits showed 74 in this category, versus 54 building permits. Development permits in June 2009 were up slightly compared with June 2008. Overall however development permits are down in 2009 compared with the same period in 2008 (364 permits compared with 425). As with the building permits, this is largely accounted for through a decline in new residential construction.

General Conclusions
July 2009 maintained a steady level of permit activity despite the decline in housing starts. The overall decline in the first half of 2009 compared with the same period in 2008 is to be expected considering the economic slowdown and the high-levels of residential construction in previous years. Permit activity demonstrates a healthy level of growth within the community.

Options

Not applicable.

Impacts/Consultation

Not applicable.

Implementation/Communication

Not applicable.

Core Strategies

Fiscal Impact

Attachments

Permit Data, July 2009

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