July was a slow month in Prince George for new construction permits, with only half the number of building permits issued by the city last month compared to July 2020 and July 2019, according to a report to city council on Monday.
The City of Prince George issued a total of 30 building permits last month, with a combined value of $3.7 million. That is down significantly from 54 permits worth a combined $32.9 million in July 2020 and 62 permits worth $30 million in 2019.
Five permits for single-family houses ($2 million) and six permits for new mobile homes ($1 million) made up the bulk of the value of the permits issued last month.
However, the numbers for the year up to the end of July look better, Coun. Garth Frizzell said.
“The investment that is going into this community is continuing to grow and grow,” Frizzell said. “You can see it all over.”
As of July 31, the city had issued 299 building permits with a combined value of $130.7 million. In the same period in 2020, the city had issued 285 permits worth $82.7 million.
In the first seven months of 2019, the city had issued 352 permits with a combined value of $117.9 million.
While the number of permits issued this year is down from 2019, the value of those permits is up significantly, Frizzell said.
Compared to 2019, the city has issued fewer permits for new single-family homes (66 vs. 84), but more permits for large, multi-family developments (28 projects worth a combined $67 million, compared to 35 projects worth $11.5 million in 2019).
Regional district on par with 2020
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George issued a total of 45 building permits in July, three more than in July 2020, according to a report going before the board of directors on Thursday.
With July’s numbers, the district is looking at numbers close to 2020 levels. As of July 31, the district had issued a total of 166 permits with a combined value of $22.9 million.
During the same period in 2020, the district had issued 167 permits with a value of $26.1 million.
In the first seven months of 2019, the district issued 189 permits, with a combined value of $15.4 million.
