City hall issued 242 building permits worth over $66 million last year, which was the fifth-highest value for construction permits ever issued and 115-per-cent higher than in 2020, data shows.
During the fourth quarter of last year, city hall issued $11.1 million in building permits, compared to $4.1 million during the same time in 2020 and $9.7 million in 2019, said a fourth-quarter report that was presented at the recent city council meeting.
Meanwhile, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, the City of Moose Jaw issued $66.3 million in building permits for residential, commercial/industrial and institutional projects. In comparison, city hall issued $30.4 million in building permits in 2020 and $27.1 million in 2019.
Seeing such high building permit values is good news for the city, said Coun. Heather Eby. She wondered whether certain projects were included in that overall total.
SaskPower’s Great Plains Power Station project will be included in the 2022 building permit values and should boost the numbers for this year, which is exciting, said Michelle Sanson, director of planning and development.
Meanwhile, permits were issued last year for the Canadian Tire project, the port plant renovations, a new hotel and a few other initiatives, so those initiatives contributed to the high total in 2021, she added.
Business licences
City hall issued 42 new business licences in the fourth quarter, renewed 13 licences and closed two licences. In comparison, in 2020, those numbers were 43, seven and four, respectively, and in 2019 those numbers were 37, 12 and five, respectively.
In total last year, city hall issued 216 new business licences, renewed 1,548 and closed 67. In comparison, in 2020, those numbers were 178, 1,693 and 126, respectively, while in 2019, those numbers were 218, 1,744 and 135, respectively.
Bylaw enforcement
During Q4 of 2021, city hall conducted 112 building inspections and engaged in 264 bylaw enforcement inspections.
In comparison, during Q4 2020, those numbers were 168 and 381, respectively, and in Q4 2019, those numbers were 152 and 259, respectively.
From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, city hall conducted a total of 527 building inspections and 1,220 bylaw enforcement inspections.
In comparison, in 2020 those numbers were 752 and 1,815, respectively, and in 2019 those numbers were 725 and 771, respectively.
The next regular city council meeting is Monday, March 14.
