The Regional District of Nanaimo has issued 189 building permit applications in the first quarter of the 2022, up from 141 in the same period in 2021.
The RDN received a total of 210 building permit application in the first three months of the year, still down from 228 the year before. But the value of the construction has gone up from between $40 million to $45 million, significantly higher than last year’s value of just more than $27 million.
The 189 permits that were issued in the first quarter included 51 for new single-family dwellings, 11 secondary suites, 26 alterations and additions. There is one non-residential permit issued and eight commercial permits processed.
The building activity in District 69 is busier this year compared to the first three months last year. Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood) had the highest number of permits issued with 33 this year, up from 17 in 2021.
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Area H (Bowser, Horne Lake, Deep Bay, Qualicum Bay) also experienced a significant increase from 11 last year to 26 in 2022, while Area E (Nanoose Bay) went up to 34 from 22 last year. Area G (Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum, Dashwood) had a modest increase of 25 in the first quarter of 2022 from 20 in 2021.
The RDN staff indicated in the first quarter of 2022, the average approval time for a permit application was approximately 12 weeks. A single-family dwelling permit averaged approximately three weeks, while accessory building takes approximately eight weeks to process.
Staff indicated as they progress deeper into the year, they anticipate a high volume of building permit applications which will impact the average turnaround time to get them processed and approved.
The RDN is actively recruiting certified building officials to fill up to vacant spots but is having little success due to province-wide shortage of qualified candidates.
— NEWS Staff