Building permit activity in Clarington throughout 2020 was very strong and is currently maintaining a steady pace in 2021, according to figures released by the municipality.
Last year, 1,350 building permits were issued with a construction value of almost $400 million. The residential sector the strongest, accounting for 87 per cent of total building permits issued.
Building permits issued for commercial units were just 5 per cent of the total, suggesting a booming housing market in the making.
With lifestyle changes due to Covid-19 pandemic, especially the wide acceptability of work from home (WFH) concept, realtors are seeing a move away from over-priced and over-crowded big cities to more cost-effective, cleaner and greener communities like Clarington.
The value of the residential building units permitted last year stood at $304.66 million, up by a whopping 239 per cent against 2019 value of construction at $89.73 million.
Issued Permit Activity
| Building Category | Number of Permits 2019 | Value of Construction 2019 | Number of Permits 2020 | Value of Construction 2020 | % Change of Value 2020-2019 |
| Residential* | 535 | $89,729,141 | 1,170 | $304,665,970 | 239.5% |
| Industrial | 26 | $14,691,070 | 23 | $32,247,815 | 119.5% |
| Government | 5 | $1,973,324 | 9 | $45,299,000 | 2,195.6% |
| Commercial | 54 | $15,670,669 | 65 | $11,781,534 | -24.8% |
| Institutional | 13 | $2,801,850 | 11 | $2,741,213 | -2.2% |
| Agricultural | 15 | $5,457,000 | 14 | $1,630,900 | -70.1% |
| Demolition | 39 | $0 | 58 | $0 | N/A |
| Total | 687 | $130,323,054 | 1,350 | $398,366,432 | 205.7% |
* Residential – refers to the construction and permit activity as a result of new residential dwelling units, accessory structures (detached garage, sheds, etc.) and additions (decks, new additions to a home, etc.).
