Big jump locally in building permits issued in 2021

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Stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, area residents poured money into their residences based on the significant jump in the number of building permits taken out in 2021.

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The Municipal Property Assessment Corp. released its annual statistics this week with Windsor and Lakeshore ranking second and third respectively in southwestern Ontario for the number of permits taken out.

Windsor saw a jump of 13 per cent or 162 permits with 1,370 documents issued while Lakeshore had 778 permits, an increase of 130 permits or 30 per cent. London bucked provincial trends by dropping three per cent with 2,391 building permits issued.

“Things are certainly going great and we continue to be busy,” Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain said.

“(Tuesday) night we gave the go ahead for another subdivision along Wallace Line and Patillo Road. It could be really huge.

“It’s a 20 to 40-year project that would be for about 24,000 people.”

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Bain said 2021 ranked right up there with the boom days of the 1990s in Lakeshore. He noted even smaller, more rural communities in Lakeshore, such as Comber and Staples, are seeing new subdivisions being built.

MPAC reported there were more than 122,000 permits issued in Ontario representing an increase of 15 per cent.

“COVID-19 restrictions were likely a major factor again, with people focused on their home because they were spending so much more time there,” said MPAC vice president and chief operating officer Carmelo Lipsi.

“In every category of home improvement – ​​additions, renovations, swimming pools, garages, decks and sheds – the numbers were up, in many cases by double-digit percentages.”

Not surprisingly Amherstburg, one of the province’s most southernly communities, ranked fifth in Ontario for the percentage increase in permits issued for residential pools.

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The 79 pools installed in the town in 2021 were an increase of 119 per cent on the 36 built in 2020.

Residents of Essex were also among the busiest in Ontario in doing home renovations ranking fifth on a percentage increase basis.

There was an increase of 169 per cent in home reno permits issued in 2021 representing 35 projects compared to 13 in 2020.

The year “2021 was our busiest year to date,” said Brent Klundert, vice president of home builder BK Cornerstone.

“We had 70 single-family homes and 30 multiple residences. We’re going to be just as busy in 2022, judging by sales right now.

“A lot of people are unlocking the equity in their homes and doing renovations and additions to make their home serviceable for their family for years to come.”

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Windsor’s chief building officer John Revell described the construction sector as very robust with a pent-up demand remaining in 2022.

“I think the numbers could’ve been even higher but were held down by the difficulty getting some materials,” Revell said. “There’s also been a significant shortage of labour.

“It’s been difficult to get the sub-trades – drywallers, painters, plumbers, electricians. A lot of contractors are looking six months to a year out to line people up.”

Revell said he observed a significant jump in every construction category as Windsorites built sheds, garages, pools, decks and additions.

“It’s generally everything, along with the new-build homes,” Revell said.

“We’re also seeing a rise in additional dwelling units. People are taking advantage of the relaxed regulations on ADUs to create some additional revenue.”

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To keep up with the building boom, municipalities are trying to add staff and going digital to speed up the application process. Towns, such as Lakeshore, have also moved up major infrastructure investments in sewer systems and water treatment plants.

Revell said migration from the GTA, general population growth, a decent economy despite the pandemic and the success of St. Clair College and the University of Windsor in drawing students are key factors in the elevated construction activity.

“The college and university are definitely driving part of this,” Revell said.

“They’re appealing to more international students. Those students are liking the city and want to stay in the area.”

Revell added the announcement of the new battery factory coming to Windsor will only accelerate construction growth in the future.

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