Agriculture generates largest share of local building activity in first quarter of 2018

The Township of Mapleton issued 24 building permits for construction valued at a total of about $3.8 million in March, generating nearly $44,000 in building permit fees.

While down from March 2017 figures - 32 permits, $5.6 million worth of construction and almost $49,000 in fees - the numbers exceed the average over the past three years, states chief building official Patty Wright.

“The three-year average of fees collected by the building department for the month of March is $36,615,” stated Wright in a report to council at the April 10 meeting.

To the end of March, the township has issued 49 permits for just over $7 million worth of construction, compared to 62 permits for construction valued at slightly less than $9.3 million for the same period in 2017.

Agricultural construction was the strongest individual sector in March, with 13 permits issued for construction valued at about $2.9 million.

Additions and renovations to single family dwellings generated the next largest amount of activity, with three permits issued for projects worth a combined $466,500.

Agriculture also accounts for the largest share of year-to-date building activity, with 23 permits issued for $4.4 million worth of construction.

Three permits were issued for single family dwellings, for a combined value of $1.35 million.