Building permits for residential and commercial construction shrank by about 9 percent over the year, according to current data from Savannah’s Development Services department.
A total of 124 permits were issued last month compared to 137 in April 2013. Of those permits issued, 48 were for commercial building and 76 residential. Permits are issued for projects including additions, demolition, mobile units, new construction, renovation, fencing and swimming pools.
Of the 76 residential permits issued, 27 were for new homes, the same as April 2013.
The value of these permitted projects totaled $15.3 million, $7.5 million of that was commercial and the other $7.85 million residential.
Cristy Lawrence, Development Services liaison, said they had seen an increase in permits right before the New Year due to changes in the state’s building codes adopted by Savannah on January 1.
“We had a surge right before the end of the year of people who may have been trying to get in under the old codes,” said Lawrence.
Development Services held a seminar in February to get those in the industry up to speed on the new construction and life and safety codes in effect.
Overall, a total of 406 permits have been issued in 2014 so far compared to 540 over the same period in 2013.
Despite the flatter trajectory, the number of permits can fluctuate in any particular month.
“Permits were up in December and January, and they're still putting those homes in the ground as we speak,” said Mark Bouy, president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah.
Speaking at a recent business panel, Lawrence said the valuation of permits had surpassed their pre-recession peak of $312 million in 2008 to $342 million in 2013, a sign of recovery.
The valuation of permits issued so far this year totals $66.1 million.
“Even though it may seem flat, the local and national (HBA) are optimistic about growth for the rest of the year, especially with the rates in good shape and there is a pent up demand for new housing,” said Bouy.
A look at year-over-year building permit data for Savannah.
April 2014 Permits Sum of Valuation
Building (commercial): 48 $18.8 million
Building (residential): 76 $6.9 million
-New (residential): 27 $5.8 million
April 2013 Permits Sum of Valuation
Building (commercial): 50 $18.8 million
Building (residential): 86 $6.9 million
-New (residential): 27 $5.8 million
Source: City of Savannah Development Services