Building‑codes director reports 40% year‑to‑date drop in single‑family permits

Building Codes Director Tanya Veil told the Public Works and Planning Committee that permit activity has softened this year. "In July, we issued a total of 270 permits, and 32 of those were single family dwellings," Veil said, adding that single‑family dwelling permits are down roughly 40% for January through July compared with the same period last year.

Veil said permit volumes for additions, remodels and accessory structures remain steady even as single‑family starts decline. She attributed some revenue stability to commercial activity and to timing in when projects are completed and taxed: "We started to pick up... commercial school facilities tax that had been... starting to complete," she said. The director also reported 1,115 inspections in July and $178,420.80 in total building‑permit revenue for the month.

The committee asked whether the trend reflected builders holding existing inventory; Veil said some builders have paused mid‑construction and others are delaying starts. Commissioners requested additional context on local inventory and market signals from planning staff and outside economic sources before deciding on policy responses.