EBR building permits have flat start in 2013

At 1,628 total, 25 more building permits were issued in East Baton Rouge Parish during January than were issued during the month in 2012—good enough for a scant increase of 1.6%—according to a new report from the city-parish Public Works Department. Permitting for commercial and residential construction projects, however, was down during the month. A total of 50 permits for commercial projects—40 of them building additions—were issued, down from 58 in January 2012. On the residential side, 99 projects received permits—including 38 single-family homes and 61 additions or remodelings—compared to 123 in January last year. The total valuation of projects permitted in January was down sharply, from approximately $76.7 million in January 2012 to $29.7 million, a 61% decline. The relatively flat opening to 2013 in permitting follows a lackluster close to 2012. About 3,500 fewer projects were permitted in 2012 than were in 2011—at 18,260 total, compared to 21,759 the year previous—a drop of roughly 16%. The annual tally was hampered by a December in which just 1,377 permits were issued, about 11.5% fewer than the 1,556 issued in December 2011. To see the full report, click here.