Construction activity picked up a little bit last year within the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
The RDOS issued a total of 439 building permits worth about $39 million in 2011, up from the 410 permits worth $37.9 million that it approved a year earlier.
By contrast, the City of Penticton issued permits worth $50.9 million in 2012, well over the $29.5 million it racked up in 2011.
“Although it’s not quite a return to 2008 when the regional district enjoyed more than $46 million in new developments and additions, 2012 still brought considerable growth to the region,” RDOS development services manager Donna Butler said in a press release.
The majority of the residential permits last year were issued for the rural areas outside Osoyoos and Oliver, plus Kaleden and Okanagan Falls. Commercial activity was focused in those areas as well.