EBR building permits start year with decrease, but valuation soars

Published Feb 14, 2012 at 3:17 pm (Updated Feb 14, 2012)

Seventy fewer building permits were issued in East Baton Rouge Parish in January compared to the year prior, representing a 4.2% drop, according to a report released today by the city-parish Public Works Department. A total of 1,603 permits were issued on the month. The valuation of the projects receiving a permit, however, was astronomically higher this January—$513,000—up 187% from the roughly $275,500 worth of projects permitted in January 2011. A nearly 12% drop in building permits in December left year-end numbers for 2011 off 3.5% compared to 2010. A total of 21,759 permits were issued in 2011, compared to 22,565 issued in 2010. Valuation of projects permitted in 2011 was $548.5 million, a 22.8% drop from the $710.5 million in projects permitted the year previous.