Big fall in Ocean Shores permits

This is almost as ugly/disturbing as the dead deer pics: City Planner Alicia Bridges just passed around Building Permit totals at the Planning Commission meeting. In 2008, Ocean Shores issued 118 permits to build single family homes; that’s down 28 percent from 2007’s total of 167. (It was also the lowest single-family home total since at least 2004, when 126 received permits. The City gave out 199 single-family home permits in 2005, and 162 in 2006).Just about every other category (multi-family, residential remodel/repair, garages, etc.) was down, as the City granted 408 permits in 2008, compared to 779 in 2007, a fall-off of nearly half. Miscellaneous permits (clearing, driveway, sewer, etc.) did go up, from 891 in 2007 to 1,002 in 2008.

The City took in just over $438,000 on building permit fees, in 2008. (No dollar figures for just building permits available, for previous years.)

The good news: That’s 118 homes built here (or in process) that weren’t here in 2007. Many cities would be thrilled with that type of growth . . .