The City of Regina has announced a review of its building permit process in the hope of eliminating red tape and reducing the time it takes for approval.
A consultant is being brought in to review the city’s process and has been asked to make recommendations to simplify and streamline permit applications.
“One of the concerns I hear most often from the public is how long they must wait before building permits are approved,” said Regina Mayor Michael Fougere.
Year-over-year residential building permits were down 67 per cent to just 111 in the first quarter.
According to the most recent report on the city’s housing market from the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association, the inventory of unsold and vacant homes in Regina is currently above the 10-year average. The stock of available homes has decreased by 27 per cent since the December 2015 highs, however. Condo apartment buildings are the main source of unsold inventory.
The population of Regina and the surrounding area is expected to hit 266,000 this year, an increase of 1.5 per cent from 2018, with the majority of growth coming from international migration. Between 2018 and 2030, nearly 23,000 new people are expected to move to the region.
