Builders in unincorporated Lee County pulled 384 permits for new, single-family homes in 2010, including 19 permits in December.  The annual total compares to 331 permits issued in 2009, a 16% increase in home construction.

"This is the first time in the past five years that residential permits increased,” said Mary Gibbs, director of Lee County’s Department of Community Development.  “The last time we saw an annual increase was 2005.”

Overall, the number of permits issued by Lee County Community Development during 2010 was up 25%. Lee County issued a total of 30,481 building permits of all kinds in 2010, compared to 24,374 the previous year.

Compared to the previous year, residential permitting was up in most categories, including additions, 29%; pool enclosures, 25%; and interior remodeling, 14%.  Permitting for multi-family dwelling units was up 17%, from 82 in 2009 to 96 in 2010.

Commercial permitting was down in most categories.  Permits issued for new commercial structures were valued at more than $42.8 million in 2010, including more than $1.4 million in December.  In 2009, commercial permitting was valued at $46.5 million, for an 8% decline. Commercial additions and remodels were valued at nearly $4.9 million, less than half the 2009 value of $11 million.