Building permit activity and building permit construction values in the City of Cranbrook have seen a strong increase in the first six months of 2025, compared to 2024.

In a report to council on Monday, the city’s Engineering and Development Services department shared the comparison between 2025 and 2024 highlighting the increased value also represents a strong diversity of construction investments across several sectors compared to 2024:

The largest single permit construction value comes from the WestUrban Development Ltd. apartment development at 4th Street North with a value of $10.65 million. WestUrban also has another development site on Kootenay Street North that they may look to proceed with in 2025/2026.

From a subdivision perspective, a total of eight subdivisions have been approved in 2025, as well as six additional applications later in 2024 since the last council update. This includes 43 new housing lots in Shadow Mountain as well as a resubmission for another 23 lots in Shadow Mountain from a previously expired application. This Shadow Mountain development activity benefited greatly from the successful completion of the sewer forcemain project.

Other new subdivisions underway include up on 1st Avenue South overlooking Elizabeth Lake, new townhomes going in near St. Mary’s School, and the Southwood Heights development by New Dawn Developments up 4th Avenue South toward the Scandinavian Lodge.

The city is seeing a trend toward smaller lot sizes and smaller dwellings and duplexes that better address the market and housing needs.

These overall numbers are indicators of the strength of the local and regional economy, as well as the growing strength and capacity of the development and construction sector.

“Much of this development activity comes on the heels major policy and bylaw updates that this council has implemented recently to help support development activity, such as the OCP update, the Downtown Revitalization Master Plan, and Housing Needs Assessments,” said Mayor Wayne Price.

“Council has also most recently adopted Revitalization Tax Exemption bylaws for the Downtown area and Victoria Avenue corridor, which we understand is now seeing some strong interest with permit activity and meetings on potential developments, which is great news!”

While the number of active applications and permits have increased moderately, the complexity and magnitude of the projects is increasing significantly, and many more projects are moving forward with funding and construction.

With announcements in place and planning underway for a $232 million F.W. Green Home upgrade, up to $89 million for a potential 3-floor East Kootenay Regional Hospital expansion, and replacement planning for Amy Woodland Elementary School, staff are being challenged to keep pace with the development workload demands in addition to the ongoing policy and strategic planning work taking place.

“We know that this increased development and permit activity has caused some minor increases in permit turnaround times. It is important to recognize that current wait times for building and land use permitting is still very advantageous compared to most similar sized communities, and we continue to work diligently with builders, developers, and other stakeholders to improve communications and permitting processes,” said Mike Matejka, Director, Engineering and Development Services.

Builders and developers are strongly encouraged to meet with city staff and be well informed of policies, processes, and application requirements, as incomplete applications are often the greatest source of delays for project approvals.

City staff will be working on upgrades to the Development Guide in later 2025 to help clarify requirements and be better positioned to work collaboratively on the more complex and higher density projects the city is now seeing.

City staff are proud to be a partner with these significant project investments and look forward to seeing continued investments across for the good of our community.

City of Cranbrook photos

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