For the second year in a row, Ontario saw a significant increase in residential building permits according to the latest data from Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). In total, more than 122,000 permits were issued across the province in 2021 for both new development and home improvement projects, representing a 15 per cent increase from the year prior.

“COVID-19 restrictions were likely a major factor again, with people focused on their home because they were spending so much more time there,” said Carmelo Lipsi, MPAC Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “In every category of home improvement – additions, renovations, swimming pools, garages, decks and sheds – the numbers were up, in many cases by double digit percentages.”

Notably, the increases in 2020 and 2021 represent a marked shift from previous years, reinforcing the notion that pandemic restrictions were a driver of home improvement decisions. By comparison, in 2019 home improvement permits were up by just 5 per cent with overall building permits increasing marginally by 0.3 per cent. Meanwhile, in 2018 they decreased by 15 per cent

In terms of total building permits, 22,334 were issued across Ontario, with Toronto leading the way with 9,478 (up 28 per cent from 2020). The Township of Severn saw the largest percentage increase of any municipality, jumping 467 per cent in one year.

By category: 

• Residential Home Improvement – 69,488 permits were issued province-wide in 2021, representing an increase of 18 per cent from 2020. Brampton took top place with 7,382, up by 29 per cent from 2020. Severn Township again led in percentage increase, issuing 545 per cent more home improvement permits compared to the year before.
•  Residential Renovations/Additions – 38,399 were issued in 2021, up 19 percent from the previous year.  Brampton was the provincial leader with 7,133 renovation/addition permits,  an increase of 29 per cent.
• Residential Swimming Pools – 9,059 total permits were issued in 2021, up 33 per cent continuing a trend that saw a 53 per cent increase from 2019 to 2020. As in 2020, Ottawa was Ontario’s swimming pool capital, with 1,372 pool permits issued, reresenting a 47 per cent jump.

“This is an interesting trend to watch, to see if it continues once pandemic restrictions have been lifted for good,” Lipsi said. “Many indicators suggest that working from home will be more prevalent than it was pre-pandemic, and we’ll see if that continues to translate to more spending on the home.”

For additional information, visit www.mpac.ca