iN NUMBERS: Building permit values spike in Kelowna and Kamloops

If you’re concerned about housing or growth, building permit values are a common way to check on the housing and construction industry. Kelowna and Kamloops had strong years while many other cities in Canada were having a tough time. 

Here are the numbers from Statistics Canada:

• 83.2: Million dollars of building permit value in Kelowna in August 2024.
• 150.7: Million dollars of building permit value in Kelowna in August 2025.
• 81: Per cent increase in value in Kelowna between 2024 and 2025.
• 22: Million dollars in building permit value in Kamloops in August 2024. 
• 50.2: Million dollars in building permit value in Kamloops in August 2025. 
• 127: Per cent increase in building permit value in Kamloops between 2024 and 2025. 
• 5.8: Per cent decrease in building permit value across Canada’s cities between 20224 and 2025.
• 612: Million dollar increase in building permit value in B.C. between July and August, the biggest increase in the country.
• 11.6: Per cent increase in residential building permit value in B.C. from August 2024 to August 2025. 
• 37,305: Housing starts in B.C. in September, down from 46,915 in August.