The number and value of building permits issued in Bismarck-Mandan increased in 2020, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Bismarck issued 244 permits for single-family homes in 2020, which is up from 185 the year before. Last year's permits are valued at around $65.4 million compared to almost $49 million in 2019. Seventy-six townhome permits were issued last year, an increase of 24 from 2019.
New commercial construction permits also saw an uptick in 2020. Thirty-four were approved, up seven from the year before. The value of those permits expanded significantly year over year: The 24 permits issued in 2019 were valued at $37.7 million; 2020's had a value of $97.5 million.
Bismarck City Planner Ben Ehreth says building permit data for the city for 2020 was above the five-year average.