Report states building permits hit all-time high in 2021
The number of building permits issued in Whitefish hit an all-time high of 1167, which includes a record number of new single-family homes at 129 units, according to the Planning and Building Department’s 2021 annual report.
The total new residential units dropped from 302 to 220, due to a reduction in the number of new multi-family units, states Planning and Building Director Dave Taylor in the report. The new residential construction contributed over $33 million in community investment.
The population of Whitefish increased by 18% since 2010 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That increase in growth is more than that seen by Flathead County with 13%, and the state of Montana with 9%.
With 18% growth in 2021 came an over 30% increase in housing prices. The average house price in Whitefish was $1.1 million and the median price was $800,000, according to the report.
The 2016 Housing Needs Assessment determined the city needed an additional 980 units by 2020 to house local workers. It said 60% of those new housing units should be priced affordably for the local worker but since 2016, 70 affordable housing units have been built — only 5.9% of the total number built, according to Taylor’s report.
The city issued 151 short-term rental licenses in 2021 and continues to monitor short-term rental activity. Updated permitting regulations ensure all short-term rentals are located in properly zoned areas and receive necessary inspections.
According to the annual report, the number of total land use permits held steady at 164, while conditional use permits and lakeshore permits each hit ten-year high numbers, 25 and 54 respectively.
Six new subdivisions were preliminarily approved with 14 new lots — half the number of new lots last year. Three subdivisions went to final plat, creating nine new lots, considerably less than the 51 in 2020.
In the past ten years, the City of Whitefish has expanded its boundaries by approximately 336 acres, the report shows. In 2021, two acres were annexed.
Although there were no new commercial buildings constructed, commercial remodels accounted for over half a million dollars.