Building permit values in Abbotsford dropped in July 2012 from June 2012 due to a drop in non-residential permits, according to Vancouver Regional Construction Association's analysis of Statistics Canada Building Permit Report.

Meanwhile, residential activity rose in July on a month-over-month basis.

Seasonally adjusted total building permit values in Abbotsford fell 20 per cent in July to $14.8 million from $18.6 million in July 2012.

Total permit values year-todate were 45 per cent lower to $106.3 million in the first seven months of 2012, compared to $193.9 million in the same period last year.

"July declines in non-residential permits in Abbotsford have pushed total permits back to recent low trend levels," said Keith Sashaw, president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association.

"However, commercial permits are faring better recently with two consecutive months above $6 million, which is a positive sign for the market."

Non-residential permit values dropped 42 per cent to $7.9 million in July 2012 from $13.7 million in June.

The seasonally adjusted value of residential permits jumped 44 per cent to $7 million in July 2012 from June's $4.8 million.

Industrial permits increased 85 per cent to $0.9 million in July 2012 from June's $0.5 million. Institutional-government permits fell 93 per cent to $0.4 million in July, while commercial permits declined three per cent in July to $6.6 million.

"We will likely see modest gains in residential, industrial and public sectors in 2012, but fewer total permits will likely be issued in 2012 mainly because one large commercial project boosted the 2011 figure in Abbotsford," said Sashaw.

According to the lastest Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, Abbotsford construction employment edged up 1.9 per cent to 11,000 jobs in August from July 2012, while year-overyear employment was down 10.6 per cent from August of last year.

REGIONAL BUILDING PERMIT HIGHLIGHTS

Seasonally adjusted total building permit values in the Abbotsford CMA fell 20 per cent to $14.8 million in July 2012, compared to $18.6 million in June

Non-residential permits dropped 42 per cent in July to $7.9 million from $13.7 million in June

Residential permits jumped 44 per cent in July to $7.0 million from $4.8 million in June

Year-to-date total building permit values in Abbotsford were down 45 per cent to $106.3 million in the first seven months of 2012 compared to $193.9 million in the same period last year

Non-residential permits were down 63 per cent to $49.6 million

Residential permits were down five per cent to $51.8 million