Building activity flourishes in San Bernardino

The City of San Bernardino Building and Safety Division issued more building permits last month than any other recent month by a wide margin. 736 permits, with a total valuation of almost $26 million, were issued in August.

“Activity has been picking up all year,” said Nathan Freeman, Agency Director of Community, Housing, and Economic Development. “But these past few months, especially August, have seen big increases in activity.”

By comparison, prior to this year, no more than 450 permits were issued during any month in the past five years. In 2022, San Bernardino has exceeded that total in February, March, June, July, and August.

Freeman pointed out that in addition to the record number of permits issued, the total valuation of the permits during the first eight months of 2022 has already exceeded the valuation for all of 2021 by $29 million.

City Manager Robert Field stated several factors have contributed to the spike in activity.

“There are incredible development opportunities in San Bernardino,” said Field. “The recent addition of Lincoln Property Company, one of the largest housing developers in the nation, to the investment group developing the Carousel Mall site speaks volumes to the opportunity here. In addition, we are reinventing our customer service approach to serving residents, contractors, investors, and developers through the entitlement and permitting process, making it easier to get projects done.”

Recently permitted projects include a new 50 room Best Western Hotel on Redlands Boulevard, a Starbucks Coffee on 5th Street, a 10,000 square foot convenience store on North E Street, a Rally’s Restaurant on East 40th Street, and a 15,000 square foot gym at the Norton Science and Learning Academy on Waterman Avenue.