It's been another record year for building permits in the City of Portage la Prairie.
When building structures on your property or making major changes, the Portage la Prairie Planning District is in place to ensure all work complies with bylaws and building codes.
City Planning & Economic Development Committee Chair Preston Meier says the Planning District is part of a regional partnership that provides reports from both the City of Portage la Prairie and the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie. For the City, Meier relays that information to council members.
He notes that August's report shows some zeroes in certain files, indicating that permits were issued, but the Planning District is still waiting for final figures on those projects. "They're not typographical errors," he clarifies.
"The actual dollar value at the bottom of the combined totals is not accurate. So, it wasn't a case where people just didn't pay for the permits. As Chair of Economic Development and City Planning, I get these total permits on a monthly basis, and it always excites me because we talk about economic development. The majority of that is through new builds—whether residential, commercial, industrial, or farm. Values for August 2024, combined for both the city and the rural municipality, showed $297 million when, in reality, it's closer to $317 million. I always get excited when I see the permits going up. It shows the activity within our region. The majority of that is the hospital, but it’s been another record year for permits within the city and the rural municipality."
Meier also notes interesting trends. Single-housing developments are increasing in number.
"They're almost double in value compared to last year. Multi-family housing, including apartment buildings, and our three designations are up one hundredfold. They went from $716,000 in 2023 to over $21 million this year. Another trend we’re seeing is the rise in repair permits. This shows that people are investing back into their properties. While they likely always have, it's trending higher now."
He emphasizes the importance of consulting the Planning District for any additions, renovations, or new structures on your property.
"If you complete a project and it’s not compliant with bylaws, the structure may have to be removed. You want to ensure you’ve done your due diligence by checking with the Planning District. The other benefit is that it increases your property value. The assessment branch takes this into consideration, so it will also increase the assessed value of your property. From my position on City Council, we always advise residents planning any work on their property to talk to the Planning District. While some projects don’t require a permit, the District will guide you through the steps when one is necessary. Certain codes are in place for safety reasons, and the Planning District will help you navigate them."
He adds that this includes details like setbacks from yards or property lines. Meier notes the Planning District is the resource for outlining these bylaws. The Planning District website provides information for both the City of Portage la Prairie and the RM and highlights the codes for different types of projects.
"For example, if you're building a deck, you need to meet certain setback requirements between your property and your neighbour's. It’s always a good idea to discuss your plans with your neighbours before starting any exterior work. We understand it’s your property, but bylaws exist, such as needing to be at least three feet from another property line. Building too close can cause issues with neighbours."
Meier says that if a variance is needed, such as building closer to the property line than the bylaw allows, you can apply for a variance permit.
"The Planning District will send a notice to all property owners within a 100-metre radius of your property. If there are any objections, you can address them beforehand. It’s a good way to ensure any concerns are discussed in advance."
He explains that the City Council ultimately votes on whether to approve or deny variance requests.
"In some cases, you can also apply for conditional use of a property if certain operations aren’t normally permitted there."
Meier adds that the City is committed to ensuring everyone is on the same page and avoiding potential issues.
"At the end of the day, if you're planning any type of exterior work—whether it's building a garage, shed, deck, or something else—a permit may be required. The Planning District will help you through the process. Sometimes it’s handled by your contractor, but make sure they’re following the correct procedure as well."
He notes that although issues are rare, there have been times when council had to step in to resolve them.
"It’s a lot easier to address any potential issues beforehand than trying to fix them afterward. We want to make sure people know about the city's development plan and where to find the information they need."