File photo. (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
Building Permits

Kamloops building sector continues prosperous start to 2026 with red hot March

Apr 14, 2026 | 8:45 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops building sector’s preposterously busy start to 2026 accelerated in March. 

New numbers released by the City of Kamloops Building Inspection Division show just over $68 million in activity was recorded over 61 permits for March 2026 — nearly seven times greater than the $9.9 million recorded over 65 permits from the same month last year. 

The near $68-million permit activity recorded in March is also greater than the near $39 million the city’s building inspection division recorded over the first two months of 2026. 

Year-to-date, 2026 is the busiest three-month start for the Kamloops building sector over the last decade and it’s not close. Nearly $106.7 million in activity was recorded over 203 permits, well ahead of $61.8 million recorded over 343 permits in 2022. 

In March 2026, one institutional permit was worth nearly $23.8 million while 12 other commercial permits were worth a combined $18 million. On the residential side, a permit for an 85-unit multi-family building was worth $21 million while three single family dwelling permits were worth $2.8 million. 

Kamloops continues to have one of its stronger starts when it comes to new housing units, as well. Permits for 92 residential units were issued in March 2026. Year-to-date, permits for 135 residential units have been issued compared to 26 during the same three-month period in 2025. The start in 2026 only trails the permits issued for 236 units during the first three months of 2020. 

The Kamloops building sector had its third-busiest year on record in 2025 with builders taking out just under $350 million. 

The full building permit report for March 2026 can be viewed here