The total number of building permits, 57 in all, issued by the City of Mesquite Building Department took a big jump in April over the previous month's 33 permits. Both the number issued and the total valuation of the permits at $3 million were the highest in 11 months discounting October 2011 when one grading permit worth $2.5 million was issued.

Single Family Residences

All of the positive increase in the numbers is attributed to a significant jump in permits for new single family homes. While Pulte Del Webb led the category most of 2011, the company that concentrates its work in Sun City Mesquite only took three permits in April. On the other hand, LHSC, Inc., took out 10 building permits for new homes in the Canyon Crest housing development. NRC construction company took out four building permits for new homes.

The number of permits at 20 and the $2,840,529 valuation were the highest in the last 11 months. Both numbers are a significant increase over the winter months when as few as five permits were issued in December and February.

Residential Modifications

Apparently, many homeowners are sprucing up the outside of their homes since seven of the 14 residential modification permits were issued to Southwest Awnings.

While it appears that April's numbers took a sharp decline from the previous month, one permit alone issued in March was valued at $123,696, making up the bulk of the month's total valuation of $157,399. Subtracting that puts March's total value in this category at $33,703.

Residential Modifications
January 2012	3	$	5,000
February	5	$	45,460
March	9	$	157,399
April	14	$	46,412
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June 2011	6	$	34,984
July	7	$	39,024
August	2	$	5,220
September	4	$	25,764
October	11	$	82,425
November	3	$	111,375
December	7	$	43,804
Yearly Total	81	$	773,587

Commercial Modifications

Even though the number of permits and the valuation of them in this category took a big leap from March's numbers, they are down sharply from January and February numbers.

The bulk of the total valuation is attributed to just one permit worth $51,494 for work on the old Los Cazadores Restaurant located next to the now-closed Rancho Market. The restaurant is being converted to an Italian-themed eatery by Matthew John who also operates Peggy Sue's restaurant and the Oasis Golf Club restaurants.

Two other commercial modification permits were issued to the Virgin River Casino and Hotel for a total of $7,800.

Monthly Comparisons

A year-to-year comparison of building permits issued in April shows an increase of $427,531 in the dollar value of the total number of permits from last year. Again, the increase is due to a rise in single family residences permits and value.

The miscellaneous category in which signs and repairs fall into dropped from last year's 23 permits to only nine this year. Other categories held fairly steady.

The total year to date numbers for 2012 show a slight increase in the total value of building permits issued even though the number of permits is down by 28.

At the end of April 2011, the Building Department had issued $7,970,650 worth of permits. At the end of April 2012, that had increased $232,264 to just over $8.2 million.

Business Licenses

Only 14 business licenses were issued by the City in April, down sharply from the 22 issued in March. Six of the licenses were issued to companies based outside of Mesquite.

Of the 17 business licenses revoked by the City in April, six were pulled for non-payment with the others cancelled because the company was no longer conducting business in Mesquite.