New housing starts in Tyrrell County this past fiscal year more than tripled those in each of the previous two years.

Building permits for one stick-built, five modulars, and five mobile homes were issued by the Tyrrell County Inspections Department during the year that ended June 30, Joie Spencer, building inspector, reported recently.

Total permits for new, whole-structure residential construction for the past 11 fiscal years (July 1-June 30) are shown below:

2006 — 43

2007 — 29

2008 — 39

2009 — 22

2010 — 25

2011 — 14

2012 — 21

2013 — 17

2014 — 04

2015 — 04

2016 — 14

 

In addition, five commercial building permits were issued in 2016, none in 2015, and three in 2014, the earliest year that category was reported.

Besides new starts, Spencer issues permits for electrical, mechanical and plumbing work, for additions and repairs, and for demolitions, signs, mobile home moving, cell tower construction, and safety measures.

The total of all types of permits issued was 317 in 2016, 121 in 2015, 123 in 2014, 205 in 2013, and 361 in 2012.