Development in Fredericton continues to show resilience driven by private sector confidence through the first half of 2026.
As of June 30, the total value of building permits issued in Fredericton was $134 million, keeping pace with activity recorded over the past number of years.
“Building permit activity is an important indicator of the strength of Fredericton’s economy including job growth as people continue to choose to live in our city” said Councillor Josh Hambrook, chair of the city’s Economic Prosperity and Growth Planning Committee. “The numbers offer insight into development activity and tell us that we are growing in a manner consistent with the city’s Municipal Plan. It is encouraging to see our local development community deliver a significant increase in commercial activity along with more housing options.”
While the total value of construction at the half-way point of 2026 is slightly below the record-breaking levels experienced in prior years, new construction is happening all over the city.
Commercial construction so far this year is well above Fredericton’s five-year average. More than $46 million of activity has been recorded, and most of the commercial development (59 per cent) is in the urban core, demonstrating confidence in the city’s central business areas on both sides of the river.
Importantly, development is happening in the locations the city has planned for growth. In the first six months of 2026, 81 per cent of the new housing units receiving a building permit are in the city’s Designated Growth Areas.
Residential construction continues across the community. Halfway through the year, the city has issued permits for 463 new residential units, demonstrating continued momentum to increase housing availability in Fredericton. 91 per cent of new residential units permitted so far this year are townhouses and apartments. Recent increases in subdivision activity indicate single-family home construction could increase in the coming years as more building lots become available.
Public sector (government) construction remains at historic low levels so far in 2026, totaling less than one per cent of the total value of permitted construction in Fredericton. Fredericton continues to become more reliant on private sector growth, but investments in public infrastructure are necessary to serve Fredericton’s rapidly growing population.
The city carefully plans for growth and is continuing to successfully implement its Growth Strategy and Municipal Plan to maintain and enhance the quality of life offered in the community.
The snapshot of mid-year development activity was presented to members of the Economic Prosperity and Growth Planning Committee by staff from the city’s planning division during a recent meeting. Fredericton ended 2025 with an all-time record $359.4 million in development and construction activity.