Ponoka County sets new record for development permits

PONOKA COUNTY -- 2025 was a record-breaking year for new development permits in Ponoka County.

County administration says development activity across the region reached an all-time best 237 permits last year, up from 219 the year prior. In addition, there were also 13 rezoning applications received by Ponoka County and a total of 41 subdivisions.

The numbers are reflected in the County's development report submitted last month, which states that recent economic discussions within the municipality have highlighted new opportunities for the region. They note that the strong development numbers from last year reinforce Ponoka County's readiness for continued growth.

Also highlighted within the report were concerns about a property on Highway 611, as administration confirmed that agricultural buildings do not require Ponoka County building permits, and current construction appears to comply.

Provincially, Alberta rebounded in late 2025 after seeing a major drop in new development during the summer. According to provincial data, Alberta brought in $1.53 billion in development in July, which marked its lowest point since May 2024. However, the numbers climbed significantly in August before hitting an annual high of $2.1 billion in September.

Total residential and non-residential building permits for the latest reporting period, November 2025, have Alberta third in the country behind British Columbia and New Brunswick.