May 1, 2026

Building activity showed a noticeable slowdown in Sioux Falls last month.

Through April, permit valuation totaled $297.5 million, down slightly from $347.5 million in 2025 and $301.3 million two years ago.

“April was not a strong month on the valuation side of things,” said Neil King, the city’s chief building official.

“The biggest hit in April (was) new commercial permits … while the valuations are down, total number of building permits are pretty close to the same as last year.”

New commercial permits totaled $139.2 million through April, behind last year’s $143.3 million and $169.5 million in 2024.

Commercial additions and expansions totaled $86.7 million through April, versus $122.4 million last year but up from $54.9 million two years ago.

The largest permit issued in April was to Northern States Power Company for a service center at 500 W. Russell St. valued at $15 million.

The bright spot for the month was new residential construction.  There have been 116 single-family homes permitted this year, versus 113 last year and 148 a year ago. Of those, 78 were issued in April, making it the best April since 2022.

Permits through the first four months totaled $46.6 million, behind last year’s $58.1 million and $53.1 million in 2024.

The city has issued 270 multifamily unit permits, up from 265 last year and 388 two years ago.

Residential additions and remodeling permits are at $24.5 million through April, compared with $23.8 million last year as well as two years ago.

The overall permits issued for the year so far is 1,579, on par with 1,599 last year and behind 1,753 two years ago.

For an interactive map of building activity so far this year, click below.