In a significant development, the National Planning Council reported that 741 building permits were issued across various municipalities in the state during July 2024, marking a robust 36 percent growth compared to the 543 permits issued in June. This increase underscores a surge in construction activities across the region.
The data revealed a notable rise in building permits across most municipalities. Al Shamal saw the highest increase at 89 percent, followed by Al Khor with a 44 percent rise, Al Sheehaniya at 41 percent, Doha at 39 percent, Umm Salal at 37 percent, Al Wakrah at 34 percent, and both Al Daayen and Al Rayyan at 32 percent.
Al Rayyan emerged as the leading municipality, issuing 192 permits, which accounted for 26 percent of the total permits issued. Doha followed closely with 159 permits (21 percent), then Al Daayen with 151 permits (20 percent), and Al Wakrah with 98 permits (13 percent). The remaining permits were distributed among Al Khor (52 permits, 7 percent), Umm Salal (48 permits, 6 percent), Al Sheehaniya (24 permits, 3 percent), and Al Shamal (17 permits, 2 percent).
A detailed breakdown of the permits shows that new building permits, including both residential and non-residential structures, made up 36 percent (269 permits) of the total. Permits for additions accounted for a significant 61 percent (455 permits), while perimeter fencing permits constituted a modest 2 percent (17 permits).
In the residential sector, villas dominated the new building permits, representing 86 percent (183 permits) of the total. Apartment buildings followed with 13 percent (28 permits), and other residential structures made up just 1 percent (1 permit). For non-residential buildings, industrial structures such as workshops and factories led with 39 percent (22 permits), followed by service and infrastructure buildings at 28 percent (16 permits), and mosques at 16 percent (9 permits).
Meanwhile, building completion certificates showed a slight decline, with 360 certificates issued in July, reflecting a 4 percent decrease compared to June 2024. This decline was primarily driven by a significant drop in Doha (52 percent) and a minor decrease in Umm Salal (5 percent). However, there was a substantial increase in certificates issued in Al Wakrah (102 percent), Al Khor (55 percent), Al Shamal (29 percent), Al Daayen (8 percent), and Al Rayyan (6 percent), with no change in Al Sheehaniya.
Al Rayyan also led in the issuance of building completion certificates, with 92 certificates representing 26 percent of the total. Al Wakrah followed with 89 certificates (25 percent), Doha with 70 certificates (19 percent), and Al Daayen with 53 certificates (15 percent). The remaining certificates were spread across Umm Salal (21 certificates, 6 percent), Al Khor (17 certificates, 5 percent), and both Al Sheehaniya and Al Shamal (9 certificates, 2 percent each).
The report highlighted that completion certificates for new buildings, both residential and non-residential, constituted a significant 84 percent (303 certificates) of the total issued in July 2024, with certificates for building additions making up the remaining 16 percent (57 certificates). Among residential buildings, villas led with 94 percent (238 certificates) of the total, followed by apartment buildings at 5 percent (12 certificates), and other residential buildings at 1 percent (4 certificates). In the non-residential category, commercial and administrative buildings topped the list with 61 percent (30 certificates), followed by industrial buildings at 14 percent (7 certificates), and mosques and service/infrastructure buildings at 8 percent (4 certificates) each.