Uptick in new builds

Downturn in revenue

New home building starts were up a bit in the first half of 2026 compared to the drought of building last year, with 59 new units (39 singlefamily structures, 13 multiple-unit dwellings and 7 secondary suites). By this time last year, Shire Hall had issued just 47 new home-building permits (37 single-detached, 10 secondary, and none multi-unit).

But the good news ends there. Residential construction value—that is, the dollar amount of the new homes permitted—was down 32 per cent over the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period a year ago.

More worrying is the fact that none of the new single detached home permits issued in June are for the County’s urban areas. They are, instead, scattered across the County. None will require municipal water or sewer services. This is despite an array of policies aimed at diverting new growth to the urban centres.

Indeed, the vast majority of homes built in the County in 2026 are being constructed outside Picton, Bloomfield and— thanks to one developer’s control over all new homebuilding in Wellington—nothing in this village.

As a result, permit fees have declined sharply in 2026 while development charges and connection fees fell off a cliff. DCs collected are just $ 367,000 this year, compared to $1.2 million in the same period last year. Connection charges generated nearly $1 million in the first six months last year. So far in 2026—just $78 thousand.

It all adds up to more pressure on existing water customers in Prince Edward County to pay current bills, the ones coming due, and the massive future bills if council is unable to stop the Regional Water plan.

The start of construction of the new hospital in Picton skewed all building numbers in 2025. While the one-time boost helped to fill County coffers (or, in part, offset municipal contributions to the hospital effort), the downturn trend in building across the County is being felt in lower-than-expected development and connection charges. The gap in funding adds up to more pressure on existing water customers to pay the $50 million spent since 2020 on waterworks expansion in Wellington.