It was announced today that during March, contractors pulled permits to build 51 single-family houses collectively valued at $9.8 million in unincorporated Lee County.

That compares to 34 permits issued in February and 20 issued in March 2009, according to the Lee County Department of Community Development.

Also in March, permits were issued for four multi-family units, compared to 18 in February and 16 in March 2009, according to Mary Gibbs, the department’s director.

Four permits were issued in March for new commercial buildings collectively valued at $796,800, compared to $1.1 million in March 2009. There were no permits issued for new commercial buildings in February.

Lee County Community Development oversees planning, zoning, development, and building services, environmental review, building inspection and code enforcement for the unincorporated areas of Lee County.