BEDFORD — The City of Bedford Planning & Zoning has released its first performance report of 2026, revealing a month of peak efficiency and steady growth. According to the “Issued Permits By Department” report run on February 3, the city processed and issued every single permit application within the same day of submission throughout January.
From January 1 to January 31, 2026, the department issued a total of 12 building permits. Remarkably, the report shows a 100% success rate for meeting expected process times, with a mean processing time of “Same Day” across all categories.
The department handled a diverse range of projects, maintaining a standard deviation of zero days for its processing cycles.
Construction Highlights: Residential and Commercial Growth
The January data highlights a strong start for residential development in Bedford. New housing and residential renovations made up the bulk of the department’s activity:
- New Residential Construction: Four permits were issued for new homes and significant additions, including two new houses on 7th Street valued at $200,000 each.
- Residential Improvements: Four permits were issued for remodels and inspections, including an $85,000 complete remodel on Magnolia Lane.
- Commercial Investments: The city approved two commercial remodels, including cosmetic and safety upgrades for a local business on 16th Street and plumbing installations on 5th Street.
| Permit Category | Number Issued | Avg. Process Time |
| New Residential Construction | 4 | Same Day |
| Residential Remodels (With/Without Inspection) | 4 | Same Day |
| Commercial Building Permits | 2 | Same Day |
| Certificate of Occupancy | 1 | Same Day |
| Demolition | 1 | Same Day |
Beyond new builds, the department facilitated essential infrastructure maintenance. This included a demolition permit for a commercial building on 6 1/2 Street for the Hoosier Hills Credit Union and various smaller residential projects ranging from gutter installations to door replacements.
The total estimated value of construction authorized in January alone exceeded $560,000, signaling a robust start to the year for the local economy. City officials noted that the “Total Cycles” for every permit remained at one, indicating that applications were technically complete and approved without the need for lengthy back-and-forth revisions.
