As winter weather sets in, the number of building permits issued by Albert Lea and Freeborn County is decreasing.

Albert Lea’s Inspection Department issued 70 building permits in November, fewer than half of the 144 issued in October.

All but three of the permits issued in November were for alterations, additions and repairs at residential properties.

A permit was issued to the city of Albert Lea for a new roof at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport, 400 Airport Road, with an estimated value of $48,285.

Two permits were issued to St. John’s Lutheran Home for bathroom additions and repairs for a total estimated valuation of $41,000.

For the year, the city’s inspection department has still nearly doubled the number of permits issued over last year due to damages incurred in the tornado in June.

As of Nov. 31, the city’s inspection department has issued 773 permits in 2011, compared to 368 issued as of Nov. 31, 2010.

The estimated valuation of permits issued in November is $628,352, with the year-to-date total as of Nov. 31 at $13,449,920.

The Freeborn County Planning and Zoning office issued 28 permits in November, down from 55 issued in October. The total estimated valuation of permits issued in November was $863,009.

Twelve permits were issued for roofing and siding projects and three permits were issued for new homes in Alden.

A permit was also issued to Wisconsin Power and Light, with an estimated valuation of $106,942.

The year-to-date total valuation of permits issued by the county planning and zoning office is $13,344,024.