The decline in the number of issued building permits for housing and residential buildings in the country remains in the first quarter of 2010, as annualized and compared with the previous quarter. In the first quarter of this year local authorities have issued building permits for a total of 987 buildings with 2,789 apartments in them and more than 358 thousand square meters of built-up area (TBA). Are given permits and 49 office buildings with nearly 48 thousand square meters area and 868 other buildings with almost 418 thousand square meters area, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Compared to the previous quarter permits issued for construction of residential buildings decreased by 26.5%, housing them - with 28.9 percent, and built their area - with 30.1 percent. Office buildings are 22.2 percent less, but their built-up area increased by 65.8%. Other buildings reduced by 24% and the total area - with 43.9 percent. Compared with the first quarter of last year, building permits issued for new residential buildings are 32.9 percent less, and housing them - with 57.3 percent. Administrative buildings reduced by 38%, and other types of buildings - with 11.2 percent. In all types of buildings is registered decline in total built-up area for house - with 60% at administrative - with 64.2 percent, while the other buildings - by 41.2%. In the first quarter as many building permits for new residential buildings were issued in the capital - 135 in Burgas - 126, Sofia - Plovdiv 101 and - 92. Most homes are to be opened in Bourgas - 513, Plovdiv - 365, Blagoevgrad - 356, Sofia (capital) - 349 and in the Varna district - 279.