Statistics Canada said gains in non-residential building permits in February more than offset a second straight monthly decline in Canada’s housing sector.

Municipalities issued $5.2 billion in building permits in February, up 3.6% from the previous month and continuing an upward trend that has persisted since the beginning of 2004.

Contractors took out $1.8 billion in permits for non-residential projects — up 14.4% following a 13.4% decline in January.

Permits rose in all three non-residential components — industrial, commercial and institutional.

However, the value of residential permits fell 1.5% to $3.4 billion, the second straight drop since the record high set in December.

The value of single-family permits dropped 7.7% in February to $2.3 billion.