Building Permits
New privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits.
1423.00
Thousands of Units
Min
513.00
Max
2419.00
Average
1374.58
10Y Percentile
47%
3M Change
+2.2%
3-Month
+2.2%
6-Month
+0.4%
12-Month
-1.5%
What this means
Building permits are up 2.2%, showing a modest rise in upcoming housing construction. The level sits near the middle of the past decade.
When permits rise, construction and material stocks have tended to perform better in the following months. More supply can also temper home price growth.
Related Charts
Frequently Asked Questions
What are building permits?
Building permits represent government authorization for new construction. They lead housing starts by 1-2 months, making them an even earlier signal of construction trends and housing market direction.
How do building permits relate to the economy?
Permits are one of the Conference Board's Leading Economic Indicators. A sustained decline in permits signals reduced confidence in housing demand and often precedes broader economic softening.