Single-family permitting activity continued to weaken through the first half of 2026, while multifamily permitting remained somewhat stronger compared with the same period last year.
Over the first six months of the year, the number of single-family permits issued nationwide reached 465,301. Compared with the same period in 2025, this represents a 4.2 percent decline from the June 2025 total of 485,935. In contrast, multifamily permitting activity remained stronger, with 255,751 permits issued nationwide, marking a 4.5 percent increase from the same period last year.
Regionally, year-to-date single-family permitting declined in all four regions through June. The Midwest was essentially flat, while the South declined 3.6 percent, the West fell 6.8 percent, and the Northeast posted the largest decline, at 10.2 percent. Multifamily permits increased in three of the four regions, led by the Northeast (43.5 percent), followed by the West (14.0 percent) and the Midwest (1.4 percent). The South was the only region to post a decline, with multifamily permits falling 8.9 percent, driven largely by reduced permitting activity in major metropolitan areas across the region.
At the state level, 13 states and the District of Columbia recorded year-over-year increases in single-family permits through June, with gains ranging from 65.2 percent in the District of Columbia to 1.0 percent in Idaho. California reported no change, while the remaining 35 states posted declines. Nevada recorded the steepest decline, with single-family permits falling 26.0 percent.
The ten states issuing the highest number of single-family permits accounted for 62.8 percent of all single-family permits issued nationwide. Texas led the nation with 75,274 permits issued through June 2026, although this represented a 3.6 percent decline from the same period in 2025. Florida, the second-highest state, recorded a 5.0 percent decline, while North Carolina, ranking third, posted a 9.2 percent decrease.
Through June, 33 states and the District of Columbia recorded increases in multifamily building permits, while 17 states experienced declines. The District of Columbia posted the largest percentage increase, with multifamily permits rising 137.5 percent, from 469 to 1,114 units. In contrast, Nevada recorded the steepest decline, with permits falling 51.2 percent, from 3,866 to 1,888 units.
The ten states issuing the highest number of multifamily permits accounted for 61.0 percent of all multifamily permits issued nationwide. Through the first six months of 2026, California, which issued the largest number of multifamily permits, posted a 26.1 percent increase compared with the same period last year. Texas, the second-highest state, recorded a 23.7 percent decline, while Florida, ranking third, saw multifamily permits decrease by 41.3 percent.
At the local level, the following are the ten metropolitan areas with the highest number of single-family permits issued.
Below are the ten metropolitan areas with the highest levels of multifamily permitting activity. It is worth noting that the largest multifamily markets continue to show declines. Gains for multifamily permitting are occurring in smaller markets and for smaller builders.
