If last month’s residential construction numbers in Florida seem a little softer at first glance, take a deep breath before letting a single data point steal the spotlight. According to the latest HBW residential construction permit data, the state recorded 6,184 new residential construction permits with a combined construction value of approximately $2.16 billion during September 2026; this represents a month-over-month decline of more than 20 percent following August’s impressive surge of roughly 28 percent.

In other words, this is a classic example of market ebb and flow. Monthly permit activity is inherently volatile, and experienced construction professionals know that a single month rarely tells the entire story. Long-term trends are best evaluated through HBW’s archive data, quarterly reports, and annual analyses. That being stated, monthly permit data still remains one of the most effective tools for identifying emerging opportunities, tracking demand shifts, and evaluating regional market strength in real time.

Statewide Overview

Across Florida’s five major HBW reporting regions, September generated:

• Total Permits: 6,184
• Total Construction Value: $2,163,418,886
• Statewide Average Construction Value: Approximately $349,842 per permit

From a volume perspective, the Tampa region led the state with 1,898 permits, followed closely by the Southwest region with 1,660 permits. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Southeast region posted the lowest permit volume with 586 permits. However, as often happens in Florida, permit volume and project value tell two very different stories.

Tampa

The Tampa region once again claimed the top spot for permit activity, recording:

• 1,898 permits
• $639.8 million total construction value
• $337,085 average value per permit

The region’s activity was anchored by Pasco County with 524 permits with a total value of $202.8 million, followed closely by Polk County with 577 permits and $199.5 million in construction value. The consistent strength of such growth-oriented counties continues to reflect ongoing residential expansion along the I-4 corridor and surrounding suburban communities.

Southwest

The Southwest region delivered another strong month with the following permit totals:

• 1,660 permits
• $565.9 million total construction value
• $340,921 average value per permit

Lee County led the region with 593 permits, while Collier County followed with 368 permits. Interestingly, although Lee posted the higher permit count, Collier generated nearly equivalent construction value, highlighting the region’s continued mix of volume-driven and higher-end residential development. For builders, suppliers, and service providers, Southwest Florida remains one of the state’s most reliable sources of sustained residential construction demand.

Jacksonville

The Jacksonville region recorded:

• 1,031 permits
• $284.8 million total construction value
• $276,273 average value per permit

Duval County accounted for 451 permits, while St. Johns County contributed 241 permits. What stands out here is not necessarily the leading counties, which have remained remarkably consistent over the years, but rather the region’s elevated permit concentration relative to historical norms. Jacksonville often lands near the lower end of Florida’s regional rankings, yet September placed it firmly in the middle of the pack. Combined with strong activity seen in August, the region has recently demonstrated higher-than-usual construction momentum worth monitoring.

Orlando

The Orlando region posted:

• 1,009 permits
• $385.3 million total construction value
• $381,877 average value per permit

Regional leaders included Brevard County (298 permits, $130.97 million value) and Lake County (259 permits, $72.83 million value). While both counties continue to dominate permit activity within the region, Brevard’s project values stand out. Based on HBW data, Brevard’s average permit value was approximately $439,500, compared to roughly $281,000 in Lake County; the difference suggests a notably higher concentration of larger or more expensive residential projects in Brevard during September.

Although Brevard frequently occupies a leadership role in this region, Lake County has become a strong contributor and continues to be one of Central Florida’s dependable residential growth markets.

Southeast

The Southeast region recorded:

• 586 permits
• $287.6 million total construction value
• $490,704 average value per permit

Leading counties included St. Lucie County (237 permits, $83.0 million value) and Palm Beach County (104 permits, $78.8 million value). Despite ranking last in permit volume, the Southeast region once again posted the highest average construction value in Florida. In fact, its average value exceeded the statewide average by more than $140,000 per permit, which has become a familiar pattern. Southeast Florida may not generate the highest permit counts, but it consistently delivers some of the state’s most valuable residential projects, making it an important market for builders specializing in luxury, custom, and higher-end residential construction.

Final Takeaway

September’s data highlights an important reality of construction market analysis: where construction is happening and where construction dollars are being spent are often two different stories.

• Highest permit volume: Tampa (1,898 permits)
• Lowest permit volume: Southeast (586 permits)
• Highest average construction value: Southeast ($490,704)
• Lowest average construction value: Jacksonville ($276,273)

For contractors, material suppliers, service providers, and market strategists, building permit data remains one of the most valuable leading indicators available. It helps identify growth corridors, track regional demand, and uncover expansion opportunities before they become obvious. Just remember not to overreact to a single month’s movement. Markets breathe, surge, pause, and surge again. September may have cooled after August’s rally, but Florida’s residential construction engine remains very much in motion.

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.