Florida’s residential construction market has started off strong in the first quarter of this year.  From January through March, there have been approximately 26,840 new residential construction permits recorded by HBW, reflecting an impressive 31 percent increase in comparison to the same time last year.  Across nearly all regions reviewed, there have been significant spikes in new home construction ranging from 8 percent (Northwest) to more than 52 percent (West).  Out of the six regions reviewed (Northeast, Northwest, Central, Southwest, Southeast, West), the greatest volume and year-over-year growth in new home construction could be found in West Florida (7,020 permits) where there has been a 52+ percent increase in new construction in comparison to the same period last year.

Here is a breakdown of the total permits, leading counties, and year-over-year rate of change/growth in the six regions included in the latest HBW Building Activity Trend Report for new home construction in the Sunshine State:

West

As previously noted, the western region of Florida held the highest volume of new permits in the first quarter of this year; the region experienced a 52.4 percent increase in new home construction in comparison to the same time last year, resulting in 7,020 new permits on record with HBW.  Out of the seven counties reviewed in the area, the greatest amount of new home construction activity could be found in Polk County and Pasco County where there were 2,690 and 1,488 permits respectively.

Southwest

In the first quarter of this year, there have been 6,246 new residential construction permits on record for the southwestern region of Florida, reflecting approximately a 36 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.  Out of the five counties that make up the area, the greatest concentration of new home construction activity could be found in Lee County where there was close to a 72 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction, resulting in 2,683 new permits on record.

Northeast

As of the start of this year, new home construction has been on the rise in the northeastern region of Florida; in the first quarter, there have been 5,345 new permits recorded for the area, reflecting more than a 50 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.  Out of the eight counties that make up the region, more than half of all new permits originated from St. Johns (1,487 permits) and Marion (1,474 permits).

Central

In Q1-2024, there have been 3,150 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the Central Florida region, reflecting a 7 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction.  Out of the six counties that make up Central Florida, nearly half of all new permits originated from the two counties of Brevard and Orange where there were 790 and 708 new permits respectively.

Northwest

From January through March of this year there have been approximately 2,800 new residential construction permits recorded for the northwestern region of Florida, reflecting an 8 percent increase in new home construction in comparison to the same time last year.  The regional report for the northwest included 16 Florida counties, in addition to two counties along the Alabama border; out of the 18 counties reviewed, the highest concentration of new home construction could be found in Bay County and Santa Rosa County where there were 632 and 379 new permits respectively.

Southeast

Since the start of this year (thru March) there have been nearly 2,280 new permits added to the HBW database for the southeastern region of Florida, reflecting a 25 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.  Out of the seven counties that make up the region, St. Lucie County and Palm Beach County carried the greatest volume of new home construction having 856 and 518 new permits on record with HBW respectively.

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.