By Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington | NAHB
Over the first quarter of 2018, the total number of single-family permits issued nationwide reached 199,861. On a year-over-year basis, this is a 6.0% increase over the March 2017 level of 188,593. The results from the SOC are similar, single-family permits over the third month of 2018 was, 198,600 which is 5.3% ahead of its level over the same period of 2017, 188,600*.
Between March 2017 and March 2018, 26 states saw growth in single-family permits issued while 24 states and the District of Columbia registered a decline. Seventeen states, including California, recorded a growth above 6.0%. Idaho had the highest growth rate during this time at 42.3% while single-family permits in the District of Columbia declined by 69.1%, but from a small base, from 145 in 2017 to 34 in 2018.