Permits & units · Building Permits Survey
Authorized vs. started vs. completed
Permits authorize construction — they are not housing starts or completions.
New housing moves through stages: a unit is first authorized (a permit is issued), then started (construction begins), then completed (it's ready to occupy). The Building Permits Survey measures only the first stage.
Permits are the leading edge of supply, which is exactly why they're useful as an early signal — but not every authorized unit is built, and the lag from permit to completion varies. Treat permits as intended supply, not finished homes.
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Authorized vs. started vs. completed — FAQ
What is authorized vs. started vs. completed in building permits data?+
Permits authorize construction — they are not housing starts or completions. New housing moves through stages: a unit is first authorized (a permit is issued), then started (construction begins), then completed (it's ready to occupy). The Building Permits Survey measures only the first stage.
Why does authorized vs. started vs. completed matter?+
Permits are the leading edge of supply, which is exactly why they're useful as an early signal — but not every authorized unit is built, and the lag from permit to completion varies. Treat permits as intended supply, not finished homes.
Where does this building-permit data come from?+
All figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey (BPS), a monthly census of permit-issuing jurisdictions. PUMSdata is an independent product that makes it easy to map and compare, and is not affiliated with the Census Bureau.