California recorded 10,685 housing permits in June, up 35 percent from June 2020 when activity was limited by pandemic restrictions. Total permits in 2021 year to date are 33 percent above the same months in 2020.
June’s total of 6,175 single family permits again exceeded the recent average for the month, although the last two months have been closer to the recent monthly average than the previous four months were. Single family activity has rebounded since last spring’s pandemic-driven slump, as prices have risen sharply in most of the state’s metropolitan areas. The Inland Empire, Sacramento, and Los Angeles areas had the most permits in that order, which is the typical pattern.
California builders recorded 4,510 multifamily permits in June. June is frequently a big month for multifamily, but that was not the case this year. Los Angeles County permitted the most units as usual, followed distantly by San Diego County.
Nonresidential construction permit remains historically weak. June’s total of $1.267 billion was above April and May, but below any other month since 2013. Every major category except industrial continues to have very limited activity.
