According to filings with Leon County and the City of Tallahassee, the number of single-family residential construction permits was down 52.5% in January 2026 when compared to January 2025.
There were 28 permits issued in January 2026, compared to 59 permits issued one year ago. There were 27 permits issued last month, December 2025.
Data housed by the Office of Economic Vitality show that the 12-month average number of permits in January 2026 was 40. This is the lowest annual rate of new construction residential permits since before COVID.
The 3-Mnth Avg. data (Nov. – Jan.), which smooths out the month-to-month volatility, shows a 32.3% decrease in the number of permits issued over the same 3-month period one year ago.
The 3-Mnth Avg. data show a 9.1% increase in monthly average permit value during this period. The 3-month average permit values increased from $11.0 million in January 2025 to $12.0 million in January 2026.
The chart below shows the number of permits issued each month for the last 37-month period. A 3-Month Ave. line is also included. The highlighted numbers relate to permits issued in the month of January back to 2023.
When you look at the number of 4-story apartment complexes going up you have to wonder what impact that has.
This news does not comport with the reality I see every day. I'm looking at four giant subdivisions with hundreds of houses in each one going up on my side of town alone. There is an unreported glitch in this story.
@ William_Wallace = The 4 Subdivisions being built by me are all starting in the Mid $300K's.
Less than half the number of permits but the value is down less than 1%. This shows that mostly high end homes are being build.
It should jump a lot soon. there are FOUR Huge Subdivisions being built Outside Capital Circle between Apalachee Parkway and St. Augustine Rd. so, it will be over 1500 Homes when completed.