Florida’s residential construction market pulled back in July, with builders filing 6,127 home permits worth nearly $2.2 billion across five major regions. The monthly total fell sharply from June, although regional activity remained substantial. Tampa led the tracked markets in combined permit volume and construction value among the top regional builders.
Key takeaways
- Florida builders filed 6,127 residential permits in July.
- The permits represented nearly $2.2 billion in construction value.
- Permit activity declined 18% from June’s 7,477 permits.
- Tampa’s five leading builders recorded the highest combined regional totals.
- The three busiest builders statewide accounted for more than 31% of July permits.
The figures offer a snapshot of a market that continues to vary considerably by region and from month to month.
July construction activity declined from June
July’s permit count was 18% below June’s total, when builders filed 7,477 permits valued at approximately $2.676 billion. The change followed a 17% increase from May to June, underscoring the volatility of monthly residential construction activity.
Together, the two months show that Florida’s new-home market can shift quickly, even across the same group of major regions: Tampa, Southwest Florida, Orlando, Jacksonville and Southeast Florida.
Tampa led regional builder activity
About 220 builders were active in the Tampa region during July. The five highest-volume companies filed 710 permits with a combined construction value of roughly $243.8 million, including activity in The Villages.
Southwest Florida had the largest reported builder pool, with more than 310 companies active. Its five regional leaders accounted for 689 permits valued at approximately $163.6 million.
The leading figures for each region were:
| Region | Active builders | Permits from five leaders | Combined value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa | About 220 | 710 | $243.8 million |
| Southwest Florida | More than 310 | 689 | $163.6 million |
| Orlando | Just over 150 | 536 | $188.8 million |
| Jacksonville | More than 120 | 384 | $87.5 million |
| Southeast Florida | About 120 | 370 | $127.2 million |
These totals reflect the five highest-volume builders in each market, rather than all permits filed in the region.
Home values differed across markets
Orlando stood out because all five of its leading builders averaged more than $330,000 in construction value per permit. Southeast Florida posted the highest individual average among the regional leaders, exceeding $515,000.
The contrast suggests that permit counts alone do not fully describe local construction conditions. A region with fewer permits may still record significant construction value if builders are developing higher-priced homes.
A concentrated statewide market
The three highest-volume builders statewide filed 1,917 permits, representing more than 31% of July’s total. That concentration highlights the influence of major builders on Florida’s overall residential construction numbers.
For real estate professionals and prospective buyers, the regional differences provide useful context. Local permit activity can help indicate how much new housing is being added, what types of projects are underway and how construction trends differ across Florida communities.
- Florida builders file 6,127 home permits in July, | Florida Realtors.