Montgomery County Residential Permit Insights
25 years of residential construction permit data, updated weekly. See what's being built, how fast permits are processed, and where construction is happening.
How much residential construction is happening?
This chart shows only permits that actually reached completion — not just applications filed. Montgomery County has finaled over 91,813 residential permits since 2000. Completions peaked at 5,742 in 2016, while 2009 saw the lowest volume at 2,613.
Are homeowners renovating or building new?
Renovation completions have consistently outpaced new construction throughout this period. Renovation peaked at 85.1% in 2016, while new construction peaked at 56.5% in 2001. Meanwhile, new homes are getting smaller — average square footage peaked at 5,531 sq ft in 2023 and has since dropped to 4,922 sq ft.
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- New permit applications
- Permits issued this week
- Construction completed
- Addresses and details
When Do Homeowners Apply for Permits?
Permit applications follow a clear seasonal pattern. Activity peaks in Jun and drops to its lowest point in Dec. Spring and summer drive the most permit activity, while winter months see a significant slowdown.
How long does it take to get a permit approved?
Permit processing times have varied significantly. The fastest year was 2016 at just 21.3 days on average, while 2004 saw the longest average wait at 83.5 days. The most recent full year (2025) averaged 32.7 days. The averages mask a long tail: half of all permits are approved within 17 days, but 1 in 10 waits over 99 days, and 1 in 100 waits over 426 days.
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See exactly what subscribers receive each week. Pick any neighborhood below and we'll send you a sample report.
- New permit applications
- Permits issued this week
- Construction completed
- Addresses and details
How long does construction take?
The total time from permit issuance to final inspection has fluctuated considerably. The shortest average was 156 days in 2016, while 2005 saw an average of 310 days — over 10 months from approval to completion.
How often do inspections fail?
Across 784,562 completed inspections, 21.2% result in a failure. A failed inspection means rework, rescheduling, and delays — adding time and cost to every affected project.