Building Permit Update 2022

Using 2022 US Census Building Permit Survey data, CDRPC noted an increase in the overall number of regional building permits issued after yearly declines from 2015 to 2019. After a six year low of 1,094 building permits issued in 2019, there has been a steady increase in building permit issuances. It is important to note that building permit issuance counts are based on municipalities reporting to the Census Bureau. Municipalities that don’t report their issuance may appear to have fewer permits issued than have actually been issued.

Total Building Permits

Since 2019, building permit issuances have been increasing. In fact, building permit issuances increased by 10.64% between 2021 and 2022. This is a slightly slowed pace from the 39.3% increase between 2020 and 2021.

Single-family issuances decreased from 1,446 in 2021 to 1,214 in 2022, a decrease of 16.04%. This is the lowest single—family building permit issuances since 2019. In contrast, multi-family issuances increased from 2021 to 2022. In 2021, there were 1,196 building permits issued and in 2022 there were 1,709 multi-family permits issued, an increase of 42.90% between years. Multi-family building permit issuances are the highest they have been since 2015.

Share of Building Permits

In 2022, there were more multi-family building permit issuances than single-family issuances. With multi-family building issuances accounting for 58% of the total share and single-family issuances at 42% of the total share. The share of single-family permit issuances seems to have peaked in 2020 and has decreased by 26% in 2022.

Breakdown by County

Of the 2,563 total permits issued in 2022, Saratoga County issued the most with approximately 49% of all permits. Of these permits, 61% were for single-family units and 39% were for multi-family units. Compared to 41% of shares taken by Saratoga County in 2021, their shares in 2022 have decreased by 8%. Albany County had the second most building permits issued, with 38% of the total issuances in the region. Of these issued permits 25% were for single-family units and 75% were for multi-family units. Schenectady County saw an 11% decrease in the share of permits, jumping from 17% in 2021, to 6% in 2022. Of this 6%, 44% are permit issuances for single-family units and 56% are for multi-family permits. Rensselaer County accounted for 7% of the building permit issuances, with 71% for single-family units and 29% for multi-family units.

Breakdown by Municipality

Of all the municipalities throughout the region, the City of Albany issued the most building permits, totaling 407. Of these 407 permits, 7 were for single-family units and 400 were for multi-family units. It is important to note that 420 refers to the number of units that were permitted issuances and does not refer to the number of buildings established. The Town of Milton issued the second most permits with 353 total units, 157 of which were single-family units and 196 were for multi-family units. The City of Cohoes issued the third most permits, totaling 245. Of these 218 permits issued, 1 was for single-family units and 244 were for multi-family units.