Top Multifamily Markets Also Lead in Single-Family Permitting

Six top multifamily permitting markets also led in single-family permits in March 2025, highlighting strong Sun Belt housing demand.

April 29, 2025

Han Lung

Houston, Dallas, Austin, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Charlotte ranked among the top 10 for both single-family and multifamily permitting in the year-ending March 2025.
New York continued to lead in multifamily permits, with Miami and Columbus joining the top 10 this month.
While most top multifamily markets posted year-over-year declines in permits, New York and Columbus saw increases across both property types.

Key Takeaways

The latest US Census Bureau data shows strong overlap between top markets for single-family and multifamily permitting, reflecting sustained housing demand across key metros, per RealPage.

Six of the top 10 multifamily markets also ranked among the nation’s leaders in single-family activity in the year-ending March 2025.

Sun Belt Dominance in Single-Family Permits

Sun Belt metros continue to dominate single-family permitting, with Houston, Dallas, Austin, Phoenix, Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Orlando, Nashville, and North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton leading the list.

A More Diverse Multifamily Landscape

Multifamily permitting remains more geographically mixed. New York again led the nation, joined by Sun Belt heavyweights and markets like Washington, DC, and Columbus. Miami and Columbus replaced Tampa and Los Angeles in the March top 10.

Shifting Trends

Only New York and Columbus recorded year-over-year gains in both single-family and multifamily permitting. Still, signs of multifamily stabilization emerged: fewer top markets posted month-over-month declines, and total top 10 permitting ticked slightly higher in March compared to February.

Local Standouts

At the city level, Brooklyn led in individual permitting, followed by Atlanta’s city proper. Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) moved up, while Miami and Columbus gained ground. Unincorporated Travis County (Austin) rejoined the top 10.

Looking Ahead

While some major markets posted significant permitting declines year-over-year, modest month-over-month improvements suggest multifamily activity may be bottoming out in several metros as housing demand persists.