Dallas Permitting Surge Signals New Apartment Supply Wave

Dallas permitting jumped to 17,684 units in July, signaling the next wave of apartment supply despite slowing national multifamily activity.

August 29, 2025

Valerija I.

Dallas posted the largest year-over-year increase in multifamily permitting, adding 4,566 units from last July to reach 17,684 units permitted.
While New York still leads in total volume, its annual permitting declined, contrasting with gains in Dallas, Orlando, Houston, Newark, and Columbus.
Suburban activity in North Texas cities like Frisco, Denton, Carrollton, and McKinney contributed to the region’s uptick, pointing to strong long-term supply momentum.

Key Takeaways

Dallas in the Lead

RealPage reports that after a slowdown in late 2024, Dallas’ multifamily permitting has steadily rebounded. July marked the continuation of that momentum, with the metro permitting over 17,600 units annually, up from a low of roughly 12,600 units last November.

Dallas has consistently ranked among the nation’s top markets for apartment completions since mid-2024. Now, as the current wave of deliveries starts to taper off, permitting data suggests that another construction cycle could be taking shape.

National Permitting Trends

Across the US, total multifamily permitting was down in July, but some metros bucked the trend. Six of the top 10 permitting markets posted increases from last year, with five adding more than 2,300 units each.

Orlando and Houston saw strong growth alongside Dallas.
Columbus, OH and Newark, NJ posted year-over-year permitting increases of roughly 33%.
Markets such as Chicago (+2,489 units), Detroit (+1,940 units), and Savannah (+1,300 units) also recorded notable gains.

On the other hand, New York, Phoenix, and Austin experienced sharp permitting declines. Secondary markets like Washington, DC, Tampa, Los Angeles, and Seattle also recorded significant decreases.

Overall, the top 10 metros permitted 134,050 units, nearly identical to July 2024’s total and up 1.5% month-over-month.

Top metros for multifamily permits in the year ending July 2025. Dallas surged 34.8% year-over-year, second only to New York in total units.

Where the Permits Are Being Issued

At the local level, the city of Columbus moved into the top spot in July with 7,600 units permitted, edging past Miami, which permitted 7,400 units. The Bronx and Brooklyn also ranked in the top five, alongside Unincorporated Harris County, TX.

Notably, Texas’ top cities have slipped in the rankings, with only Austin remaining in the top 10—though still down from June. However, the Dallas metro’s suburbs are carrying the momentum: Frisco, Denton, Carrollton, and McKinney all ranked among the next 50 top places, underscoring how growth in Dallas permitting is being driven by activity outside the urban core.

Top individual cities and places for multifamily permits in the year ending July 2025. Columbus and Miami led with more than 7,000 units each.

Why It Matters

The Dallas metro’s resurgence in multifamily permitting could mark the beginning of the next supply cycle, reinforcing its role as one of the country’s most active development hubs. With completions remaining elevated and new permits rising, the market is positioning itself for another wave of apartment deliveries in the coming years.

For developers and investors, Dallas highlights how local permitting shifts can foreshadow broader market cycles—even in the face of moderating economic growth.