New Home Construction Slows in St. Louis—Five of Seven Counties See Double-Digit Drop in Permits

In the 12-month period ending March 31, 2025, there were 3,492 permits issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area, a 16.55% decrease from the 4,070 permits issued during the prior year, according to the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri. Five of the seven counties in the report showed double-digit drops in new home permit activity. However, Franklin County and Warren County saw double-digit increases, indicating continued strong interest in those markets.

This data is one of the many reasons buyers and investors rely on the expertise and insights from MORE, REALTORS®

See the full breakdown in the table below to understand how each county is performing in today’s shifting construction market.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – March 2025

(click on table below for live interactive charts and more data)

St Louis New Home Building Permits - March 2025

St. Louis Home Building Surges in Key Areas—What’s Driving the Growth?

New home construction activity in the St. Louis area shows mixed results for the 12-month period ending February 2025, compared to the previous year. According to the latest data, single-family home permits across the region totaled 3,993, marking an increase of about 13.3% from the 3,525 permits recorded in the prior period.

Notably, St. Louis County experienced a significant increase of 30.4%, rising from 506 to 727 permits. St. Charles County also saw healthy growth, increasing permits by 11.88% from 1,328 to 1,507. The City of St. Louis similarly showed robust growth, jumping 43.48% from 322 to 462 permits.

However, several counties recorded declines, including Lincoln County, which faced the most substantial drop, down 81.82%, from 120 to just 66 permits. Warren and Franklin Counties also experienced decreases, falling 8.61% and 8.4%, respectively.

This increase in new home construction can largely be attributed to the ongoing housing inventory shortage in the St. Louis area. Despite recent improvements from historic lows, inventory remains very tight, with less than two months’ supply of homes for sale. This persistent shortage continues to drive strong demand for new housing, prompting builders to ramp up construction to meet buyer needs.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home or interested in exploring new construction options, reach out to the professionals at MORE Realtors INLINE TEXT Link – goes to agent website
MORE, REALTORS®. They have the expertise and market insights to help you navigate the St. Louis real estate market effectively.

  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – February 2025

(click on table below for live interactive charts and more data)St Louis Building Permit Data from the HBA February 2025

 

St. Louis County Sees Sharp Decline in New Home Permits, While Lincoln County Booms by Nearly 82%

During the 12-month period ending November 30, 2024, a total of 3,756 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 2.47% decrease from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,851 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced an increase in permits. Lincoln County continues to show great growth in new construction with an increase nearly 82%.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – November 2024

(click on table below for live interactive charts and more data)

St. Louis County Faces 38% Decline in New Home Permits, Lincoln County Booms

During the 12-month period ending October 31, 2024, a total of 3,789 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 3.64% decrease from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,932 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced an increase in permits. Lincoln County continues to show great growth in new construction with an increase of a whopping 154%.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – October 2024

(click on table below for live interactive charts and more data)St Louis MSA Building Permits for New Homes Data for October 2024 compared with year ago

St. Louis Building Permits Rise in 4 of 7 Counties, with Lincoln County Seeing Over 100% Growth Again This Month!

During the 12-month period ending September 30, 2024, a total of 3,855 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 1.28% decrease from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,905 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced an increase in permits. Lincoln County continues to show great growth in new construction with an increase of a whopping 154%.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – September 2024

(click on table below for live interactive charts and more data)St Louis MSA Building Permits Issued

St. Louis Building Permits Dip Slightly, but Lincoln County sees Over 100% Growth again this month!

During the 12-month period ending August 31, 2024, a total of 3,865 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 3.38% decrease from the previous 12 months, which recorded 4,000 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced a decline in permits. Lincoln County continues to show great growth in new construction with an increase of a whopping 109%. Conversely, the City of St Louis continues to show the largest decline in new construction with a  decline of 29.24%.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – July 2024

(click on table below for live interactive charts and more data)St Louis Building Permits August 2024 from St Louis HBA

St. Louis Building Permits Dip Slightly, but Lincoln County Booms with Over 100% Growth!

During the 12-month period ending July 31, 2024, a total of 3,877 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 2.93% decrease from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,994 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced a decline in permits. Lincoln County continues to show great growth in new construction with an increase of a whopping 103.39%. Conversely, the City continues to show the largest decline in new construction with a  decline of 31.43%.

  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – July 2024

(click on table below for live interactive charts and more data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - July 2024

St. Louis Sees Slight Decrease in Single-Family Home Permits Over the Past Year

During the 12-month period ending June 30, 2024, a total of 4,017 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 2.34% decrease from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,923 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced a decline in permits. Lincoln County saw the largest percentage increase at a whopping 88.69%. Conversely, the City of St. Louis experienced the largest decrease, with an 27.93% decline.

  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – June 2024

St Louis New Home Building Permits - June 2024

St. Louis Continues to See Increase in New Home Construction Over the Past 12 Months

During the 12-month period ending May 31, 2024, a total of 4,004 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 2.72% increase from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,898 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced an increase in permits, two of which were in double digits. The leading winner and loser were the same this month as last, with Lincoln County seeing the largest percentage increase at 47.30% and the City of St. Louis experiencing the largest decrease, with a 19.05% decline

  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – May 2024

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - May 2024

 

St. Louis Sees 4.87% Rise in Single-Family Home Permits Over the Past Year

During the 12-month period ending April 30, 2024, a total of 4,071 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This marks a 4.87% increase from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,882 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced an increase in permits, three of which were in the double digits. Lincoln County saw the largest percentage increase at 37.66%. Conversely, the City of St. Louis experienced the largest decrease, with an 18.36% decline.

  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – April 2024

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - April 2024

 

Three Counties In The St Louis Area Experience Double Digit Growth in Building Permits

During the 12-month period ending March 31, 2024, a total of 4,070 building permits were issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area, marking a 3.83% increase from the previous 12 months, which recorded 3,920 permits. According to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA), four of the seven counties covered in the report experienced a decline in permits. The City of St. Louis saw the largest decrease, with a 13.31% drop. Conversely, the three counties that experienced an increase in building permits all reported double-digit growth

  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – March 2024

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - March 2024

 

St Louis Area New Home Building Permits Decline In All Counties Except St Charles

During the 12-month period ending February 29, 2024, there were 3,993 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This figure marks a 4.29% decrease from the previous 12-month period, which saw 4,172 permits issued, as per the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA). The downturn was observed in all counties except St Charles County, with three of them experiencing double-digit declines.

  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – February 2024

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - February 2024

 

St Louis New Home Constructions Begins 2024 Down From a Year Ago

In the 12-month period ended January 31, 2024 the St. Louis area saw the issuance of 3,996 building permits for new single-family homes. This represents a decline of 3.64% compared to the previous 12-month period, which had 4,147 permits, according to the latest figures from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA). This downward trend was noted across all counties with the exception of St. Charles County, with two counties reporting double-digit decreases.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – January 2024

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - January 2024

 

Despite High Demand and Low Inventory, St. Louis New Home Permits Hit Nine-Year Low in 2023

In 2023, the St. Louis area saw the issuance of 3,891 building permits for new single-family homes. This represents a decline of 10.78% compared to the previous year, which had 4,361 permits, according to the latest figures from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA). This downward trend was noted across all counties with the exception of St. Charles County, where five counties reported double-digit decreases. Additionally, Warren County, which had been on a four-month streak of increased permit activity, experienced a slight drop this month. The total of 3,891 permits in 2023 is the lowest the St. Louis area has seen since 2014, when 3,843 permits were issued. Furthermore, this total is nearly 17% below the 20-year average of 4,680 permits annually and 11% below the 20-year median of 4,375 permits.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – December 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)

 

New Single-Family Home Permits Dip by 14.71% in St. Louis Area; Warren County Bucks the Trend

During the 12-month period ending November 30, 2023, there were 3,932 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St. Louis area. This figure marks a 14.71% decrease from the previous 12-month period, which saw 4,515 permits issued, as per the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St. Louis HBA). The downturn was observed in all counties except Warren County, with five of them experiencing double-digit declines. Warren County notably reported an increase in building permits for the fourth consecutive month.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – November 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - November 2023

 

Majority of St. Louis Counties Experience Drop in New Home Building Permits

There were 3,932 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2023.  This represents a decline of 12.60% from the prior 12-month period, during which 4,499 permits were issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).  Five of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the previous period with 4 of them seeing double digit declines.  Warren County, on the other hand, saw a slight increase in permit activity for the third month in a row.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – October 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - October 2023

 

Nearly All St Louis Counties Continue Downward Trend in New Home Building Permits

There were 3,905 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2023.  This represents a decline of 13.20% from the prior 12-month period, during which 4,499 permits were issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).  Six of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the previous period with 4 of them seeing double digit declines.  Warren County, on the other hand, saw a slight increase in permit activity for the second month in a row.

  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – September 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - September 2023

 

St Louis New Home Building Permits For The Past 12-Months Decline in all Counties Except Warren

There were 3,946 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended August 31, 2023.  This represents a decline of 12.04% from the prior 12-month period, during which 4,486 permits were issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).  Six of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the previous period with 4 of them seeing double digit declines.  Warren County, on the other hand, saw a slight increase in permit activity.


  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – August 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - August 2023

 

St Louis New Home Building Permits For The Past 12-Months Decline in all Counties Again

There were 3,950 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended July 31, 2023.  This represents a decrease of 13.38% from the prior 12-month period, during which 4,560 permits were issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   All seven of the counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the previous period.

St Louis New Home Building Permits – July 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - July 2023

 

St Louis New Home Building Permits For The Past 12-Months Decline in all Counties Except Franklin

There were 4,017 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2023.  This represents a decrease of 11.05% from the prior 12-month period, during which 4,516 permits were issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   Six of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the previous period, with the City of St Louis and Lincoln County experiencing double-digit declines. 

St Louis New Home Building Permits – June 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - June 2023

 

St Louis New Home Building Permits For The Past 12-Months Declined in all Counties-by double digits in 6

There were 3,820 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended May 31, 2023.  This represents a decrease of 17.28% from the prior 12-month period, during which 4,618 permits were issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   All seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the previous period, with all but one of them experiencing double-digit declines. 

St Louis New Home Building Permits – May 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - May 2023

 

St Louis New Home Building Permits For The Past 12-Months Declined in all Counties

There were 3,882 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended April 30, 2023.  This represents a decrease of 16.34% from the prior 12-month period, during which 4,640 permits were issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   All seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the previous period, with all but one of them experiencing double-digit declines.  Also worth noting is this month marked the end to Franklin County’s streak of increased building permits over the prior period which lasted  20 months.

St Louis New Home Building Permits – April 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)

 

St Louis New Home Building Permits For The Past 12-Months Declined in 6 of Seven Counties

There were 3,920 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2023.  This represents a decrease of 16.58% from the prior 12-month period, during which 4,699 permits were issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   Six of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the previous period, with five of them experiencing double-digit declines.  In contrast, Franklin County saw an increase of over 4%, marking the 20th consecutive month of increases.

St Louis New Home Building Permits – March 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - March 2023

 

St Louis New Home Building Permits in February Fall By Double-Digits From A Year Ago In Four of Seven Counties

There were 4,170 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended February 28, 2023, a decrease of 10.69% from the same period a year ago when there were 4,669 permits issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   Six of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the same period a year ago with four of them experiencing double-digit declines.  Franklin County, on the other hand, saw an increase of nearly 19%.

St Louis New Home Building Permits – February 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - February 2023

 

New Home Building Permits in January Fall By Double-Digits From A Year Ago In 4 of 7 St Louis Counties

There were 4,147 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended January 31, 2023, a decrease of 13.48% from the same period a year ago when there were 4,793 permits issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   Six of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decline in building permits from the same period a year ago with four of them experiencing double-digit declines. 

St Louis New Home Building Permits – January 2023

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)St Louis New Home Building Permits - January 2023

 

St Louis Area New Home Building Permits for 2022 at lowest level in seven years

There were 4,361 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during 2022, a decline of 9.62% from 2021 when there were 4,825 permits issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).  As the table below shows, 4 of the 7 counties included in the report had a decline in the number of permits issued in 2022 from the year  before, with there of them double-digit declines.  Lincoln County saw the biggest drop percentage-wise with a decline of 38.27% followed by St Charles County at 21.8%.  All of the increases seen in the 3 remaining counties were single-digit increases with Franklin County the highest with an 8.36% increase.

As the chart below the table illustrates, 2022 saw the lowest number of building permits for new homes issued since 2015 when were there 4,200 issued.

Continue reading “St Louis Area New Home Building Permits for 2022 at lowest level in seven years

New Home Building Permits in St Louis area Decline overall but up in more counties than down

There were 4,515 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended November 30, 2022, a decrease of 6.93% from the same period a year ago when there were 4,851 permits issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   Four of the seven counties covered in the report saw an increase in building permits from the same period a year ago with the largest increase (9.15%) coming in St Louis County.  

St Louis New Home Building Permits – November 2022

(click on table below for page with live charts showing additional permit data)

St Louis New Home Building Permits - November 2022

 

New Home Building Permits in St Louis area Decline 7 Percent but increase 15 Percent in Franklin County

There were 4,499 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2022, a decrease of 7.01% from the same period a year ago when there were 4,838 permits issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   Five of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decrease in building permits from the same period a year ago with three of the counties have a double digit decline.  Franklin County came out the big winner with nearly a 15% increase in building permits issued during the past 12-months.

St Louis New Home Building Permits – October 2022

St Louis New Home Building Permits - October 2022

 

New Home Building Permits In St Louis For Most Recent 12-Months Decline Nearly 9 Percent

There were 4,499 building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of 8.89% from the same period a year ago when there were 4,938 permits issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   Five of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decrease in building permits from the same period a year ago with three of the counties have a double digit decline.

St Louis New Home Building Permits -September 2022

New Home Building Permits In St Louis For Most Recent 12-Months Decline Over 8 PercentSt Louis New Home Building Permits -September 2022

 

St Louis New Home Activity Continues To Decline

There were 4,486* building permits issued for new single-family homes in the St Louis area during the 12-month period ended August 31, 2022, a decrease of 8.93% from the same period a year ago when there were 4,926 permits issued, according to the latest data from the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (St Louis HBA).   Six of the seven counties covered in the report saw a decrease in building permits from the same period a year ago with four of the counties haveing a double digit decline.  

*The city of St Louis did not report building permit data for August 2022.  Last year there were 54 permits issued in August, if we assume the same number for this year, the City of St Louis would of had an increase of 5.6% for the period, and the overall drop in building permits for the St Louis area would have been 7.8% rather than the 8.93% shown…

St Louis New Home Building Permits -Aug  2022

St Louis New Home Building Permits -Aug  2022