Contact: data@mbaks.com

Significant changes are evident in the building permit landscape for the Seattle Metro Area, encompassing King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties, based on data as of November 2023. Single-family permits total 5,501, reflecting a year-to-date (YTD) decrease of 20% compared to the same period in 2022. Concurrently, multifamily permits stand at 10,175, indicating a more substantial YTD decline of 44% compared to the previous year. These figures underscore a notable downturn in both single-family and multifamily permits.

Read the full January Builders Bulletin:

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, May was the first time King County had more than a month's supply of homes for sale since September 2017. It was only the third time since October 2016. However, this is still far below the four-to-six month level that many industry analysts consider as an indicator of a healthy market.

The Builders' Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

By Shannon Affholter, The Everett Herald

Despite numerous legislative efforts to find a permanent and balanced solution to address the Washington state Supreme Court's Hirst decision, lawmakers in Olympia remain deadlocked on the issue. Unfortunately, the legislature adjourned on Thursday without reaching an agreement.

The 2016 Hirst decision has effectively halted many people from building their homes in areas that depend on well water. The ruling has created a great deal of uncertainty for counties, rural communities, builders, and families across the state. As legislators leave town, the hardship on affected property owners will continue without being resolved.