Monthly Update: Building Permits

The Partnership sends updates for the most important economic indicators each month. If you would like to opt-in to receive these updates, please click here.

For the latest data, click here.

City of Houston building permits totaled $7.2 billion for the 12 months ending September ’19, up 16.1 percent from $6.2 billion for the same period in ’18, according to the latest data released by the city’s Public Works Department. Commercial permits rose 29.5 percent to $4.4 billion while residential permits increased 0.3 percent to $2.9 billion. 
 

City building permits totaled $720.6 million in September ’19, up 37.5 percent from $524.0 million in September ’18. Commercial permit values totaled $364.7 million, up 19.7 percent from $304.7 million in ’18. Residential permits were $355.8 million, an increase of 62.3 percent from $219.3 million in ’18.

Projects of note that were permitted in September:

• Ben Taub Hospital ($37.2 million permit value), through Harris Health System, was provided a permit to remodel its radiology department as part of a multiyear, multimillion-dollar upgrade of its emergency room facilities. The radiology department will be relocated to make way for an expanded emergency center. The project is expected to take 32 months to complete.
   
• Four Seasons Hotel ($16.6 million permit value) obtained a building permit in September to do an interior remodel of its downtown location. More than 200,000 square feet of the hotel will be renovated. Plans are being finalized and a timetable has not yet been set for the project.  

   

Elizabeth Balderrama, PCED
Manager, Research
713-844-3615
ebalderrama@houston.org 
 

Patrick Jankowski, CERP
Senior Vice President, Research
713-844-3616
pjankowski@houston.org