baltimoresun.com

« State of Md. opens center -- in New Jersey | Main | Mapping the ripple effects »

April 26, 2008

Permit to build

Homebuilders have responded to the slump by pulling back on new inventory, as you all probably know quite well already. But they haven't done so in equal measure across the state and region.

So you can see that at a glance, I spent the morning making the Maryland Department of Planning's building-permit statistics more visual.

Here's the trend for residential permits statewide, first quarter 2000 through first quarter 2008:

 

PermitsStateSmall.jpg

 

Read on for the local experience ...

PermitsMetroAreaSmall.jpg

 

PermitsAASmall.jpg

 

PermitsBaltCitySmall.jpg

 

PermitsBaltCoSmall.jpg

 

PermitsCarrSmall.jpg

 

PermitsHarfSmall.jpg

 

PermitsHoCoSmall.jpg

 

I'm figuring that the reason many jurisdictions saw a downward trend during the early boom years has more to do with zoning restrictions and crowded schools than demand. In any case, it's interesting to see how Baltimore City's permits peaked in '07, well into the slump. And how Baltimore County's permits in the first quarter of this year actually top -- by quite a bit -- the permits in the first quarter of 2005. And how Carroll's permits have dwindled away to a shadow of their former self.

OK, I've wonked away enough of my Saturday. If you care to pick up where I've left off, click HERE to see the state data.

Posted by Jamie Smith Hopkins at 12:59 PM | | Comments (0)
Categories: Number-crunching
        

Post a comment

All comments must be approved by the blog author. Name-calling aimed at other commenters is not welcome here. Please do not resubmit comments if they do not immediately appear. You are not required to use your full name when posting, but you should use a real e-mail address. Comments may be republished in print, but we will not publish your e-mail address. Our full Terms of Service are available here.

Verification (needed to reduce spam):

About Jamie Smith Hopkins
Jamie Smith Hopkins, a Baltimore Sun reporter since 1999, writes about the regional economy. Her reporting on the housing market has won national and local awards. Hopkins is a Columbia native and has lived in Maryland all her life, save for 10 months spent covering schools in Ames, Iowa.
She trained to become a wonk by spending large chunks of time as a geek and an insufferable know-it-all.
• Baltimore Sun articles by Jamie
-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Recent posts

Most Recent Comments
Baltimore Sun coverage
Baltimore Sun Real Estate section
Archive: Dream Home
Dream Home takes readers into the houses of area residents who have found their ideal home.
Sign up for FREE business alerts
Get free Sun alerts sent to your mobile phone.*
Get free Baltimore Sun mobile alerts
Sign up for Business text alerts

Returning user? Update preferences.
Sign up for more Sun text alerts
*Standard message and data rates apply. Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Sign up for the At Home newsletter
The home and garden newsletter includes design tips and trends, gardening coverage, ideas for DIY projects and more.
See a sample | Sign up

Charm City Current

 Subscribe to this feed
Resources
Blogroll
Categories
Monthly Archives
Stay connected
Powered by Movable Type 3.36