Data compiled from city and county building departments by the Northeast Florida Builders Association for Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties show a total of 1,086 permits issued in November, a decrease compared to historical highs of August and September, and an increase over the same period last year.
With 16,613 permits issued to date, the greater Jacksonville area has surpassed last year’s total of 13,636. With two months remaining in 2005, indications are that permits will be near the 18,000 mark.
The monthly average to date in 2005 is 1,510 permits issued, putting Jacksonville on a path to exceed last year’s total by more than 20 percent if the pace continues. Last year, the monthly average was 1,136 permits issued, and in 2001, the monthly average was 756.
Experts believe this will be another high-growth year for the local housing market.
Bryan Lendry, president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, believes the decline represents seasonal changes and will not detract significantly from Jacksonville’s strong housing market.
“A decline in permits is typical at the end of the year,” Lendry said. “It is a natural fluctuation of construction and sales. Overall, we’ve had a very good year and the end-of-year numbers will bear that out.”
The monthly total for the four-county area is 1,086 permits issued compared to 979 this time last year.
—————————-