Pali Builds has reviewed the most recent permit data released by the City of Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety (LADBS). Below is a summary of key trends, issuance activity, and how March compares to February.

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Applications Submitted

A total of 113 permit applications were submitted in March.

This represents continued strong demand from homeowners entering the rebuild process and confirms that the pipeline of future construction remains full.

Key Takeaway:

• Application volume remains high and consistent
• The rebuild pipeline is still expanding

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Permits Issued

A total of 107 permits were issued in March.

This represents an increase from February, which saw approximately 90–95 permits issued.

Key Takeaway:

• February = steady issuance
• March = increased output and scaling approvals

The City continues to move relatively quickly while increasing production.

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Pipeline vs Output (Important Shift)

• Applications Submitted: 113
• Permits Issued: 107

For the first time:

Permit issuance is nearly matching new application volume

Interpretation:

• The system is approaching equilibrium
• Backlog is being worked down
• The rebuild pipeline is becoming predictable and sustainable

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Processing Time Observations

• Median time to issue (March): ~116 days

Interpretation:

• Processing timelines have stabilized
• Homeowners should expect ~4–6 month timelines
• The system is improving, but not yet accelerating dramatically

While the average permit timeline is approximately 6 months, the median time is closer to 4 months — indicating that most projects are moving through the system faster, with a small number of outliers extending overall averages.

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Project Type Observations

March continues the same trend seen in February:

• Majority of permits are new single-family rebuilds
• Minimal presence of:
  • Remodels
  • Additions
  • ADUs

Key Takeaway:

This is true rebuild activity, not partial construction

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Eligibility Observations

• ~92% of March permits are eligible rebuilds

Interpretation:

• Most homeowners are successfully navigating:
  • Insurance
  • City requirements
  • Rebuild eligibility pathways

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Project Size + Value

• Average size: ~3,200 – 3,500 sq ft
• Average value: ~$1.2M – $1.6M

Market Impact:

March alone represents:

$140M+–$170M+ in construction value entering the market

Combined with February:

$250M+ in active rebuild capital now moving into construction

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What Changed From February to March

1. Output Increased

• February: ~90–95 permits
• March: 107 permits

Clear upward trend in approvals

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2. Pipeline Remains Strong

• March applications: 113

Demand is not slowing — it’s keeping pace with approvals

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What We’re Seeing

Construction Activity Is About to Ramp

With over 200+ permits issued across February and March, expect:

• Groundbreakings within 30–60 days
• Foundation crews to become constrained
• Framing demand to spike shortly after

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Logistics Will Become a Constraint

As projects begin simultaneously:

• Delivery congestion will increase
• Scheduling conflicts will emerge
• Narrow streets will be impacted

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Cost Pressure Is Building

With synchronized demand:

• Subcontractor pricing may increase
• Material lead times may extend
• Competition for labor will intensify

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Looking Ahead

Based on current trends:

• April and May are likely to see continued strong permit issuance
• The pipeline remains active and balanced
• Construction activity will accelerate heading into summer

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Final Thought

February showed progress.
March shows balance and scale.

For the first time:

The rebuild system is processing permits almost as fast as they are being submitted.

The next challenge isn’t approvals…

It’s managing hundreds of projects moving forward at the same time.