recent building permits…
California's construction market is running hot right now. We're tracking 21,624 permits on file across the state, with 6,683 filed in just the last 30 days. That's real work happening on real projects, and it translates directly into lead opportunities for contractors. Los Angeles dominates the activity with 15,195 permits, followed by San Francisco with 6,429. Renovation work leads the charge at 11,473 permits, but roofing is solid too at 4,770 permits. Pool work, demolition, and specialty permits round out the rest. The point: there's enough variety here that roofers, HVAC techs, plumbers, and electricians can all find their next job. Permit data works because it's a record of decisions already made. When a property owner pulls a permit, they've committed money and timeline. DigPermit gives you access to this data so you can reach out before competitors do. You're not guessing who's building. You know exactly who filed what, where, and when.
Use permit data. Every building permit filed represents a property owner or GC who has already decided to build or renovate. DigPermit tracks permits as they're filed, so you can identify projects in your area, check the permit type to see if it matches your trade, and reach out directly. This beats waiting for bids to go public or hoping someone refers you work. You're working from actual filed permits, not speculation.
Los Angeles leads significantly with 15,195 permits on file. San Francisco is second with 6,429 permits. These two cities represent a huge share of construction activity in the state. If you're based in or willing to travel to either market, the volume of work is there. Even smaller cities show steady permit activity, so check your local area in DigPermit to see what's actually happening near you.
Renovation permits are most common at 11,473 permits. Roofing is second at 4,770 permits, which is significant work for roofers and GCs. Pool permits account for 1,317, demolition for 674, and another 1,986 are miscellaneous permit types. Your trade likely appears in the data. Use the permit type filters in DigPermit to narrow results to work that matches your services.
40,583 recent building permits filed in California.
40,583 permits
Enlarage and remodel (e) pool
Eplan: T.I. to existing retail space
Convert existing storage room into a new ADU per GC66323(a)(1)
2025 wildfire rebuild, supplemental permit to 25010-30000-05902 for single-family dwelling with an attached garage to update the plans, structural inventory and contractor informat…
Demolition of detached garage at rear of lot. Pedestrian protection fence required.
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Eplansupplemental permit to 25014-10000-03751 to increase size of addition to enlarge size of new bedroom
Convert irreg shaped portion of sfd 1st floor into junior accessory dwelling unit (485 sq ft) per gcs 65852.2(e)(1)(a) and 65852.22
Supplemental to permit# 26016-40000-17282, to correct address from 3171 garcia st to 3300 larga ave
Voluntary r&r grading for new single family dwelling
Supplemental ref: 23014-40000-03854 to revise height of ADU and framing plans. Revision to setback at addition area.
Waterproof and repair the (e) balcony for unit #12. replace guardrail. work per engineer design.
Supplemental permit to 26016-70000-17751 to change the type of building from apt. to sfd
Installing a 21.850 kW DC PV roof mount system (no ballast ) consisting of 40 modules and one inverter.
***2025 wildfire ineligible project*** new pool***see comments***
Supplemental to 23010-10000-04456 for early start foundation only to include grading, shoring, and below grade foundation
Water damage, termite damage/ dry rot repair less than 10% of replacement cost of residential buildings.
Re-roof with Class A or B roof covering material weighing less than 6 pounds per sq. ft. over existing solid sheathing 40 Squares. Class A roof covering is required within Very Hig…
10 window(s). Window and door change-out (same size & type) for residential buildings. Dual glazing, labeled and certified by National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), is requir…
Supplemental permit to 25014-20000-03278 to update site plan and include survey
Eplan: alteration to (e) wireless telecommunications facility