Israel Sees Record Building Permits in 2025 Amidst Housing Completion Decline

Israel's planning authorities issued building permits for a record 84,429 new housing units in 2025, an 11.5% increase from the 75,691 permits granted in 2024. This marks the highest number of permits issued in the four years covered by the report. However, the number of completed housing units, indicated by final occupancy certificates, dropped by approximately 10%, with 42,696 units receiving certificates in 2025 compared to 47,415 in the previous year.

Jerusalem led the nation in new building permits, with approvals for 8,444 units, followed by Tel Aviv-Yafo with 6,915. Other leading cities included Lod, Haifa, and Bat Yam. In contrast, Tel Aviv-Yafo topped the list for completed units with 5,684, followed by Netanya and Ashkelon. Jerusalem ranked fifth in completed units with 1,945.

The report also highlighted the role of "authorized persons," architects qualified to handle parts of the licensing process to expedite approvals. In 2025, 348 information files were submitted through this channel, resulting in 16 permits and approval for 56 housing units. The Hof HaCarmel regional planning committee saw the highest number of submissions in this category.

Regarding the functioning of local planning committees, 68% held at least the legally mandated 12 plenary or subcommittee meetings in 2025, an increase from 2024. Despite this improvement, 32% of committees failed to meet the minimum requirement. Furthermore, the timely dissemination of committee decisions remains an issue, with only 45% of committees distributing decision files within the legal three-day limit. A significant portion, 42%, took 4-8 days, and 11% exceeded eight days.