US homes are older than ever, but local permitting systems could slow down essential renovations
The median age of owner-occupied homes in the U.S. has risen to 42 years, increasing the need for essential repairs rather than cosmetic upgrades. A report from the Common Sense Institute found that permitting processes in Arizona add an average of 23 days to residential projects, slowing down necessary maintenance. With nearly 49 million households reporting needed repairs, inefficient local permitting systems may hinder efforts to keep aging homes safe and habitable.
- ▪The median age of owner-occupied homes in the U.S. is now 42 years, up from 31 in 2005, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
- ▪Nearly 49 million U.S. households reported at least one needed repair in the latest American Housing Survey, with an estimated $198.4 billion repair backlog for occupied homes.
- ▪In Arizona, obtaining a building permit adds an average of 23 days to project completion, with permit fees ranging from $200 to over $600 across 106 jurisdictions.
- ▪In 2023, 49% of home improvement spending—about $197 billion—went toward safety- and function-related replacements such as roofing, windows, and HVAC systems.
- ▪Homeowners of properties built before 1940 spent about half of their remodeling budget on essential replacements, compared to 9% for homes built in 2020 or later.
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Real Estate US homes are older than ever, but local permitting systems could slow down essential renovations By Allaire Conte Published May 16, 2026, 12:33 p.m. ET Originally Published by: San Antonio Housing ‘Hangover’: Why Homeowners Face a Historic Tax Hike The Hidden Trap About Refinancing: Homeowners in 5 States Are Paying More Mortgage Interest Rates Today: Rates Retreat to 6.36% Despite Rising Inflation While it’s well documented that regulatory friction is gumming up the new-construction pipeline, a new report offers a rare look at how local bureaucracy may also be affecting the homes already standing.
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