Murphy Administration Reports More Than 200,000 Housing Permits Approved Statewide

State data shows housing authorizations since 2018 exceed totals under the previous four governors combined, according to the Department of Community Affairs.

The Murphy Administration announced this week that New Jersey has surpassed a milestone of 200,000 housing units authorized for construction since 2018, citing new data from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). As of September 2025, the state has approved 204,790 housing permits, a figure officials say exceeds the total number of permits issued during the four prior gubernatorial administrations combined.

“When we came into office in 2018, we promised to cut through red tape and tackle the housing crisis head-on,” said Governor Murphy. “We are incredibly proud to announce that we’ve delivered on our promise and have exceeded 200,000 approved housing permits – more permits than any of the past four gubernatorial administrations. Through our Department of Community Affairs, we are cementing our legacy of expanding housing supply and building a stronger, fairer state for the people of New Jersey."

The data, released by DCA, reflects building permits submitted monthly by local construction officials across New Jersey and compiled through the state’s Construction Reporter system. Officials noted that the total is expected to rise further once permit data from the final quarter of 2025 becomes available.

According to the state’s figures, 104,480 housing units were authorized during the McGreevey Administration, 38,228 under the Codey Administration, 81,997 during the Corzine Administration, and 146,128 during the Christie Administration. The Murphy Administration’s total, officials said, is likely understated because Jersey City — the state’s second-most populous municipality — has not submitted its permit data to DCA.

The construction data is collected through reports filed by municipal construction offices and published monthly in the New Jersey Construction Reporter Online Magazine, with annual summaries available on DCA’s website. The reports track building permits and the number of dwelling units authorized for construction statewide.

State officials attributed the increase in housing permits to several policy and administrative changes implemented over the past several years. These include updates to the Uniform Construction Code, which is maintained by DCA’s Division of Codes and Standards and revised every three years to reflect changes in construction methods and technology.

DCA also cited expanded oversight and staffing support for municipal construction offices through its Office of Regulatory Affairs, aimed at helping municipalities process permit applications more efficiently. In addition, legislation enacted in 2021 allows for online submission of construction permits, a change intended to streamline early stages of development and reduce administrative delays.

More recently, state officials pointed to affordable housing reforms enacted in March 2024. That legislation established a new framework for municipalities to plan and build affordable housing and was followed by updated state housing calculations to guide local planning over the next decade. In 2025, DCA launched NJHOMES, an initiative designed to assist municipalities in developing affordable housing that aligns with local needs while contributing to statewide housing goals.

The administration said the cumulative impact of these measures has positioned New Jersey to increase housing production while supporting municipalities in addressing the needs of current and future residents.