Builders Bulletin: Persistent Decline in Single-Family and Multifamily Permits

Significant changes are evident in the building permit landscape for the Seattle Metro Area, encompassing King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties, based on data as of November 2023. Single-family permits total 5,501, reflecting a year-to-date (YTD) decrease of 20% compared to the same period in 2022. Concurrently, multifamily permits stand at 10,175, indicating a more substantial YTD decline of 44% compared to the previous year. These figures underscore a notable downturn in both single-family and multifamily permits.

Master Builders Association Inducts Todd Levitt as President

BELLEVUE, Wash—January 11, 2021—The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) inducted Todd Levitt as its 2021 president of the board of directors during a virtual passing of the gavel ceremony in December 2020.

Levitt brings an extensive background in homebuilding to his role as MBAKS president. He has worked for more than 19 years across four western states on the land side of homebuilding—13 years as vice president of land at Pulte Homes and six years at Murray Franklyn as director of entitlements and government affairs. Levitt received his bachelor's in marine engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and his master's in finance from California State University, Los Angeles.

Levitt set the 2021 MBAKS agenda as one of service: to the communities that homebuilders work in, to the jurisdictions that make housing policy possible, and to the association’s members and staff.

“Service is something I am very passionate about that is engrained within me,” says Levitt. “If we can serve our jurisdictions in a way that helps them be more successful with their councils, staff, and residents, this should only help us in accomplishing our goals in delivering more housing that is desperately needed in our very fast-growing region.”

Over the last four years, Levitt has performed as the service chair for his son’s Boy Scout troop, where he has organized community events like canned food drives, trail clean-ups, and Santa Scouts, a program that generates food, clothing, and games for underserved children. He also has dedicated time and resources to Habitat for Humanity and helped Doxa Housing build homes in Mexico, as well as participating in MBAKS’ Rampathon, where accessibility ramps are built for those in critical need.

The newly inducted 2021 board of directors is rounded out with First Vice President Cameron McKinnon (Gamut360 Holdings), Second Vice President Traci Tenhulzen (Tenhulzen Residential), Secretary Luellen Smith (Rhino Wine Cellars & Cooling Systems), and Immediate Past President Brian Holtzclaw (Village Life).

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing, thriving, and inclusive region.

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