House Approves Legislation to Expedite Federal Permitting Process
The House has approved NAHB-supported legislation that includes several amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting process that will provide home builders needed clarity and confidence as they seek federal permits for home building and development projects.
The Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act (H.R. 7023) respects environmental protections and provides pragmatic solutions to the CWA Section 404 dredge and fill permit program and Section 402 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program
Specifically, the legislation will:
- Improve the Nationwide Permit (NWP): Home builders pull some of the highest numbers of Section 404 NWPs issued annually. To assist with planning and permit backlogs, this legislation codifies the duration of an NWP from five to 10 years and streamlines the reissuance process.
- Reduce Permitting Uncertainty: The bill provides a defined timeline to when the EPA may veto a Section 404 permit, and places sensible timelines on when judicial reviews may be filed. Having this predictability will allow home builders to reliably proceed with construction once a permit is granted.
- Increase Confidence in NPDES Permits: In a major improvement to the Section 402 NPDES permit, this bill requires permit writers to provide clear and consistent parameters when issuing permits, while recognizing the use of best management practices. NAHB worked with lawmakers to add specific legislative language that would not affect how home builders use best management practices when managing stormwater runoff from construction sites. This will provide assurances to home builders that complying with their permits won’t include vague water quality standards, nor impose unobtainable numeric discharge limits.
The home building industry requires confidence in the CWA permitting process. H.R. 7023 respects environmental safeguards and makes significant strides in ensuring clarity in the regulatory process.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jun 16, 2025
Practical Strategies for Aging-in-Place RemodelsSeventy-three percent of industry leaders say that requests for aging-in-place (AIP) features have increased in the last five years, and 56% of remodelers are involved in home modification work relating to AIP, according to the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index. Learn more about AIP practices on July 10 during NAHB's AIP Shop Talk.
Jun 16, 2025
Permit Activity Declines for Fourth Consecutive MonthHousing permits continued a downhill trend for the fourth month in a row, pointing to a broader residential construction slowdown for 2025. Single-family permits were down in three out of four regions, while multifamily permits were up in three out of four regions. See the 10 largest markets for single-family and multifamily activity.
Latest Economic News
Jun 16, 2025
Permit Activity Weakens in April 2025Housing permits continued a downhill trend for the fourth month in a row, pointing to a broader residential construction slowdown for 2025. Over the first four months of 2025, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 320,259.
Jun 13, 2025
Household Real Estate Asset Value Falls to Start the YearThe market value of household real estate assets fell from $48.1 trillion to $47.9 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, according to the most recent release of U.S. Federal Reserve Z.1 Financial Accounts. The value of household real estate assets declined for three consecutive quarters after peaking at $48.8 trillion in the second quarter of 2024 but remains 2.1% higher over the year.
Jun 12, 2025
Producer Prices Rise in May: New Construction Input AnalysisPrices for inputs to new residential construction—excluding capital investment, labor, and imports—rose 0.2% in May, following a (revised) decrease of 0.2% in April. These figures are taken from the most recent Producer Price Index (PPI) report published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.