Stockholm Faces Building Permit Backlog Amid Application Surge
Stockholm's building permit applications rise 25%, leading to delays and frustrations.
Key Points
- • 25% increase in building permit applications in 2025 compared to the previous year.
- • Average processing time has increased to 112 days, 12% higher than 2024.
- • Only 80% of applications are processed within the statutory 10-week timeframe.
- • City exploring overtime and staff reallocation to tackle the backlog.
In 2025, Stockholm is grappling with a significant increase in building permit applications, reporting a 25% rise compared to the previous year. From January to May, nearly 3,500 applications were submitted, leading to long wait times and mounting frustration among applicants. According to Mikael Andersson Ståhl, the city's building permit chief, the current influx of applications resembles levels seen during economic booms, which has been unprecedented.
The processing time for permits has ballooned to an average of 112 days, a 12% increase from 2024, with only about 80% of cases resolved within the statutory timeframe of 10 weeks. This marks a decline from the previous year, where 83% of applications were handled on time, the lowest rate in six years. Some applicants are reportedly waiting up to six months before their applications are assigned to a handler.
In response to the backlog, the city is implementing measures such as offering overtime to staff and reallocating employees from other departments. However, Ståhl noted that future solutions, including additional hiring and potential AI integration, remain uncertain as efforts continue to ease the backlog and address applicant concerns.