Southern and Midwestern cities lead nation in permitting efficiency

Southern and Midwestern cities dominate the latest Labrynth Red Tape Index 500, an annual ranking that tracks permitting efficiency across major U.S. cities.

The results were drawn from Labrynth’s AI-driven analysis of 500 municipalities. Fort Worth, Texas, ranked first, followed by Fort Wayne (Ind.), Pocatello (Idaho), Cedar Rapids (Iowa), Lakeville (Minn.), Grand Prairie (Texas), Maple Grove (Minn.), Minnetonka (Minn.), Duluth (Minn.), and Taunton (Mass.).

Cambridge, (Mass.) was at the bottom of the pack, preceded by Germantown (Md.), Los Angeles (Calif.), Watsonville (Calif.), Danbury (Conn.), Fishers (Ind.), Rogers (Ariz.), Providence (R.I.), Macon (Ga.), and Winter Haven (Fla.). The presence of Los Angeles among the inefficient permitting communities bodes poorly for the city given its rebuilding challenge from recent natural disasters.

Labrynth’s CEO noted that every additional day in permitting may delay housing reconstruction and broader business activity.