Oklahoma Town Builds Homes at Record Speed

In Claremore, Oklahoma, a town of about 20,000, a new approach to home construction is drastically cutting down building times. Developer Aaron Sprik recently received permits for four duplexes within 24 hours, a stark contrast to typical lengthy approval processes. This speed is due to Claremore's catalog of 29 preapproved architectural plans for various housing types.

Since 2022, builders in Claremore have used these free, pre-approved designs for 27 homes, representing almost 40% of new constructions in the city's historic core. This system simplifies the permitting process, allowing builders to bypass individual plan reviews. This not only accelerates construction but also reduces costs, with potential savings of 1-2% for builders.

Claremore's initiative is part of a growing national movement to streamline housing development. The town has guided other cities, like South Bend, Indiana, which has built 223 homes using similar preapproved plans. Federal grants are now available to cities willing to adopt such programs, aiming to address the U.S. need for millions of new homes.

Permitting delays can add tens of thousands of dollars to housing costs in major cities. Claremore's program not only fast-tracks construction but also helps influence urban aesthetics by offering plans that fit harmoniously into existing neighborhoods, addressing homeowner concerns about new developments.