[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 152 (Monday, August 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48218-48219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19867]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Report of Privately-Owned Residential Building or Zoning Permits 
Issued (Building Permits Survey)

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to G. Daniel Sansbury, Census Bureau, Room 2105, FOB 
4, Washington, DC 20233-6900, (301) 457-1321 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request a three year extension of the 
currently approved Form C-404, Building Permits Survey. The Census 
Bureau produces statistics used to monitor activity in the large and 
dynamic construction industry. Given the importance of this industry, 
several of the statistical series are key economic indicators. Two such 
series are: (a) Housing Units Authorized by Building Permits; and (b) 
Housing Starts. Both are based on data from samples of permit-issuing 
places. These statistics help state and local governments and the 
Federal Government, as well as private industry, to analyze this 
important sector of the economy.
    The Census Bureau uses Form C-404 to collect data to provide 
estimates of the number and valuation of new residential housing units 
authorized by building permits. We use the data, a component of the 
index of leading economic indicators, to estimate the number of housing 
units started, completed, and sold, if single-family, and to select 
samples for the Census Bureau's demographic surveys. Policymakers, 
planners, businessmen/women, and others use the detailed

[[Page 48219]]

geographic data collected from state and local officials on new 
residential construction authorized by building permits to monitor 
growth and plan for local services and to develop production and 
marketing plans. The Building Permits Survey is the only source of 
statistics on residential construction for states and smaller 
geographic areas.

II. Method of Collection

    We collect this information by mail and electronically through 
files we download or receive on diskettes.
    Monthly, we collect this information by mail for 8,170 permit-
issuing jurisdictions and electronically for 550 jurisdictions. 
Annually, we collect this information by mail for 10,180 jurisdictions.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0094.
    Form Number: C-404.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,900.
    Estimated Time per Response: 16 minutes for monthly respondents who 
report by mail, 3 minutes for monthly respondents who report 
electronically, and 25 minutes for annual respondents who report by 
mail.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30,716.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $507,121.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 1, 2000.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-19867 Filed 8-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P