[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 42840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20564]



[[Page 42840]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Survey of Building and Zoning Permit Systems

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 15, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork 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 produces statistics used to monitor activity in 
the large and dynamic construction industry. 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 
accuracy of the Census Bureau statistics regarding the amount of 
construction authorized depends on data supplied by building and zoning 
officials throughout the country.
    The Census Bureau uses Form C-411 to obtain information from state 
and local building permit officials needed for updating the universe of 
permit-issuing places. The questions pertain to the legal requirements 
for issuing building or zoning permits in the local jurisdictions. 
Information is obtained on such items as geographic coverage and types 
of construction for which permits are issued.
    The universe of permit-issuing places is the sampling frame for the 
Building Permits Survey (BPS) and the Survey of Construction. These two 
sample surveys provide widely used measures of construction activity, 
including the economic indicators, Housing Units Authorized by Building 
Permits and Housing Starts.
    We plan to make the following changes to the form:
    a. Delete two questions:
    (1) ``What kind of permits does your office issue?'' and
    (2) ``When did your government first begin issuing permits?''
    The first question asked for the same information as another 
question. We no longer need the information requested in the second 
question.
    Add two questions:
    (1) ``If the jurisdiction listed in Section A.1 is a county, does 
your office issue permits for portions of jurisdictions located in 
other counties?'' and
    (2) ``If the jurisdiction listed in Section A.1 is a city, town, 
village, borough or township, is it in more than one county?''
    We plan to request information about permits issued for new 
residential additions and alterations of buildings.
    We need the above information to ensure that we update our universe 
of permit-issuing places correctly for these types of places.

II. Method of Collection

    The form is sent to a jurisdiction when the Census Bureau has 
reason to believe that a new permit system has been established or an 
existing one has changed, based on information from a variety of 
sources including survey respondents, regional councils and Census' 
Geography Division which keeps abreast of changes in corporate status. 
Responses typically approach 100 percent.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0350.
    Form Number: C-411.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State and Local Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000 per year.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 500 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondents is 
estimated to be $8,255.
    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 10, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-20564 Filed 8-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P