[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50162-50163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23530]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Report of 
Building or Zoning Permits Issued for New Privately-Owned Housing Units 
(Building Permits Survey)

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before November 30, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 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 Erica Filipek, U.S. Census Bureau, MCD, CENHQ 
Room 7K181, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233, telephone 
(301) 763-5161 (or via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request a three year extension of a 
currently approved collection of the 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. The current form is titled ``Report of 
New Privately-Owned Residential Building or Zoning Permits Issued''. We 
plan to change the title to ``Report of Building or Zoning Permits 
Issued for New Privately-Owned Housing Units'' to clarify the data 
being requested. 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. The Census Bureau also uses the 
detailed geographic data collected from State and local officials on 
new residential construction authorized by building permits in the 
development of annual population estimates which are used by government 
agencies to allocate funding and other resources to local areas. 
Policymakers, planners, businessmen/

[[Page 50163]]

women, and others also use the detailed geographic data 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. Building permits are public records so the 
information is not subject to disclosure restrictions.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau collects this information by mail; respondents 
return forms by mail or fax. Some respondents send electronic files or 
printouts of permit information in lieu of completing the form. We are 
currently developing a system to provide an option for Web-based 
reporting which is scheduled to be operational in 2010.
    The survey universe is comprised of approximately 19,375 local 
governments that issue building permits. Monthly, we collect this 
information by mail for about 8,200 permit-issuing jurisdictions and 
via electronic files or printouts of permits for about 625 
jurisdictions. Annually, we collect this information by mail for the 
remaining 10,550 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: 19,375.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 minutes for monthly respondents who 
report by mailing or faxing the form, 3 minutes for monthly respondents 
who send electronic files or printouts, and 23 minutes for annual 
respondents who report by mailing or faxing the form.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,539.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $420,745.
    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: September 24, 2009.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-23530 Filed 9-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-09-P