[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 173 (Thursday, September 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54889-54890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21880]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. 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 5, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 M. Filipek, U.S. Census Bureau, MCD, CENHQ 
Room 7K057, 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 form is titled ``Report of Building 
or Zoning Permits Issued for New Privately-Owned Housing Units''. 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 that are used by government 
agencies to allocate funding and other resources to local areas. 
Policymakers, planners, businessmen/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; therefore, the information is not subject to disclosure 
restrictions.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents may submit their completed form by mail, Internet or 
fax. Some respondents choose to email electronic files or mail 
printouts of permit information in lieu of returning the form.
    The survey universe is comprised of approximately 19,425 local 
governments that issue building permits. Monthly,

[[Page 54890]]

we collect this information via Internet, mail or fax for about 8,225 
permit-issuing jurisdictions and via electronic files or printouts of 
permits for about 650 jurisdictions. Annually, we collect this 
information via Internet, mail or fax for the remaining 10,550 
jurisdictions.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0094.
    Form Number: C-404. You can obtain information on the proposed 
content at this Web site: www.census.gov/mcd/clearance.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State and Local Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 19,425.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 8 minutes for monthly respondents who 
report via Internet, mail or faxing the form, 3 minutes for monthly 
respondents who send electronic files or printouts, and 23 minutes for 
annual respondents who report via Internet, mail or faxing the form.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,594.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $416,012.
    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 30, 2012.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-21880 Filed 9-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-09-P