[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 17 (Friday, January 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 5414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01481]



[[Page 5414]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Report of Building or Zoning Permits Issued for New 
Privately-Owned Housing Units.
    Form Number(s): C-404.
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0094.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Burden Hours: 17,594.
    Number of Respondents: 19,425.
    Average Hours per Response: 9 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The Census Bureau is requesting a three-year 
extension of a currently approved collection of the Form C-404, 
otherwise known as the Building Permits Survey (BPS). The key estimates 
from the survey are the numbers of new housing units authorized by 
building permits; data are also collected on the valuation of the 
housing units.
    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 have been designated 
as Principal Economic Indicators. Two such indicators are directly 
dependent on the key estimates from the BPS: (1) New Residential 
Construction (which includes Housing Units Authorized by Building 
Permits, Housing Starts, and Housing Completions), and (2) New 
Residential Sales. These statistics help state, local, and federal 
governments, as well as private industry, analyze this important sector 
of the economy. The building permit series are available monthly based 
on a sample of building permit offices, and annually based on the 
entire universe of permit offices. Published data from the survey can 
be found on the Census Bureau's Web site at www.census.gov/permits.
    The Census Bureau collects these data primarily by mail using the 
Form C-404 or online using an online version of the same questionnaire. 
Some data are also collected via receipt of electronic files. Form C-
404 requests information on the number and valuation of new residential 
housing units authorized by building permits.
    The Census Bureau uses the Form C-404 to collect data that provide 
estimates of the number and valuation of new residential housing units 
authorized by building permits. About one-half of the permit offices 
are requested to report monthly. The remaining offices are surveyed 
once per year. We use the data, a component of the index of leading 
economic indicators, to estimate the number of housing units 
authorized, started, completed, and sold (single-family only). The 
Census Bureau also uses these data to select samples for its 
demographic surveys. In addition, the Census Bureau uses the detailed 
geographic data in the development of annual population estimates that 
are used by government agencies to allocate funding and other resources 
to local areas. Policymakers, planners, businesses, and others use the 
detailed geographic data to monitor growth and plan for local services, 
and to develop production and marketing plans. The BPS is the only 
source of statistics on residential construction for states and smaller 
geographic areas.
    Affected Public: State, local, or Tribal governments.
    Frequency: Monthly and annually.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 182.

    OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0336, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) 
or email ([email protected]).

    Dated: January 18, 2013.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-01481 Filed 1-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P