[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 36505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15543]


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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.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before August 24, 2015.

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 Raemeka Mayo, U.S. Census Bureau, MCD, CENHQ Room 
7K181, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233, telephone (301) 
763-4688 (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 the housing and construction industry sector of the economy.
    The Census Bureau uses Form C-404 to collect information on changes 
to the geographic coverage of the permit-issuing place, the number and 
valuation of new residential housing units authorized by building 
permits, and additional information on residential permits valued at 
$1M or more. The form is titled ``Report of Building or Zoning Permits 
Issued for New Privately-Owned Housing Units''. We use these data to 
estimate the number of housing units started, completed, and single-
family houses sold, and to select samples for the Census Bureau's 
demographic surveys. These data are a component of the index of leading 
economic indicators. The Census Bureau 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, businesses, and others also use the detailed geographic data 
to monitor growth, 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 19,875 local 
governments that issue building permits. Due to resource availability 
and time required to complete the data review and analysis, we collect 
data from some offices monthly and other offices annually. The Building 
Permits Survey monthly sample is also used as the control totals in the 
calculation of ratios used in the estimation methodology for the Survey 
of Construction. We collect this information monthly via Internet, mail 
or fax for about 7,675 permit-issuing jurisdictions and via electronic 
files or mailed printouts for about 400 jurisdictions. For the 
remaining jurisdictions, we collect this information annually via 
Internet, mail or fax for about 11,425 jurisdictions and via electronic 
files or mailed printouts for about 375 jurisdictions.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0094.
    Form Number(s): C-404.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State and Local Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 19,875.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 minutes for monthly respondents who 
report via Internet, mail or faxing the form, 23 minutes for annual 
respondents who report via Internet, mail or faxing the form and 3 
minutes for monthly and annual respondents who send electronic files or 
mail printouts.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 16,918.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 131 and 
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.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-15543 Filed 6-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P