[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53286-53287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27135]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
Report of Privately-Owned Building or Zoning Permits Issued
(Building Permits Survey)
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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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: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 15,
1997.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Linda P. Hoyle, Bureau of the Census,
Manufacturing and Construction Division, Room 2105, FOB 4, Washington,
DC 20233-6900, (301) 457-1321.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Bureau of the Census 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 Bureau of the Census uses Form C-404 to collect data to provide
estimates of the number and valuation of new residential housing units
authorized by building permits. 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. Policymakers,
planners, businessmen/women, and others use the detailed geographic
data collected from state and local officials on new residential
construction authorized by building permits 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.
We are making the following changes to the form:
a. No longer collect data on publicly-owned construction authorized
by building permits because we no longer need these data.
b. Combined two separate items, single-family houses attached and
single-family houses detached, into one item because we no longer
needed to collect these data separately.
c. We deleted one question, ``Are you aware of any new permit-
issuing jurisdictions?'' because we no longer need this information.
We will collect data for new residential nonhousekeeping buildings;
new nonresidential buildings; additions, alterations, and conversions;
and demolitions and razing of buildings only through a reimbursable
agreement. If we do not get that agreement, we will collect data for
only new privately-owned residential buildings authorized by building
permits.
II. Method of Collection
We collect this information by mail and electronically through
files we download or receive on diskettes.
Monthly, we collect this information by mail for 8,170 permit-
issuing jurisdictions and electronically for 550 jurisdictions.
Annually, we collect this information by mail for 10,180 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: 18,900.
Estimated Time Per Response: 16 minutes for monthly respondents who
report by mail, 3 minutes for monthly respondents who report
electronically, and 25 minutes for annual respondents who report by
mail.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30,716.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: We estimate that the cost to the
respondents to provide the data will be $438,636 based on an average
hourly salary of $14.65 \1\ for state and local government employees.
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\1\ Taken from the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State and
Local Government Employment.
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Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., 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.
[[Page 53287]]
Dated: October 8, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-27135 Filed 10-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
