[Federal Register: April 21, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 77)]
[Notices]               
[Page 21307-21308]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21ap08-38]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau

 
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey of 
Building and Zoning Permit Systems

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

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 June 20, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

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 Erica.Mary.Filipek@census.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request a three-year extension of the 
currently approved collection of the Form C-411, Survey of Building and 
Zoning Permit Systems. The Census Bureau produces statistics used to 
monitor activity in the large and dynamic construction industry. 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 accuracy of the Census Bureau statistics regarding the 
amount of construction authorized depends on data supplied by building 
and zoning officials throughout the country.

[[Page 21308]]

    The Census Bureau uses the Survey of Building and Zoning Permit 
Systems to obtain information from state and local building permit 
officials needed for updating the universe of permit-issuing places. 
The questions pertain to the legal requirements for issuing building or 
zoning permits in the local jurisdictions. Information is obtained on 
such items as geographic coverage and types of construction for which 
permits are issued.
    The universe of permit-issuing places is the sampling frame for the 
Building Permits Survey (BPS) and the Survey of Construction (SOC). 
These two sample surveys provide widely used measures of construction 
activity, including the economic indicators Housing Units Authorized by 
Building Permits and Housing Starts.

II. Method of Collection

    The form is sent to a jurisdiction when the Census Bureau has 
reason to believe that a new permit system has been established or an 
existing one has changed, based on information from a variety of 
sources including survey respondents, regional councils and the Census 
Bureau's Geography Division which keeps abreast of changes in corporate 
status.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0350.
    Form Number: C-411.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State or local government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 500.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
    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: April 15, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-8425 Filed 4-18-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P