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Frequently Asked Questions
for Building Permits Survey Respondents
indicate a document is in the Portable
Document Format (PDF). To view file you will need the Adobe(R) Acrobat(R) Reader which is
available for free from the Adobe web site.
I. General Questions - General questions about the Building Permits Survey II. Definition Questions - Definitions for housing types III. Classification Questions - Questions about how to classify data on the C-404 form IV. Data Questions - Questions about the data available from the Building Permits Survey I. GENERAL QUESTIONS 1. Why am I requested to complete this survey? 2. Am I required to complete and return this survey? 3. Should I complete the form if I don't issue any permits for the month? 4. Where can I get assistance to complete this form? 5. Can I submit my data via email? 6. Why is Item 434 not being collected? 7. Our jurisdiction does not have a building permit officer, who should complete this form? 8. Our jurisdiction no longer requires building permits, how should I complete the form? 9. How do I report geographical changes to the C-404 form? 10. Are you concerned that your reporting status has changed? 11. Can I change from a monthly reporter to reporting annually? 12. Can I change from an annual to a monthly reporter? 13. Is it best to fax or mail the form? 14. Why did I receive a mail request for survey months that I already sent into your office? 15. How do I report a name and/or address change? 16. What if I did not receive a C-404 form at the end of the month? II. DEFINITION QUESTIONS 1. What is a housing unit? 2. Why are mobile homes not included in this survey? 3. If the manufactured/mobile home is placed on a permanent foundation, is it counted in the building permits survey? 4. Are modular homes included in this survey? 5. What is the major difference between modular manufactured and HUD-coded manufactured homes? III. CLASSIFICATION QUESTIONS 1. What is considered privately-owned construction? 2. What is an attached single-family residence? 3. How do I classify attached single-family housing? 4. How do I report housing permits when our local government or the federal government is listed as the owner? 5. Are condominiums and cooperatives classified in this survey? 6. Where do I classify a "duplex"? 7. Do I include rebuilt homes in this survey? 8. How do I classify a moved or relocated residence? 9. What other building permits do I exclude? 10. Do I include foundation and interior finish permits in this survey? 11. Are senior citizen dwellings included in this survey? 12. Where do I classify non-residential construction projects? 13. Where do I report new privately-owned residential/commercial rental property? 14. How do I report new residential buildings that include commercial office space? 15. Do I include Large Projects in section 4 on the C-404 form? 16. How do I report permits for a multi-family building when individual units are permitted separately? IV. DATA QUESTIONS 1. How are the building permit data summarized? 2. When and where are building permits data published? 3. How can I get copies of my C-404 reported data? 4. How can I get County level data? 5. Why is the requested place level data not shown on the website? 
GENERAL QUESTIONS Why am I requested to complete this survey? The Building Permits Survey is a leading economic indicator used to track the housing industry. Local governments and organizations such as planning commissions, universities, libraries and home builders’ associations use the data to obtain valuable information about your community. The data are used in conjunction with other leading economic indicators by the Census Bureau for annual creation of population estimates. Policy makers and government agencies use the estimates to allocate funding and other resources to your local jurisdictions for various planning purposes. Return to Top Am I required to complete and return this survey? No, your response to this survey is voluntary, although the survey is mandated by law. The collection of the data are very important, because the data are used by economists, politicians, federal and local governments in determining trends in, not only your community but the overall national economy. Return to Top Should I complete the form if I don’t issue any permits for the month? Yes. If no new privately-owned residential permits were issued during the month, mark an “X” in the box provided in Section 3a and return the form to us. Return to Top Where can I get assistance to complete this form? Instructions for completing the survey are located on the back of the C-404 form. If you have any additional questions, you can reach the statisticians in the Residential Construction Branch on 800-845-8244. Return to Top Can I submit my data via email? Unfortunately, we are not set up to receive survey data electronically. Electronic submissions are still in the developmental stages for some surveys at the Census Bureau. However, we can accept facsimiles of our form or computer printouts from your system that contain the data needed for this survey. The Bureau will provide you with a self-addressed stamped envelope for your convenience. If you require an envelope please call us at 800-845-8249. For questions about this policy call 800-845-8244 or email us at mcd@census.gov. Return to Top Why is Item 434 not being collected? The Census Bureau terminated the collection of these data because local laws regulate what types of projects require permits and these vary greatly around the country. Many jurisdictions only require permits for projects above a certain dollar amount or above a certain square foot size. In addition, our survey only collects data on building or zoning permits issued, not plumbing and electrical permits. Since some plumbing and electrical work is included on building permits, there will be partial coverage of these data. Return to Top Our jurisdiction does not have a building permit officer, who should complete this form? The person who collects and/or issues building or zoning permits should complete the C-404 form. This person may be the Mayor, City Clerk, Tax Assessor, etc. Return to Top Our jurisdiction no longer requires building permits, how should I complete the form? If your building permit office no longer requires building permits for new privately-owned residential construction, place an “X” in the appropriate box in Section 2 on the C-404 form and include any comments in Section 5 (Comments). Return to Top How do I report geographical changes to the C-404 form? If your office had any type of geographic change, (it split into 2 or more offices, merged with another office or annexed land area), mark an “X” in the appropriate box in Section 2 on the C-404 form and give additional information on the type of change in Section 5 (Comments). Return to Top Are you concerned that your reporting status has changed? Every ten years, the Residential Construction Branch of the Census Bureau has the responsibility of selecting a new monthly Building Permits sample, from which monthly estimates of housing units authorized are derived. We will begin implementation of this new sample in January 2004. Some jurisdictions which reported only annually in the past are now being asked to report monthly. Your monthly or annual reporting status was determined using a statistical sampling technique which took into account previous years' residential construction activity and/or the current population statistics in your jurisdiction. If your reporting status has changed from annual to monthly, you are an important addition to this new sample. We need your response in order to provide the most accurate picture of the economy for business and government. Please complete your questionnaire in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please call us on 1-800-845-8244. . Return to Top Can I change from a monthly reporter to reporting annually? Nationally, every 10 years, the Residential Construction Branch statistically selects which permit offices should report monthly and which should report annually. If your reporting status has changed from annual to monthly, you are an important addition to this new sample. We need your response in order to provide the most accurate picture of the economy for business and government. Please make an effort to complete your questionnaire in a timely manner. However, if your jurisdiction has an extreme hardship completing this form every month, please call us to discuss alternatives at 800-845-8244. To view documentation of the sample methods used for the Building Permits Survey, please visit our website at http://www.census.gov/const/www/newresconstdoc.html. Return to Top Can I change from an annual to a monthly reporter? To change from an annual reporter to a monthly reporter, please call us on 800-845-8244 and request a reporting status change. Return to Top Is it best to fax or mail the form? Either method of receipt is acceptable. We are basically concerned with getting the information in a timely manner. If faxing the C-404 will expedite your process, then fax it to the number shown on the C-404, 800-438-8040. To avoid duplication of data received, please do not fax and mail the C-404 form for the same survey period. Return to Top Why did I receive a mail request for survey months that I already sent into your office? Due to mail delivery or handling problems, your C-404 form may have been misplaced. Also, at the end of a calendar year, we do a follow-up on those places in our system as not having reported for a given month during the year. To enable us to compile accurate statistics, a C-404 form is then mailed for those months that we have not received. Consequently, it is very important that you retain a copy of the form for your records. Return to Top How do I report a name and/or address change? The label area of the C-404 form reads “Please correct any errors in name, address, and ZIP code”. This can be achieved by any of the following: a. marking through the field that needs to be changed and writing the correct information, b. supplying the correct information in Section 5 (Comments), indicating that it is a correction or change, or c. calling us on 800-845-8244 to request a change in C-404 information. Return to Top What if I did not receive a C-404 form at the end of the month? If, for some reason, you do not receive your C-404 form by the first of the month, call the Residential Construction Branch on 800-845-8244 and request a replacement form. Someone will take your identification information (State, ID number on the form) and the time period for which the form is needed. A replacement form will be mailed to you. Return to Top DEFINITION QUESTIONS What is a housing unit? A housing unit is a house, an apartment, a group of rooms or a single room intended for occupancy as separate living quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live separately from any other individuals in the building and which have a direct access from the outside of the building or through a common hall. Return to Top Why are mobile homes not included in this survey? A mobile or manufactured home is a movable or portable dwelling constructed to be towed on its own chassis. It is manufactured with transportation gear as an integral part of the structure. manufactured/mobile homes structures are described as multiple-wide, and expandable. Manufactured/mobile homes are built under the HUD Code, which means they are inspected at the factory and are exempt from local government building inspections. Manufactured or mobile homes are included in the Census Bureau’s Manufactured Homes Survey (MHS) conducted by the Construction Expenditures Branch. To obtain information on this survey, visit the website, at http://www.census.gov/const/www/mhsindex.html or call 301-763-1605. Return to Top If the manufactured/mobile home is placed on a permanent foundation, is it counted in the building permits survey? No, if the manufactured home is HUD-coded, it is not counted in this survey. Return to Top Are modular homes included in this survey? Yes, modular or prefabricated homes are considered new construction and are included in this survey. Sections of modular housing are built in a factory and are transported to the construction site to be joined together on a permanent foundation. Modular homes are not inspected by HUD at the factory. Return to Top What is the major difference between modular manufactured and HUD-coded manufactured homes? Modular manufactured homes are constructed off-site, transported and assembled at the construction site and do not receive HUD certification at the factory. HUD-coded manufactured homes, however, always receive HUD certification and are built with transportation gear as an integral part of the structure. Return to Top CLASSIFICATION QUESTIONS What is considered privately-owned construction? Privately-owned construction is defined as all buildings owned by a private company or individual at the time the building permit is issued. This includes houses built by nonprofit organizations and “Turnkey” housing, i.e. housing owned privately during construction to be sold to a public housing authority when completed. Also, housing units built with private/public partnerships (such as military housing built by private developers) would be considered privately-owned construction. Return to Top What is an attached single-family residence? An attached single-family residence meets all of the following criteria: a. be separated from adjoining units by a wall that extends from ground to roof, b. be side by side with no other units above or below, c. have separate heating systems, and d. have separate utility meters. Return to Top How do I classify attached single-family housing? Include all new privately-owned attached single-family houses in item 101 on the C-404 form. (See: 2. What is an attached single-family residence? ) Return to Top How do I report housing permits when our local government or the federal government is listed as the owner? You don’t. Housing units that are completely owned by local or federal jurisdictions are considered publicly-owned and are not included in this survey. However, include housing owned and built by a private contractor and turned over to a public government agency upon completion, i.e. “Turnkey” contracts. Units built with private/public partnerships (such as military housing built by private developers) should be included. Return to Top Are condominiums and cooperatives classified in this survey? Condominiums and cooperatives are considered a type of home ownership, and this survey is only concerned with the structure of the residence. If the structure meets the criteria for an attached or detached single-family residence, then it is classified in item 101 on the C-404 form. If they meet the criteria for multifamily units, then classify in item 103, 104 or 105 as appropriate. If you have questions regarding structure classifications, please call us at 800-845-8244. Return to Top Where do I classify a “duplex”? Classify the units according to how the structure is built: a. enter in item 101 if units are attached single-family homes (See: 2. What is an attached single-family residence? ) and meet this critieria. b. enter in item 103 if units do not meet all attached single-family homes criteria. Return to Top Do I include rebuilt homes in this survey? Include rebuilt homes only when the home is totally rebuilt on an existing foundation. If the rebuilt homes are attached to an existing structure (wall, chimney, etc.), it is not included in the survey. Return to Top How do I classify a moved or relocated residence? A moved or relocated residence is not considered new construction, and is not included in the survey. Return to Top What other building permits do I exclude? Exclude permits issued for projects such as:
Do I include foundation and interior finish permits in this survey? Yes, include foundation and interior permits when they are issued separately and show a valuation of construction. Only place the valuation of construction under the appropriate type of structure and item number. To eliminate double counting do not list buildings and units when reporting foundation and interior permits. Buildings and units are reported later when the superstructure permit is issued. Please enter a zero for units and buildings when completing the form C-404. Return to Top Are senior citizen dwellings included in this survey? Senior citizen dwellings, assisted living facilities, and congregate care are counted in this survey, unless the structure is intended for 24-hour skilled nursing care. Some structures have units that are established for residents requiring 24-hour nursing care; please exclude these units from your data. If the residents will require 24-hour skilled nursing care, these facilities are usually called “nursing homes” and require the skill of a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or professional therapist. Exclude all units that require 24 hour skilled nursing care. If you are not sure how to classify these units, please call us at 800-845-8244. Return to Top Where do I classify non-residential construction projects? You don’t. This survey does not include non-residential construction. Please do not list non-residential construction on this form. Return to Top Where do I report new privately-owned residential/commercial rental property? Some building permit offices report residential rental properties, assisted living facilities and apartments as commercial permits. These type of permits are in the scope of the Building Permits Survey and should be reported on the C-404 form. Other commercial permits issued, such as professional buildings, churches, manufacturing plants, stores, hospitals, etc., are not in the scope of this survey. Return to Top How do I report new residential buildings that include commercial office space? Include all new housing units in mixed use buildings (buildings with residential and nonresidential space). Report the valuation of construction as an estimate for the residential portion of the structure only. Return to Top Do I include Large Projects in Section 4 on the C-404 form? Yes. Residential construction with a valuation of $500,000 or more should be detailed in Section 4 and included in Section 3 on the C-404 form. Please do not list non residential/ commercial structures in Section 4. Return to Top How do I report permits for a multi-family building when individual units are permitted separately? In order to publish our building permit data correctly, we need to know the total number of units that will be in a multi-family building. Do not report each individual permit separately on the C-404 form. When the first units of a mulit-family building are authorized, report the total number of buildings, units and valuation expected for the entire project. If this is not known, indicate this in the comments section on the C-404 form Return to Top DATA QUESTIONS How are the building permit data summarized? Building permit statistics are summarized for the U.S., and by Census Regions, Census Divisions, Metropolitan areas and counties. Data are also available for individual permit offices. The survey collects the number of housing units and the valuation of construction for new single family and multifamily structures. Return to Top When and where are building permits data published? Preliminary estimates for the United States and the four Census regions are available mid-month, every month in the “New Residential Construction Press Release”. To view the release dates, visit the following website: http://www.census.gov/const/www/newresconstdates.html. Revised estimates of the building permits data are available at the end of each month for the U.S., Census Regions, Census Divisions, Metropolitan Areas, Counties and individual permit offices. To view the release dates for the revised estimates, visit the following website: http://www.census.gov/const/C40/release.html . The State and Metropolitan Area data are available on the Internet as text files at http://www.census.gov/const/www/permitsindex.html . Data for individual permit offices and County level data are available on the Internet at http://censtats.census.gov/bldg/bldgprmt.shtml and are available as ASCII, comma delimited files. The individual permit office data are also available in printed format. Building Permit sample files and documentation are available on the Internet at the following website: http://www.census.gov/const/www/C40/sample.html. Return to Top How can I get copies of my C-404 reported data? Copies of previously reported data can be obtained upon request by calling our office 800-845-8244. It is advisable that before you fax or mail your form, please retain a copy for your records. Return to Top How can I get County level data? County data can be obtained by visiting our website at http://censtats.census.gov/bldg/bldgprmt.shtml. These files are also available as ASCII, comma delimited files. The monthly files show county totals for all counties in which every permit office is requested to report monthly (about 900), and the annual file shows all counties. Monthly data are available January 2000 forward and annual data from 1990 forward. Return to Top Why is the requested place level data not shown on the website? Data are not shown on the website because: a. at the time the data were published, we had not received the C-404 for the place, or b. because of the previous sample selection procedures, data for some places that report monthly are not included on our website. If data for the requested jurisdiction is submitted on time, and place level data are not shown on the website, please call 800-845-8244 for assistance. Return to Top 
For further information contact the Residential Construction Branch at
301-763-5160.
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Last revised: November 13, 2008