Am I required to complete the survey?
No, your response to the survey is voluntary, although the production of population estimates and projections for the
State of Texas is mandated by state law (Chapter 468 of Texas Government Code). The collection of data is very important
and the foundation of the Texas Population Estimates and Projections Program. Many state agencies, local governments, and
private entities use this data to better serve the residents of Texas.
Do I need to update my mailing information if it has not changed?
No, if the current mailing information is correct there is no need to update it.
Should I include publicly owned buildings?
No, only include privately owned residential buildings.
We did not issue any building permits in the year requested. Do I need to return the survey?
Yes, we need an official survey on file stating that fact. Please check the appropriate box and return the survey.
I use to get a survey form for every county our city was located in. Why did I only received one survey form this year?
We have redesigned our form now only one form is needed for the majority of cities.
We do not issue building permits but, we do keep track of new residential housing from other sources can we use that?
Yes, we will accept other sources provided you have supporting documentation. Other sources might include: sewage (waste permits),
development permits, flood plain reports, utility connections, 911 addressing.
What are the differences between buildings and housing units?
Basically one single-family house will equal one housing unit. It becomes more complicated when there are apartments or multi-housing units involved.
One building can have several housing units. For example, an apartment complex with 4 units in each of its 3 buildings would be 12 housing units.
*Please review the definitions located in this section for further explanation.
We had someone move in a barn from another county and now they are living in it. Is that considered "Other (Move-ins of housing units)"?
Yes, people are repurposing many things as housing units. If your city or county allows this, that would be considered "other (move-in housing unit)".
There was a demolition of an old business to build a new one. Should I include that?
No, do not include any commercial information. Only residential units should be included on this form.
Demolition/Razing of Buildings
Number of permits issued for demolitions/razing of residential buildings.
Housing Unit
May be a house, an apartment, a group of rooms, or a single room occupied as separate living quarters.
Separate living quarters include those in which the occupants live and eat separately from other persons
in the building, and which have direct access from the outside of the building or through a common hall.
Move-ins
Housing units physically moved into the corporate city limits (or county, if applicable).
Privately owned residential building
All buildings owned by a private company or individual during the period of construction.
This includes all housing built by nonprofit organizations and “turnkey” housing
(i.e. housing which will be sold to a local public housing authority when completed).
Single-family houses
- Detached: - Include all new detached single-family houses.
- Attached: - Include all new single-family houses, known commonly as townhouses or row houses,
where each unit is separated from adjoining units by a wall that extends from ground to roof, no unit is above or
below another unit, each section has a separate heating system and each unit has separate utility meters.
Two or more family buildings
Units may be above or below other units; if built side by side the units should either share a common heating system,
have a common utility system without individual meters, or NOT have separating walls that extend from ground to roof.
