Q. How should I report new housing units created through a renovation or addition?
A. If a renovation or addition results in additional housing units, please report only the number of new units created, using the category that reflects the final building type. Example: if a single-family home is converted into a top/bottom duplex, you would report 1 new unit in the 2-Unit Building category.
Q. How should I report mixed-use buildings that include both commercial space and residential units?
A. Enter only the residential units, using the category that reflects the number of dwelling units. Example: Two apartments above a business, report in the 2-Unit Building category.
Q. How would you categorize a duplex that is split down the middle?
A. For a side-by-side duplex, if each unit has its own entrance, living space, and separate utility/heating systems, classify each as a single-family house. If the units share heating or utilities, classify as a 2-Unit Building. For stacked duplexes (one unit above the other) always classify as a 2-Unit Building.
Q. How should I report mobile homes or manufactured housing?
A. Report only if placed on a permanent foundation and classified as Single-Family Houses. If not permanently affixed, do not report.
Q. How should I report permits for multi-building campuses (like senior living or student housing) where some buildings are residential and some are institutional?
A. Report only buildings intended to contain new housing units. Exclude institutional buildings such as nursing care, dorms, or administrative buildings.
Q. What if a project is permitted but later canceled?
A. If the permit was issued and then canceled within the same year, you may exclude it.
Q. Our community issued a demolition permit for a housing unit and a building permit for a new unit on the same site in 2025. How should we report this?
A. Report both separately. Count the housing unit that was removed in your demolition totals. Count the new housing unit in your building permit totals.
Q. What should I do if my community does not issue building permits for housing units?
A. Please still report the number of new housing units created in 2025. Include units that were approved locally for construction and either under construction or expected to begin construction in 2025. This ensures your community’s housing activity is counted even if no permits are formally issued.
Q. What should I do if my community does not issue certificates of occupancy?
A. Please report the number of new housing units that became habitable or occupied in 2025. If your community does not track COs, provide the best available count of units completed and ready for occupancy.
Q. What should I do if my community does not issue demolition permits for housing units?
A. Please report the number of housing units that were demolished in 2025, regardless of whether a demolition permit was issued. Include all demolitions that resulted in a loss of housing units, but exclude accessory buildings or non-residential structures.
Q. What counts as income-restricted affordable housing?
A. Include any housing units that are legally or contractually restricted to households at a specified income level, typically based on a percentage of the area median income (AMI). This includes units with long-term affordability restrictions required by law, ordinance, or funding agreements. If you are unsure whether a unit qualifies, provide your best estimate and note it on the form.
Q. Why do you categorize housing units in this way?
A. We follow Census (Form C-404) definitions as closely as possible to maintain consistency with national standards. This ensures our regional housing estimates are accurate and comparable and allows us to use Census data to fill gaps for municipalities that do not report or are not required to report under LD 1184.
Q. How important is it to classify units into the correct categories?
A. For both building permits and certificates of occupancy, the total number of new housing units is the most important piece of information we use. While the categories help us understand the types of housing being built, the overall count is what matters most for regional and statewide tracking. If you are uncertain about a category, provide your best estimate and note it on the form, we can make adjustments during our review if needed.