Show All Answers

1. What information do I need to apply for a permit for a building, structure, addition, deck, shed, pool, etc.?

1. A site plan of your property showing the location of all existing buildings/structures on your property and the location of the proposed building/structure with the size and distances to all property lines. (The distance to the front property line shall be to the center of the road or street).
2. Construction documents shall show sufficient information to determine code compliance such as footing, foundation, piers, size of materials to be used for joist, walls, ceiling, header, beams, rafters, sheathing, type of siding, roofing and dimensions. This is only a partial list for example purposes. Other information is required for more complex projects.
3. Estimated value of the work to be performed which shall include materials and labor. If in the opinion of the Building Official the valuation is underestimated the permit may be denied unless the applicant can show a detailed estimate to meet the approval of the Building Official.
4. In certain cases a building permit will not be issued without first receiving approval from other departments and agencies which have regulations governing land use, i.e., Zoning, Health Department, Public Works.
5. The following inspections are required by the State Building Code:
Footing, foundation, damp proofing, footing drains, framing, electrical, plumbing, heating, insulation and C.O.

Other inspections may be required depending on the scope.

2. What type of work/projects require an owner/agent to apply for a permit?

SECTION R105 PERMITS

R105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done,
shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

R105.1.1 By whom application is made. Application for a permit shall be made by the owner in fee or by an authorized agent. If the application is made by a person other than the
owner in fee, it shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the owner or a signed statement of the applicant witnessed by the building official or such official’s designee to the effect
that the proposed work is authorized by the owner in fee and that the applicant is authorized to make such application. If the authorized agent is a contractor, the provisions of section 20-338b of the Connecticut General Statutes shall be followed. The full names and addresses of the owner, agent and the responsible officers, if the owner or agent is a corporate body, shall be stated in the application.

R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws, statutes, regulations, or ordinances of the town, city or borough, or the State of
Connecticut. Permits shall not be required for the following work:

Building:

1. Fences not over 6 feet high.
2. Retaining walls that are not over three feet in height measured from finished grade at the bottom of the wall to finished grade at the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
3. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity
does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
4. Sidewalks, driveways and on-grade concrete or masonry patios not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below.
5. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops
and similar finish work not involving structural changes or alterations.
6. Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
7. Swings, non-habitable tree houses and other playground equipment.
8. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and which do not require additional support.

Electrical:

Repairs and maintenance: A permit shall not be required for minor repair work, including replacement of lamps and fuses or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Gas:

1. Portable heating or cooking appliances with a self-contained fuel supply.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a
power grid.

Mechanical:

1. Portable heating appliances with a self-contained fuel supply.
2. Portable ventilation appliances.
3. Portable cooling units.
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping contained within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by Chapters 18 through 24 of this code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative coolers.
7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of one horsepower or less.
8. Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a
power grid.

Plumbing:

1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection
made as provided in Sections R105 and R109 of this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve
or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.