Approvals for a new single family home in Connecticut

Due Diligence & Studies

• Boundary / ALTA Survey

  Required

  A boundary survey fixes the lot lines the building is placed from.

• Topographic Survey

  Likely

  Gives the grades the house, driveway and drainage are drawn on.

• Geotechnical Investigation / Report

  Check locally

  Only where the soils, a slope or the building department call for borings.

• Wetlands Delineation

  Check locally

  Likely needed for a project like this. Check for wetlands, floodplain or other environmental conditions.

• Flood / Floodplain Study

  Check locally

  Likely needed for a project like this. Check for wetlands, floodplain or other environmental conditions.

• Stormwater / Drainage Study

  Check locally

  Some towns ask for a drainage plan for a new building.

Land Use & Entitlements

• Variance (Zoning Board of Appeals)

  Check locally

  The hearing starts within 65 days of the application and the board decides within 65 days after it ends.

  Agency

  Zoning Board of Appeals

  Clock

  Set by law

  Source

  cga.ct.gov

• Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness

  Check locally

  Only in a historic district, where the commission reviews new buildings.

  Agency

  Local historic district commission

  State rule

  Only in a local historic district. The commission holds a hearing and decides within 65 days or the certificate is approved.

  Clock

  Set by law

  Source

  cga.ct.gov

• Zoning Permit

  Required

  The zoning office confirms the new building meets the setbacks, height and lot coverage. In Connecticut no building permit issues without the zoning enforcement officer certifying in writing that the work conforms to zoning.

  Agency

  Zoning enforcement officer

  Source

  cga.ct.gov

• HOA or Architectural Review Approval

  Check locally

  An HOA may need to approve the house design before it is built.

Design & Permit Documents

• Civil Design Package

  Check locally

  Many towns ask for a lot grading and utility plan for a new building.

• Architectural Design Package

  Required

  The building drawings, from design through the permit set.

• Structural Design Package

  Likely

  The structural drawings the building permit is reviewed on.

• Fire Protection Design Package

  Check locally

  Only where the building code or the town requires sprinklers.

• Foundation Design

  Likely

  The foundation design for the new building.

• Energy Code Package (2021 IECC with Connecticut Amendments)

  Required

  The 2022 State Building Code adopts the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code with state amendments. Air leakage testing is required.

  Agency

  Local building official

  Source

  portal.ct.gov

• Permit Drawing Set

  Required

  The signed and sealed drawing sets the building department reviews.

• Issued-for-Construction Drawing Set

  Likely

  The final drawings the trades build from, with the permit comments included.

Environmental & Site Authorizations

• Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Approval

  Check locally

  The town commission reviews the erosion and sediment control plan. Under five acres its approval also covers the state stormwater permit.

  Agency

  Town planning and zoning, inland wetlands or conservation commission

  Source

  portal.ct.gov

Utilities & Infrastructure

• Water Service Approval

  Check locally

  Likely needed for a project like this, since new buildings need new utility service.

• Sewer Service Approval

  Check locally

  Likely needed for a project like this, since new buildings need new utility service.

• Electric Service Approval

  Check locally

  The electric company that serves the town confirms it can serve the site and designs the new service.

  Agency

  Eversource, United Illuminating or the municipal electric utility

  Source

  portal.ct.gov

• Road Opening Permit

  Likely

  A new driveway or utility connection in the street needs a road opening permit.

Permits & Construction Authorizations

• Demolition Permit

  Check locally

  Usual when an existing structure is demolished.

  Agency

  Local building official

  State rule

  The owner and a licensed demolition contractor sign the permit. A town may add a waiting period of up to 180 days.

  Source

  cga.ct.gov

• Building Permit

  Required

  The building official must issue or refuse the permit within 30 days after the application is filed.

  Agency

  Local building official

  Clock

  Set by law

  Source

  cga.ct.gov

• Plumbing Permit

  Required

  The plumbing permit, reviewed on the same clock as the building permit.

• Electrical Permit

  Required

  The local building official issues it under the State Building Code, which adopts the 2020 National Electrical Code.

  Agency

  Local building official

  Source

  portal.ct.gov

• Mechanical / HVAC Permit

  Required

  The heating and cooling permit, reviewed with the building permit.

• Fire Protection Permit

  Check locally

  Only where the building code or the town requires sprinklers.

• Retaining Wall Permit

  Check locally

  Only if the scope includes it.

• Temporary Power Permit

  Likely

  Lets the utility connect temporary power for construction.

• Septic System Approval (Local Director of Health)

  Check locally

  Only with a well or septic system, or food service.

  Agency

  Local director of health or health district

  State rule

  A site on a septic system needs an approval to construct from the local director of health before the system is built.

  Source

  portal.ct.gov

• Certificate of Occupancy

  Required

  Every occupiable building needs it before use.

  Agency

  Local building official

  State rule

  The building official issues it once the zoning officer and the local fire marshal certify the finished building in writing.

  Source

  portal.ct.gov

Construction Readiness

• Construction Entrance Installed

  Likely

  A stabilized entrance so trucks do not track soil onto the road.

• Erosion / Sediment Controls Installed

  Likely

  Silt fence and controls in place before digging, as the erosion control plan shows.

• Call Before You Dig Notice

  Likely

  Mark the dig area, then notify the clearinghouse at least two full working days before digging. A ticket lasts 30 days.

  Agency

  Call Before You Dig, the state clearinghouse

  Clock

  Set by law

  Source

  eregulations.ct.gov

• Survey Control Established

  Likely

  The surveyor sets control points so the building goes in the right place.

• Required Site Signage / Postings Complete

  Likely

  The permit placard and the labor postings on site.

• Site Ready to Mobilize

  Likely

  The milestone for your target construction start.

Sources

• cga.ct.govVariance (Zoning Board of Appeals)
• cga.ct.govHistoric District Certificate of Appropriateness
• portal.ct.govEnergy Code Package (2021 IECC with Connecticut Amendments)
• portal.ct.govErosion and Sediment Control Plan Approval
• portal.ct.govElectric Service Approval
• cga.ct.govDemolition Permit
• portal.ct.govSeptic System Approval (Local Director of Health)
• eregulations.ct.govCall Before You Dig Notice

Items with no source link come from the national list and are decided by the town or the site. Ask the local office.

Other project types in Connecticut

• New multifamily building
• Retail tenant fit out
• Deck or porch