Connecticut Building Codes

Important: Per CGS §22a-90 through §22a-112 (Connecticut Coastal Management Act), all 36 coastal towns along Long Island Sound must consider coastal resources in their land use decisions. The coastal boundary generally extends inland from the mean high water line. Within this boundary: (1) a coastal site plan review is required by the municipal P&Z commission for most construction activities, (2) structures must be consistent with the policies of the Coastal Management Act, (3) tidal wetlands and coastal flood hazard areas have additional requirements, (4) DEEP may require separate permits for work affecting tidal wetlands, coastal structures, or water-dependent uses. The 36 coastal towns include: Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, Orange, West Haven, New Haven, East Haven, Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Lyme, East Lyme, Waterford, New London, Groton, Stonington, and others.

Important: Connecticut has a unique governance structure: all land is within one of 169 towns (municipalities). Counties exist only as geographic/judicial boundaries and have no governmental function (county government was abolished in 1960). Every property is within a specific town, and the town building official is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for building code enforcement. Building permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy are all issued at the town level. The CSBC 2022 is administered statewide by DAS OSBI, but enforced locally by each town's building official. Towns cannot adopt local amendments that weaken the state code, but some towns may have stricter local requirements (e.g., zoning, wetlands, historic districts).

Important: Per CGS §22a-36 through §22a-45 (Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act), each municipality must establish an Inland Wetlands Agency (IWA) to regulate activities in and near inland wetlands and watercourses. Activities within a regulated area (wetlands, watercourses, and upland review areas) require a permit from the local IWA before construction can begin. The upland review area varies by town but is typically 100-200 feet from the wetland boundary. Regulated activities include any activity that may alter or affect wetlands, such as earth removal, grading, construction, and installation of impervious surfaces. The IWA permit is separate from and in addition to the building permit.