Questions or Inspections

Please allow 24 to 48 hours for inspections.  If you need to cancel, please call immediately. (860) 691-4114

Certificates of Approval/Certificates of Occupancy/Eversource Releases

Certificates of Approval will be issued a MINIMUM of 1 week after inspection and are mailed to the homeowner.

Certificates of Occupancy will be issued a MINIMUM of 3 days after all required documents are received.  Necessary documents are always the following: Permit to Discharge, Concrete Statement, Insulation R Values, Blower/Duct test, and when necessary, the Zoning Certificate from the Beach community if applicable.

Please allow a minimum of 48 hours from the time of inspection for Eversource clearance.

Staff

Building Department role

The Building Department is responsible for issuing permits and performing inspections for residential and commercial construction, including but not limited to structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, supplemental heaters, and temporary tents.

The building department will answer code related questions, and enforce the State of Connecticut Building Statutes and the current adopted code. The 2020 Connecticut State Building Code is based on the International Code Council’s widely adopted 2021 International Codes and references the ICC A117.1-2009 standard for accessibility, applies to all projects with permit applications filed from October 1, 2022.  For more information, please see the Connecticut State Building Code.

The building department will investigate tenant/landlord issues as it pertains to the building code and life safety.

The Building Official is the ADA Coordinator.

Building Permit Information, Values and Fees

The provided permitting information and application forms are for new structures and/or improvements to structures.

R108.3 Building Permit Valuations

The applicant for a permit shall provide an estimated permit value at the time of application. Permit valuations shall include total value of work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems. If, in the opinion of the building official, the valuation is underestimated on the application, the permit shall be denied, unless the applicant can show detailed estimates to meet the approval of the building official. Final building permit valuation shall be set by the building official.

Compute Building Permit Fees

Enter Estimated Value of Work

        

Computed Fees




The fee schedule is set by Town Ordinance section 150.015 Fees for Building and Demolition Permits.

The fee for any building permit shall be at the rate of $30 for the first $1,000 of construction value and $13 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof plus applicable State Education fee and Fire Marshal fee (for commercial permits).

Beginning July 1, 2023, the Fire Marshal is charging an additional fee for plan review of commercial properties. This fee shall be 65% of the building permit fee.

The fee for a demolition permit shall be $100.00.

The fee for a Certificate of Occupancy shall be $50.00. This fee shall be paid at the time of the initial New Building Permit Application

The fee for Plan Review for commercial projects over $150,000 shall be charged based upon the current ICC fee schedule.

Re-inspection

1) A re-inspection fee of $50 will be charged to the property owner or contractor for any of the following conditions:

(a) Failure to comply with Building Code requirements that were cited during a previous inspection.

(b) If the work to be re-inspected is not ready for inspection upon arrival of the Building Inspector or Assistant Building Inspector;

(c) If no one is present to meet the Inspector and prior arrangements have not been made. The Inspector, at his or her discretion, may waive the fee if an emergency situation is demonstrated; and

(d) If the scope of work has changed and prior approval was not obtained from the building official.

2) The fee must be paid prior to scheduling another inspection.

Property Information and Research

All building records (street files) are maintained in paper format. We DO NOT have a digital file retention system.  To search building records you must visit the office during normal business hours. We do not provide information via email, fax or phone.

The Field Card for each address is available on the Vision Appraisal portal. Digital maps that are ONLY FOR ASSESSOR USE are available on the GIS system. Within the GIS system, locate the property using the street address, click on Details, then click on Parcel Details.

Building plans for single family residential dwellings may be returned to the owner after issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) upon receipt of a written request signed by the owner.

Exemptions from the State Building Code

Additional Department or Agency Approvals for Building Projects

All building permits require review and approval from the building official and zoning official pursuant to State Statute.  Further, the Town of East Lyme Ordinances require approval from the Tax Collector for verification of current tax status.

Please be aware that some work/projects will also require a Zoning permit, from the Town of East Lyme Zoning Department (sheds, pools, additions, renovations, new homes, all commercial projects, etc).

Projects that are located within 300′ of a wetland or watercourse may also require an Inland Wetland Permit, for either Agent approval or Agency approval. Please visit the Inland Wetlands Agency page for more information.

Properties supported by Private Septic System or Private well will require a Ledge Light Health Department B100a application.

Beach Zoning Districts

Some Niantic properties are located in separately zoned Beach Zoning Districts which require their own Zoning approval, such as Giants Neck Beach Association, Crescent Beach Association, and Black Point Association