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Building Department

  

The Town of Bethany Building Department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Connecticut State Building Code, along with relevant town ordinances. The department’s role is to safeguard the public health, welfare, and safety through the permitting process and demonstrate compliance of the structural and safety requirements of the State Building Code. 

The department is responsible for the issuance of all building permits for the design and constructions related to residential and commercial structures within the town. The department handles all permits related to electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning and demolition. The process includes the review of plans for technical compliance with the CT State Building Code, and the inspection of the project during various phases of construction. 

Inspections not related to new constructions would be issued a Certificate of Approval as assurance that the work performed on the permit issued for the job substantially meets the final inspection requirement of the Building Code as inspected and granted by the Building Official.

The issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or a Certificate of Compliance at a project’s completion is a property owner’s assurance that the construction performed substantially meets the structural and safety requirements of the State of Connecticut Building Code and the Town of Bethany.



Building Permitting Application Process

 To obtain permits for structures or uses, please download the below application processes.

Intro to Mechanical Permits

Intro to Building Permits

Request for Final Inspection

 

Department Overview

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WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF A BUILDING OFFICIAL?

  • Each town in Connecticut is charged with appointing a building official whose duties are 
    defined under CT State Statute and the State Building Code.
  • An excerpt from the State Building Code:
    The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this code. 
    The building official shall have the authority to adopt policies and procedures in order to 
    clarify the application of its provisions. Such policies and procedures shall be in compliance 
    with the intent and purpose of this code. Such policies and procedures shall not have the 
    effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this code, nor shall they have the 
    effect of establishing requirements in excess of those set forth in this code.
    The building official shall receive applications, review construction documents and issue 
    permits for the erection, and alteration, demolition and moving of buildings and structures, 
    inspect the premises for which such permits have been issued and enforce compliance with 
    the provisions of this code

ARE PERMITS REQUIRED?

  • Permits are required for any owner who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, 
    repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to move 
    a lot line that will affect any existing 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 the code. Applications for all necessary 
    permits are accepted from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday at the land use 
    department located on second floor of Town Hall. 

WORK EXEMPT FROM PERMITS(BUT MAY REQUIRE A ZONING PERMIT & QVHD PERMIT APPROVAL)

  • One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, 
    playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 sq. ft.

    • Fences other than swimming pool barriers not over 7 feet high.

    • Retaining walls less than 3’ above grade at any point along wall.

    • Sidewalks, driveways and concrete or masonry patios less than 30” above grade.

    • Painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work not 
    involving structural changes or alterations.

    • Prefabricated swimming pools that are equal to or less than 24" deep.

    • Decks not exceeding 200 sq. ft. not more than 30” above grade and not attached 
    to a dwelling and do not serve the required exit door.

    • Portable heating/cooling and cooking appliances

    • Roofing and Siding repairs which are limited to 25% within one calendar year.

    • Clearing or repairing of leaks in plumbing systems that do not involve or require 
    the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

    This list is not necessarily all inclusive other work may be exempted from the 
    requirements of obtaining a permit, please check with the Building Department for your 
    particular project.

WHO MAY APPLY?

  • Applications shall be made by the property owner or by any authorized agent per public 
    act 91-95. If the authorized agent is a CT licensed contractor than the provisions of 
    section 20-338b of the CGS shall be followed. Contractors must submit proof of valid 
    CT licensure and proper insurance certificate. See Forms 7A, 7B, and 7C.

PERMIT FORMS

  • All building permit and trade permit applications are available for download but must 
    be filed in person at the land use department, permits will not be accepted via e-mail or
    facsimile. Along with a permit application proof of Insurance, copy of contractors 
    registration if applicable, three sets of construction drawings and/or supporting 
    documentation are required to be submitted (see building permit process checklist). The 
    Building Official advises when a property owner has hired a registered contractor to 
    perform any regulated construction work, the contractor should obtain the proper 
    permits for the project. 

SITE INSPECTIONS

  • As a project is started and progresses the permit applicant is responsible to notify the 
    Building Department when ready for the required inspections. Inspections are 
    scheduled only with the Building Official; a location and valid permit number is 
    required when calling to request an inspection. Most inspection requests are scheduled 
    within a 24 to 48-hour lead time but can be increased due to the number of inspection 
    requests received. You must speak with the Building Official to properly schedule your 
    inspection. Requests are accepted by voicemail at (203) 393-2100 ext. 1116. 
    Requests towards acquiring a C.O. require a final inspection and are conducted after the 
    structure is fully completed. 

BUILDING INSPECTION PROCESS

  • 1. Footing Inspection: Set forms and all required reinforcement if applicable. Call 
    for inspection prior to placing any concrete.
    2. Foundation and Slab Inspection: Set forms and all required reinforcement, vapor 
    barriers and Radon piping if applicable. Call for inspection prior to placing any 
    concrete.
    3. Backfill: Install all foundation drainage, waterproofing and damp proofing, all 
    Insulation if applicable. Call for inspection prior to commencing backfilling.
    4. Rough Plumbing/HVAC/Electrical : Set all required testing, complete all fire and 
    draft stopping. Call for inspection prior to installing any insulation.
    5. Framing Inspection: Complete all framing, install mechanical fasteners as 
    needed. Call prior to installation of any insulation, siding or exterior component 
    concealing framing.
    6. Insulation Inspection: Complete all insulation and proper ventilation. Call for 
    inspection prior to installing any drywall.
    7. Acoustical Ceiling Inspection: Set and secure all supporting grid, complete all 
    work above ceiling. Call prior to the installation of any ceiling tiles.
    8. Final Plumbing/HVAC/Electrical; Call when all work has been completed.
    9. Final CO/CC Inspection; Call when all work has been completed including site 
    work if applicable.
    Please call in advance (203) 393-2100 ext. 1116 for all inspections and reference your 
    permit number when scheduling such inspections. The Inspections will be scheduled on 
    availability and order received.
    This list is not necessarily all inclusive and subject to change, additional inspections 
    and/or documentation may be required per the special Inspection requirements of the 
    Connecticut Building Code.

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

  • All departmental final inspections are to be approved. This also includes any other 
    town departmental approvals, if applicable. Revised estimates (actual costs) are to be 
    submitted if scope of original construction has changed. Cost shall be listed for each 
    trade. Pursuant to Sec. 29-265, C.G.S., No building or structure shall be occupied or 
    used in whole or part until a certificate of occupancy has been issued.

FEES 

  •  All fees are based on the cost of the job. Please call the (203) 393-2100 ext. 1135 to 
    confirm actual permit fee cost.

BUILDING PERMIT FEES 

  • A fee of $50.00 shall cover work costing up to $1,000.00 with a fee of $14.00 for each 
    additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof. Additionally, a State mandated education fee 
    of $.26 per $1000.00 value of construction, the fee of $25.00 for the Certificate of 
    Approval, and/or fee of $40.00 for the Certificate of Occupancy when applicable.   

MECHANICAL PERMIT FEES 

  •  A fee of $50.00 shall cover work costing up to $1,000.00 with a fee of $10.00 for each 
    additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof. Additionally, a State mandated education fee 
    of $.26 per $1000.00 value of construction, the fee of $25.00 for the Certificate of 
    Approval, and/or a fee of $40.00 for the Certificate of Occupancy when applicable. 
    Depending on the project, various other permit applications fees may be 
    required. Please contact the other relevant departments on this website (Engineering, 
    Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Fire and Public Health) for those charges.

COPIES FROM BUILDING FILES RECORDS / PLANS 

  •  A fee of $1.00 per sheet will be accessed for copies for sizes of 11”x17” ; copies to a 
    maximum size of 30” x 42” for drawings will be applied a fee of $8.00, and $.50 per 
    page for all necessary documentation printed on 8.5” X 11” for scanning, indexing and 
    filming such documents to meet the requirements of the States M-10 retention 
    requirements.