Permits & Applications
BUILDING PERMITS
A building permit is required for any new building, addition, temporary building, demolition, or pool installation. Please print the document, fill it in and bring it with you to the Building Department. You must apply in person. Please call the Building Office at (860) 561-7530 before you come to see what your project will require. Please consult the International Residential Code for One & Two-Family Homes and International Building Codes for Multi-Family Homes.
A permit is needed if you plan to alter a building by cutting a portion of a wall, removing or cutting any structural beam or load bearing support, or change any required means of entering or exiting. In accordance with the State of Connecticut Basic Building Code and the West Hartford Zoning Ordinance, mechanical permits are also required for mechanical improvements which include air conditioning, heating, sprinkler, electric wiring, and plumbing. Building and Zoning permits must comply with current Zoning Codes, where applicable.
Permits for small projects are typically issued the day after you apply. Larger projects may take 1-2 weeks. When making an application for a building permit, the process can be expedited by coming in when inspectors are available, which are between the hours 8:00-9:00 AM and 1:00-2:00 PM in Room 208 of Town Hall, 50 South Main Street. The Building Inspection Office phone is (860) 561-7530 and the fax number is (860) 561-6939.
All building department permit fees are $32.22 for the first $1,000 of estimated market value cost and $17.22 for each additional $1,000. When you calculate the estimated cost for a general building permit application do not include electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning or sprinkler costs, since each of those require a separate permit and permit fee. Click here for our convenient Fee Schedule chart.
The Building Inspection Office offers informational handouts that can be downloaded:
ENGINEERING / STREET PERMITS
A Street Excavation Permit ($50 fee) and/or Driveway Permit ($50 fee) are required whenever this type of work is done within
the street's right of way. In addition to the certificate of insurance needed for the permit,
a $10,000 Uniform Bond and a Liability & Indemnity
Form are needed (both forms are available in the Engineering Office). They are
located in Room 204 of
Town Hall, (860) 561-7540.
PLANNING & ZONING PERMITS and APPLICATIONS
The Planning & Zoning Office reviews all planned development requiring site plan approval, special use permits, wetland permits, zoning permits, lot splits, subdivisions, special development approvals and building permits that may include building expansions or change of use. More information on the following permits are found on the Planning & Zoning Office web pages. The office is located in Room 214 of Town Hall, (860) 561-7555. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Click here
for the Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule
chart.
Permits and Applications
(appear in alphabetical order)
Appeal Ruling of Zoning Enforcement Officer
Fence
For the construction of any fence used as a swimming pool protection barrier, apply under the pool permit building application. ALL other fencing construction, use this form.
Fill & Grade Permit: Call the Zoning Office at (860) 561-7555
Fire Pits, Chimineas, Outdoor Fireplaces: The Town of West Hartford does not regulate outdoor fireplaces such as chimineas or cast iron fire pits. State law requires that the person using such a device is responsible for any damage caused and that the smoke and other products of combustions be confined to the person’s property. If smoke or embers become a nuisance or hazard to adjoining property, the fire can be extinguished. We ask that anyone using such devices be a “good neighbor” and not use the fire pit on days where the smoke hangs or is blowing into the neighbors yard.
Home Occupation / Home Office
An accessory use conducted within a dwelling unit by the person who occupies the dwelling unit as his or her principal residence, which use is clearly secondary to the use of the dwelling unit for living purposes. A Home Occupation may be permitted either by Special Exception, approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals, or by administrative approval by the Zoning Office or his/her designee.
A Special Exception approval, pursuant to the provisions of Section 177-49, as amended by Section 2 of Town of West Hartford Code of Ordinances, shall not be required for a person to conduct a Home Occupation in the dwelling unit which such person occupies as his or her principal residence provided that: (a) There are no non-resident employees, (b) There are no visits to the subject dwelling or unit by clients and/or customers, (c) There is/are no sign(s)
Inland Wetland & Watercourses Activity
Motor Vehicle Dealer/Repairer Location Approval
Sidewalk/Tent Sales
Tents for sidewalk sales, social events, etc., less than 350 square feet use this permit. Tents greater than 350 square feet, please apply for a building permit.
Signs
For ALL "face" replacement signs use this permit. For new signs requiring structural installation (new pylon signs, awnings, etc.) apply for a building permit. For all illuminated signs requiring a new electrical installation or service upgrade, apply for a building permit.
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