Home Additions
You should always start with the Building Inspection Division. Depending on the type and extent of the proposed activity you will have to visit other Town departments for their review and approval. Building Inspection will provide you with a “sign-off sheet” indicating which departments are required to review and “sign-off.”
Each applicable department will initial this “sign-off sheet” signifying their approval after they have reviewed your application. Once you obtain all the department sign-offs you will return to the Building Inspection Division to officially file your Building Permit application.
[To review each of the individual departments requirements for their review and approval, click on the department name below].
Bring the completed sign-off sheet and the following back to Building Inspection to file for the Building Permit:
- Two (2) copies of design drawings or architectural plans [including wall bracing plan and schedule and Town Storm Drainage Manual forms].
- Two (2) copies of a survey – site plan (possible).
- Building Inspection Division application forms as follows (click here):
- Owner’s notarized signature on back of form is required if owner is not filing the permit
- Workers’ Comp Affidavit signed by permit applicant (LINK)
A check or cash [exact change] is required for building permit fees. Or you can pay your building permit fees with a credit card [Visa or Master Card only]. (Click here for a list of building permit fees)
If you have any questions, please contact the Building Inspection Division.
Depending on the complexity of your project and whether or not you have met all of the requirements for each department, it can take several days, weeks or more to get a building permit.
In order for zoning enforcement to sign off on the “sign-off sheet” provided by the Building Inspection Division you must provide the following items:
One (1) completed Zoning Permit Application.
Two (2) copies of design drawings or architectural plans
Three (3) copies of a survey – two (2) of which will be returned for filing with your Building Permit.
Surveys should include building setbacks, and Green Area calculations.
One (1) Grade plane worksheet completed by a licensed Land Surveyor or Civil Engineer. Photos may be accepted for flat to lightly sloping sites. Click to see a grade plane sample.
If proposed addition is within 10% of the maximum allowable floor area, one (1) copy of floor area ratio drawings are required (see Floor Area Worksheet). * Additional review time will be required.
Floor area drawings need to included attic area / story calculations.
Planning and Zoning approval is required if your property is located within the Coastal Overlay Zone. Click here to see if your property is located within the COZ.
*For larger homes, you may be required to provide volume calculations to determine if the proposed addition will require a special permit due to its size (greater than 150,000 cubic feet)
Once the information is reviewed for zoning compliance you will be issued a Zoning Permit and a set of stamped architectural plans and surveys will be returned to along with your signed Building Inspection Division’s “sign-off sheet”.
A check or cash [exact change] is required for zoning permit fees. Or you can pay your zoning permit fees with a credit card (Click here for a list of zoning permit fees)
If you have any questions, please contact the Zoning Enforcement Office. Depending on the complexity of your project and whether or not you have met all of the zoning requirements, it can take several days or weeks, or more to get a zoning permit.
Home Additions in the Coastal Overlay Zone
In order for Planning and Zoning to provide you with a Zoning Permit Sign-off you must submit an administrative application to Planning and Zoning. This step is needed before the Zoning Permit office can sign the “sign-off sheet” provided by the Building Inspection Division. The following information is needed.
One (1) completed Administrative Site Plan Application.
Four (4) copies of design drawings or architectural plans
Five (5) copies of a survey – three (3) of which will be stamped and returned to you for filing with your Zoning Permit.
Surveys should include setbacks for pools/spas, patios, proposed equipment, and Green Area calculations.
The application can take between 3 and 6 weeks to process. Once the application is approved you will be contacted to pick-up the “Sign-off memo," stamped plans and surveys.
In order for us to sign off on the routing sheet for your building permit see below.
Residence connected to the sewer system - If the home was built prior to 1978 we will need the RRP form (link to RRP information page) completed and submitted with the contractor’s certificate.
Residence served by a septic system - If the home was built prior to 1978 we will need the RRP form (link to RRP information page) completed and submitted with the contractor’s certificate.
The building plans will need to be reviewed by our staff person on duty to see what, if anything, we will need in order to sign-off on them. If the Department does not have a record of the existing septic system one will need to be created by a licensed installer for our files. Depending on the work being done we may need one or more of the following done.
100% Replacement Area – This is an area designated for replacement of the septic system according to the current code when it becomes necessary, we allow a one-bedroom addition over the current septic system design if a 100% Replacement Area can be shown for the total number of bedrooms. Plans will need to be designed by a licensed septic installer or a professional engineer.
Add to septic system – If you are adding two or more bedrooms with your proposal we require an addition to the existing septic system.
Modify septic system – If portions of the existing septic system need to be relocated in order to meet setbacks to the proposed addition(s).
Soil testing may be necessary prior to submittal of septic system designs.
If you have preliminary sketches our staff can review them and the septic system file(s) during our counter hours and let you know what you may need.
The Environmental Services Office is located in the Health Department on the 3rd Floor of Town Hall
203-987-1001
Public Counter Hours: Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This sign-off is not usually required for this type of activity.
Sewer Permitting will likely be required. Depending upon the proposed addition, it may require either a Sewer CCTV Inspection Permit or a Sewer Disconnect Permit and additional Sewer Permitting may be required after that. For determination on Sewer Permitting needs, please complete the "Sewer Division Review for Building Permit Sign Off Sheet." Click Here.
This sign-off is not usually required for this type of activity.
Note: All departments accept credit card payments for permit fees.