Ridgefield, CT Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Article II of Chapter 135 sets the gate a Ridgefield property owner has to clear before the Building Official issues a building permit. Section 135-3 lists four separate conditions, all of which must be satisfied: compliance with the Connecticut General Statutes, a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission when the property sits within an existing historic district, a favorable plan review from the Fire Marshal for property under Fire Marshal jurisdiction, and issuance of the zoning, septic and sewer hookup permits by their respective municipal authorities.

Section 135-1 backs this with the substantive standard: the State Building Code and everything incorporated into it by reference governs construction in Ridgefield. Section 135-5, adopted under Connecticut Public Act No. 95-320, adds a tax-compliance condition on top of § 135-3: the Building Official cannot issue a permit unless the owner presents a Tax Collector statement showing real property taxes paid and current, or a written payment agreement in good standing, unless the work is needed to repair fire or casualty damage or is needed for safety-code compliance or a court order.

Once construction is done, § 135-4 sets the parallel conditions for a certificate of occupancy: a Health Department statement that any septic or sewer hookup was installed to code, an issued driveway permit, a certificate of compliance from the Planning and Zoning Commission, and written Fire Marshal certification that applicable fire safety codes were met.