Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Connecticut (2026)
13 rules on the books across Connecticut, 8 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Density Bonus Law
California Density Bonus Law (Gov Code §65915) and local implementations granting up to 50% density bonuses for affordable-housing projects.
Stamford
Significant RestrictionsStamford's R-5 Multi-Family district allows a premium density bonus of up to 22 dwelling units per acre on lots of…
Read full rule →New Haven
Some RestrictionsNew Haven lets Long Wharf (MULW) developments raise density above the 100 units/acre base to 185 or 265 units per acre…
Read full rule →Norwalk
Some RestrictionsNorwalk's Workforce Housing Regulation rewards developers who include income-restricted units in a market-rate project…
Read full rule →West Hartford
Some RestrictionsIn West Hartford's Transit-Oriented Development District near the CTfastrak stations, Section 177-43D lets a developer…
Read full rule →New Britain
Light RestrictionsNew Britain grants a 10% residential density bonus under Zoning Ordinance § 217-60-60 when smaller parcels in the…
Read full rule →Downtown Design Guide
LA's Downtown Design Guide and Community Plan governing high-rise massing, ground-floor activation, and adaptive-reuse standards in DTLA.
Stamford
Significant RestrictionsStamford's Architectural Review Design District requires Zoning Board or Land Use Bureau sign-off on new construction…
Read full rule →Hartford
Some RestrictionsHartford's Downtown Storefront building type sets ground-floor design standards for the DT-1, DT-2, and DT-3 districts…
Read full rule →Meriden
Some RestrictionsMeriden's Transit Oriented Development District imposes citywide architectural rules for its downtown sub-districts…
Read full rule →New Britain
Some RestrictionsNew Britain's Zoning Ordinance sets mandatory downtown design standards for the CBD and CBD-R zones under §§ 170-100-10…
Read full rule →New Haven
Some RestrictionsNew Haven requires BA-1 and CGD District buildings to follow pedestrian-scaled design guidelines covering scale…
Read full rule →Norwalk
Some RestrictionsDevelopment in Norwalk's Central Business District must follow the Central Business Design Guidelines tied to the West…
Read full rule →Stratford
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Stratford, Connecticut, a project that uses the Transit-Oriented Overlay District around the Stratford…
Read full rule →West Hartford
Some RestrictionsWest Hartford has no separate downtown design guide document. Instead, Code § 177-52 establishes a Design Review…
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