The Building Code does not list what work requires a building permit, it only lists exceptions which do no require a building permit. Since this is a short list, most work requires a permit. For specific questions, contact the office to speak to an inspector.

Yes, a permit is also needed for work involving the moving of walls inside the building.

The Westport Planning and Zoning Department enforces the town’s Zoning Regulations and therefore all zoning questions should be directed to that department.

There is only one State Building Code and its regulations apply to every town equally in the State of Connecticut. The only variation to the code that is specific to Westport is Climactic and Geographic Design Criteria.

The Office of the State Building Inspector’s web site can provide you with the latest code information.

An unedited version of the Building Code can be found on the International Code Councils web site. Since the State of Connecticut revises this code, you must view the revisions to this document which are available on the Office of the State Building Inspectors web site.

A search can be performed for both open and closed permits under the Building tab of the Accela Citizen Portal.

If a pool was constructed after 1971, a pool fence is required. Contact the office and an inspector will go out to the property to investigate.

A town ordinance prohibits construction accompanied by noise between the hours of 8:00 PM and 7:00 AM on weekdays and between the hours of 8:00 PM and 9:00 AM on Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays.

That depends on a number of different factors, such as the size of the building and what goes on inside it. Your design professional can determine if a fire alarm is required by reviewing the code sections applicable to your project.

If the fire alarm coverage is adequate and the system passes a technical inspection by a licensed alarm technician, it may be reused.

Certain types of buildings, such as apartment buildings or schools, are required to have fire sprinklers installed. The requirement is based on the type of use and size of the structure. Your design professional can determine fire sprinklers are required by reviewing the code sections applicable to your project.

Removal of an existing sprinkler system requires the permission of the Fire Marshal. Contact their office for more details.

If you are cooking anything that generates grease-laden vapors (typically meat, deep fat frying, wok sauté, etc.) you are required to install a Type 1 hood. If you are baking, boiling water, warming, or using a press (panini, grilled cheese) you are required to install a Type 2 hood. If you are just serving hot beverages and re-heating in a microwave oven, no hood is required.