Norwalk building department

Norwalk’s Building & Code Enforcement Department reviews plans and issues building and trade permits throughout the City of Norwalk, including Rowayton, which the state’s building-official list refers to Norwalk. It also runs inspections, issues Certificates of Occupancy, handles building-code complaints, and oversees demolition, swimming pools, signs, and tents. The chief building official also chairs the city’s Condemnation Committee.

The office is in City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Room 123, open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Inspectors are out in the field from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and can’t be reached then. The department asks you to allow 24 business hours for an emailed or phoned reply.

How a building permit works in Norwalk

Building permit applications aren’t available to the public. Building permits are issued by appointment, and an inspector fills out the application with you. To book, call (203) 854-7755 and press 1 or 2. The sequence:

1. Zoning first. Get an approved Zoning Permit from Planning & Zoning (Room 129, (203) 854-7780). Zoning circulates it internally for Conservation/Wetlands review and calls you when the approvals are ready. Zoning wants at least three paper copies of a scaled site plan and dimensioned plans (four for commercial projects), dropped off or mailed. Zoning fees are paid by credit or debit card only, and after-the-fact zoning permits cost double. Some projects need a Zoning Permit even when they’re exempt from a building permit, such as a small shed.
2. Collect the other sign-offs on the city’s procedure sheet as they apply. Each is listed below.
3. Bring to the appointment: the construction cost (including trade prices), the contractor’s license and workers’ compensation or insurance certificate, and two department-stamped sets of drawings. Of the two stamped sets, one is for the file and one is the job copy. Residential projects need three sets of plans in total, and commercial projects need four.

Sign-off	When required	Contact
Conservation	Listed on both residential and commercial procedure sheets	Room 129, (203) 854-7744
Public Works	Driveway changes, new homes, first-floor expansions, sewer	Room 225, (203) 854-7791
Health Department	Any home on septic or well; restaurants, food service, and salons	(203) 854-7995
WPCA	New homes	(203) 854-3228
Fire Marshal	Commercial and 3+ unit residential	121 Connecticut Ave, (203) 854-0200
Tax Assessor / Collector	Parcel verification and proof that taxes are paid	Rooms 106 / 105
Redevelopment	Redevelopment areas only	50 Washington St, (203) 854-7810

For commercial space, a tenant fit-up permit is required to occupy any commercial space, even if no work was done. You also need a copy of the tenant’s lease. Restaurants must also have their fats, oils, and grease plans reviewed by WPCA.

Roofing, windows, and siding

These permits generally don’t need zoning approval. Download the Roofing/Windows/Siding application and email it to inspector Peter Kelly ([email protected]).

Trade permits

You can submit electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits digitally. Download the form from the Trade Permits page, fill it in, and email it to the trade inspector. Any exterior equipment needs a Zoning Permit approval first, including rooftop units, above-ground LP tanks, exterior oil tanks, and new or replacement AC condensers. Trade work that needs other departmental sign-offs follows the full building-permit procedure. Trade inspectors take calls and applications Monday–Friday, 8:30–10:30 a.m.

Trade	Inspector	Phone
Mechanical & plumbing	Paul Zeiss	(203) 854-7966
Electrical	Sal Cenatiempo	(203) 854-7968
Building inspections	Leo Guerrero / Peter Kelly	(203) 854-7761 / (203) 854-7965

Fees

From the city’s current permit procedure sheets:

Permit	Rate	Plus	Minimum
Residential (1–2 family) additions, alterations, new construction	$18 per $1,000 of cost	$0.26 per $1,000 state fee + $25 CO fee	$100
Commercial, tenant fit-up, 3+ family, condo complexes	$20 per $1,000	$0.26 per $1,000 + $50 CO fee	$150

Condo projects need a letter from the condo association. The department accepts all major credit cards or checks payable to the City of Norwalk.

Fences, walls, and decks

Norwalk’s fence and wall handout sets these rules:

• No building permit for fences up to 7 feet or retaining walls up to 3 feet. Zoning height and location rules still apply and vary by zone.
• A building permit with sealed drawings is required for fences over 7 feet or masonry walls over 4 feet.
• Fences must sit entirely on the owner’s side of the line. A current Class A-2 survey is the accepted reference.
• On corner lots, nothing within 30 feet of the corner may exceed 30 inches.
• No electrified, barbed-wire, or razor-ribbon fencing is allowed on residential property.

Deck permits require the city’s Deck Worksheet with your plan. It covers deck height, pier depth and spacing, girder and joist sizing and spans, ledger flashing, guardrail and picket sizes, and stair dimensions.

Records and rentals

• Permit history and CO research: email the Research Request form to the department ([email protected]) to get a Certificate of Occupancy/Compliance or to confirm a property has no open permits. You’ll be told the copy cost, and documents are scanned and sent after payment.
• Certificates of Apartment Occupancy: buildings with three or more units need a CAO from the Health Department after each vacancy (City Code Section 30A-1). Owner-occupied buildings with fewer than three units are exempt. Tenement house owners register every year by December 1. Housing code questions and complaints go to (203) 854-7821.

Codes

Norwalk enforces the 2022 Connecticut State Building Code (2021 International Codes), which applies to permit applications filed on or after October 1, 2022. The city’s zoning regulations were rewritten effective February 19, 2024.