Building Department

(Effective 7/29/20) Residential and Commercial Permits and Inspection

Due to the COVID-19 preventive measures implemented, the permitting process has changed.

To request a residential or commercial inspection please call 203-794-8589 or email DrukkerJ@bethel-ct.gov explaining your project, and provide address, permit # and time and date you are requesting. Staff will review the request and follow up with you and other relevant departments via email with next steps related to your inspection/permit or other request.

Application forms FOR DECKS, POOLS, ACCESsORY STRUCTURES, ADDITIONS, NEW HOMES, AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS, can be downloaded at the town website here. OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR SMALL RENOVATIONS AND RE-ROOFING AND OTHER MECHANICAL PERMITS CAN BE DONE BY CLICKING ON THE ONLINE PERMIT PORTAL.

inspections will be conducted in a home that is currently occupied ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. 

WE WILL ATTEMPT TO DO INSPECTIONS THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCE OR FACETIME IF THE CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT IT. IN OTHER CASES WHERE WE CANNOT VERIFY OR INSPECT OR INSPECTIONS WOULD BE DIFFICULT THROUGH VIDEO WE WILL SCHEDULE A VISIT TO THE HOME.

BEFORE WE INSPECT WE NEED TO VERIFY:

1. A MASK WILL BE WORN OR WE CAN ENTER THE HOME OR AREA WITHOUT ANYONE PRESENT.

2. NO ONE HAS BEEN SICK OR HAD A FEVER IN THE PAST 14 DAYS

3. NO ONE HAS TRAVELED TO A QUARANTINED STATE OR ANOTHER COUNTRY IN THE LAST 14 DAYS AND IS SYMPTOM FREE.

4. WE ARE PROVIDED ACCESS WITHOUT HAVING TO HANDLE OR MOVE PERSONAL ITEMS OR OPEN DOORS.

If you have questions or if an inspection is of an urgent nature please contact Christopher Baldwin at BaldwinC@Bethel-ct.gov DO NOT CALL THE OFFICE.

Please continue to check the Town of Bethel Building Department website here for permit applications and other resources and updates.

Staff will be responding to email and telephone calls to address any questions or special circumstances.

In addition TO a new drop off box in front of the Municipal Center to submit your permit application, for one and two family residential application the building department will need two copies of all drawings and specifications along with the application. We will contact you regarding payment. It will require you mail us a check OR DROP IT OFF.

The Building Department files are available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY for real-estate closings and refinancing and should be handled by a title searcher or attorney only. YOU CAN SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT BY CONTACTING THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. If you have any questions please contact the building department at 203-794-8589.

The function of the Building Department is to enforce the State Basic Building Codes, local Codes, ordinances and regulations. We review plans for construction work prior to issuing Building Permits, make on-site inspections during building construction or alteration, including electrical, plumbing, piping, swimming pool, shed, oil tank, gas piping, roofing, siding, replacement windows, etc. We also inspect potentially hazardous buildings subject to condemnation, investigate complaints or suspected building violations, and assist in follow-up legal proceeding, which may include acting as a witness in court proceedings.

Online Permitting

The Building Department is working on providing online permitting for contractors and homeowners. The online permits are going to be for Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, and General Carpentry not requiring Health, Zoning and Department of Public works, approvals. It is the intent of the building department to expand the online permitting to all permits in the future. The online portal is located in the upper right section of the webpage and is currently under construction. In the next couple months we hope to have portal fully functional.