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Welcome to the Zoning Department!

Important Links: 
Fees - Design Standards - Applications
Regulations - Meeting Information - 2009 Meeting Schedule
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Proposed Zoning Regulations & Master Plan

A PUBLIC HEARING on the Zoning Update will take place on Wednesday, October 14 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The PUBLIC HEARING will be limited to comments on the eleven (11) mapped areas identified on the Public Hearing Map Proposed Changes October 14, 2009. A list of the affected property addresses and the proposed zone change can be viewed here.                                                    

Those unable to attend the PUBLIC HEARING and wishing to submit comments may do so before 5 p.m. on October 14th, and such comments will be read into record of said PUBLIC HEARING. Forward written comments to Dennis Buckley, Commission Clerk, c/o Zoning Office, Room 210, 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT 06604.  The City takes no responsibility for written comments received after 5 p.m. on October 14th.

Any comments received, verbally or in writing, that do not relate to the eleven (11) mapped areas identified on the  Public Hearing Map Proposed Changes October 14, 2009 will not be considered.

Hard copies of the Public Hearing Map Proposed Changes October 14, 2009 and associated list of property addresses can be viewed in the following offices:

Zoning Office, 45 Lyon Terrace, Room 210

City Clerk Office, 45 Lyon Terrace, Room 204

Office of Planning & Economic Development (OPED), 999 Broad St, 2nd floor.                

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NEW!!  Find the properties on the agenda easier for
the monthly ZBA hearings. 
You can view a map and route starting and ending at City Hall by clicking on
"ZBA Property Locations" on the left side under Quick Links
when the link is available.

Note:  Link will be updated each month and will be valid until the morning after the meeting.

For hours and directions, visit our contact page.  For more info, read below and/or visit our frequently asked questions page.

The Zoning Department is one of 8 divisions under the auspices of the Office of Planning and Economic Development.  The Department is a regulatory agency.  It enforces the City's Zoning Regulations, which directs the development of the City in accordance with a comprehensive plan to:

  • Lessen congestion in the streets
  • Secure safety from fire, panic, flood and other dangers 
  • Provide adequate light and air
  • Prevent the overcrowding of land
  • Avoid undue concentration of population
  • Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements, with reasonable consideration of the character of each district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land, and 
  • Promote the health and general welfare of its people.

Like the Department of City Planning and the Land Use Construction Review division, the Zoning Department works to ensure the best and safest use of residential, commercial, industrial and coastal areas within the City's Municipal Codes and Master Plan.

Complaint Line

Many of the calls to the Complaint Line (203-576-8017) concern issues such as:

  • Abandoned, dilapidated or unregistered vehicles
  • Attic or Basement apartments without approvals
  • Contractor storage yards & commercial vehicles in residential zones
  • Construction activities, without approvals
  • Decks without permits
  • Fence Regulation or sheds, without permits
  • Home businesses
  • Swimming pools, without permit
  • Yard or tag sales
  • Advertising beyond the permitted setback or exceeding square footage requirements            

Building Projects

Currently, all building projects (including additions, decks, swimming pools) require owners to complete a Zoning Compliance Application.  All applications must be brought to the Zoning Department (no faxed or mailed applications are accepted).  The only exception is for large development projects (see Preliminary Design Review Conference - below).  Once the application is reviewed and approved, the Owner brings it to the Building Department.  If the application does not meet the Zoning Regulations, the Owner may request a hearing by completing a hearing form and bringing it to the Zoning Department (forms)

Preliminary Design Review Conference

Developers are strongly encouraged to submit applications of large development projects to the Director of 
Land Use Construction Review for a preliminary review.  This review is primarily an informal exchange allowing the Applicant/Owner an opportunity to discuss the proposal with staff and local officials from related departments and agencies.  Neither the informal review nor any comments made at the review shall be considered a commitment or approval of the project.  Only the Planning and Zoning Commission has the authority to issue a final decision.  To schedule a preliminary design review conference, please contact the Director at (203) 576-7222.

Re-Build Letters*

As part of the mortgage process, some lenders require Owners to prove that the property could be rebuilt if destroyed by fire, flood or other catastrophe.  The Owner or Agent must submit a written request via mail,
email or fax to (203) 576-7213 for a Rebuild letter from the Zoning Department.  There is a fee for the Rebuild letter; payment is due upon receipt. The written request must include:

  • Owner's/Agent Name & address
  • Property Address
  • Current Use (single family, multi-family, commercial)
  • Contact Information

Letter of Zoning Compliance*

Need to know what the legal use of a property is? Is this property a 2 or 3 family? Request a Letter of Zoning Compliance.  The Owner or Agent must submit a written request via mail, email or fax to (203) 576-7213.  There is a fee for the Letter; payment is due upon receipt. The written request must include:

  • Owner's/Agent Name & address
  • Property Address
  • Current Use (single family, multi-family, commercial)
  • Contact Information

*NOTE:  All letters may take up to 7 business days to be completed.  Please plan accordingly.  The fee is $30 or more, depending on the amount of research involved and whether or not the property will need a permit to become compliant.  The total will be relayed to you upon letter completion.

Fees

The City charges fees for all activities related to the Zoning and Building process, including (for fee schedule, click here):

  • Application for Zoning Compliance
  • Building permits
  • Rebuild letter
  • Special permits (example: church or school in residential zone)
  • Zoning variances (example: restaurant in educational/medical zone)
  • Zone changes (example: from Residential to Office/Retail)

SAVE TIME! Before you call, you can find answers to the most commonly asked questions by using our FAQ page.  Click here to visit.


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