What permit do I need for a fence? 

A zoning permits is not required if the fence is less than 8 feet. Building permits are needed for pool fences and/or all fences over 7 feet high.

I’m doing a kitchen renovation.  Where do I start? 

If you work requires only internal work such as a new kitchen, you might only need Building permits. 

My property has a historic designation.  What type of work needs to go before the HDC?

All exterior work in a historic district needs to go to the Historic District Commission.

My project includes signage.  What should I expect? 

You need to work with both the Planning & Zoning and the Building Departments.  If your project includes installation of a freestanding sign, changes to an existing sign, new wall signs or changes to pre-existing wall signs, you will need xx permits.  If such sign is greater than 50 feet, you will need to go before the Architectural Review Board for approval. 

My property is on the Westport Historic Resources Inventory.  What do I need to know before I begin my project?

Many properties within Westport are listed on the Historic Resource Inventory (HRI; we can hyper link this to the updated excel). The HRI is a town-wide survey of potentially historically, culturally or archaeologically significant buildings and places. Being listed on an HRI does not necessarily mean that a property has any restrictions placed upon it or is subject to Historic District Commission review processes. The Westport HRI has a column which details what, if any, designations a property have have. In general, there are three types of designations – the State Register of Historic Places, the National Register of Historic Places or Locally Designated.

My property is on the State Register of Historic Places.  What do I need to know before I begin my project?

If a property is only listed on the State Register of Historic Places, it is not subject to any building restrictions and does not have to come before the Historic District Commission for any proposed construction or alteration. However, the project, depending on what is being proposed, may be eligible for the State Historic Tax Credit Program, which makes funds available for restoration and rehabilitation work. 

My property is on the National Register of Historic Places.  What do I need to know before I begin my project?

If a property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is not subject to any building restrictions and does not have to come before the Historic District Commission for any proposed construction of alteration. A property listed on the National Register is also automatically listed on the State Register, making certain construction projects eligible for State Historic Tax Credits. The only protection that the National Register of Historic Places offers buildings is protection against "unreasonable destruction" under the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

My property is Locally Designated either as a Local Historic Property or within a Local Historic District.  What do I need to know before I begin my project?

If a property is Locally Designated either as a Local Historic Property or within a Local Historic District, any and all proposed construction projects viewable from a public way, street, or place, must be reviewed by the Historic District Commission. The construction of a new building, the demolition of an existing building and/or all exterior modifications proposed to an existing designated structure must go through the Certificate of Appropriateness application process before construction is begun. Although basic building maintenance and certain other projects may be exempt from design review, it is always best to check with the Historic District Commission Office prior to starting a project.