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Connecticut Land Use Planning (1-CT-a)

Information current as of 2020
In Connecticut, land use planning is primarily delegated to local and municipal governments. A bulk transmission developer should ensure the proposed project complies with the adopted land use plans and zoning regulations of the municipality or county in which the proposed project is located. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection – Landscape Stewardship Webpage. Municipalities may prepare or amend and adopt a plan of conservation and development for the municipality. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-23(a)(1). Municipalities may also formulate and adopt zoning regulations. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 8.1 - 8.13a. In addition, any town, city, or borough may prescribe short-term (5 years or less) minimum land use regulations reasonably related to public health, safety, and welfare. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-17a.


All local land use plans and zoning regulations must comply with the state and regional plan. In part, the state conservation and development plan includes a comprehensive energy strategy to develop of renewable energy. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16ad-3d(a); Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 16a-24 – 16a-35a.



Land Use Planning Process


1-CT-a.1 – Review Land Use Plans and Zoning Regulations

The developer should check the local government website, or contact the municipal clerk, or planning board to identify and applicable conservation and development plans and zoning regulations.

1-CT-a.2 to 1-CT-a.4 – Does the Proposed Project Require a Special Permit or Variance?

A developer may need a special permit, special exception, or variance from a municipal plan or zoning regulation. The special permit, special exception, or variance application (Application) or request varies by municipality. However, the review process for a special permit, special exception, or variance is largely the same. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 8-1 – 8-438; Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 8-1 – 8-13a.

1-CT-a.5 to 1-CT-a.6 – Review Application Materials for Completeness

The designated regulatory entity will review the Application materials for administrative and technical completeness.

1-CT-a.7 to 1-CT-a.9 – Publish Notice of Public Hearing

The municipal planning commission or local government entity must hold a public hearing on an Application or request for special permit, special exception, or variance Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-26e.

The municipal planning commission must hold the public hearing within sixty-five (65) days after receipt of the request for a special permit, special exception, or variance. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-26e; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-7d(a). The commission must publish notice of the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality where the land that is the subject of the hearing is located at least twice, at intervals not less than two (2) days. The commission must not publish the first notice more than fifteen (15) days or less than ten (10) days before the date of the hearing. The commission must not publish the second notice less than two days before the date of the hearing. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-7d(a).

At the hearing, any person or persons may appear and be heard and may be represented by agent or by attorney. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-7d(a).

1-CT-a.10 to 1-CT-a.12 – Assess Application for Approval

The municipal planning commission or applicable government entity must make a decision on the Application within sixty-five (65) days after the public hearing. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-7d(a). The commission must state the reason for denying or granting a special permit, special exception, or variance. The commission must provide of notice of its decision in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in the municipality and addressed by certified mail to the applicant (developer) who requested or applied for a special permit, special exception, or variance within fifteen (15) days after rendering a decision. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-26e.

If granted, the special permit, special exception, or variance is effective upon the filling a copy:

  • In the office or town, city, or borough; and
  • In the land records of the town in which the affected premises are located.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-26e.

1-CT-a.14 – Appeal Decision (If Applicable)

Any person aggrieved by a commission decision may appeal to the superior court for the judicial district in which the municipality is located within fifteen (15) days from the notice of commission’s decision. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-8(b).


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