Litchfield County, Connecticut Building Permit Guide

Litchfield County is a map label, not a permit office. Connecticut dissolved county government in 1960, so a building permit here comes from the building department of the town where the parcel is. The largest towns by the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates are Torrington (35796), New Milford (28941), Watertown (22526) and Plymouth (11902).

This guide lists the towns in Litchfield County and the building offices and local rules of Torrington, New Milford and Watertown. Plymouth’s website could not be reached when this guide was checked, so contact the town directly.

What requires a building permit in Litchfield County?

Litchfield County has no county building rules. Whether a job needs a permit is set by the State Building Code, the same in every Connecticut town, and the town adds its own zoning, fees and filing rules, which differ from town to town as the examples below show.

Connecticut has one State Building Code: the code itself sets which work needs a permit and which is exempt, every town’s building official is licensed by the State Building Inspector, and there is no county government. Connecticut rules

Who handles permitting in Litchfield County?

Connecticut dissolved county government in 1960, so there is no Litchfield County government office that issues or reviews building permits. Each town handles its own, through its own building official.

The Connecticut State Library places these towns in Litchfield County: Barkhamsted, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, Goshen, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, New Milford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Plymouth, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington, Watertown, Winchester and Woodbury.

Local rules in the largest Litchfield County towns

Torrington

All permit applications are filed online at the city’s OpenGov portal; paper applications are no longer accepted, and other departments sign off inside the portal. The Land Use Office ((860) 489-2221) generally approves all building, sign and demolition permits; the Engineering Department ((860) 489-2234) reviews work touching curbs, sidewalks and driveways onto the public right-of-way; and the Fire Marshal ((860) 489-2534) approves sprinkler and fire alarm permits. For properties with a septic system, the Torrington Area Health District generally must approve permits when the work involves digging, such as deck footings, or adds load to the septic system, such as a home addition. Office hours are Monday - Wednesday 8:00am - 4:00pm, Thursday 8:00am - 6:30pm and Friday 8:00am - 12:00pm.

New Milford

Permits are applied for through the town’s OpenGov system. Contractors upload their CT trade license or Home Improvement / New Home Contractor registration and proof of CT workers’ comp, or a signed waiver for a sole proprietor or homeowner. No cash is taken.

Watertown

Building permits are available online through the City Squared portal. Every building permit needs a plot plan showing the house, driveway, decks, outbuildings, sewer, septic, well or public water and drain outlets, and the town’s requirements list also asks for testing by a soil scientist for soil capacity.

Litchfield County permit costs and fees

Each town sets its own building fees. Watertown charges $20.00 for the first thousand and $15.00 for each additional thousand of construction costs.

How to get a building permit in Litchfield County

Inspections in Litchfield County

Inspections are done by the town building department. New Milford inspections are requested by calling the office. Torrington inspectors keep office hours of Monday - Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00am and 3:00pm - 4:00pm, Thursday 8:00am - 9:00am and 5:30pm - 6:30pm, and Friday 8:00am - 9:00am.

Official Litchfield County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Connecticut State Library: towns by county
• Torrington Building Department
• Torrington building FAQ
• New Milford Building Department
• Watertown Building Department

Frequently asked questions

Does Litchfield County issue building permits?

No. Connecticut dissolved county government in 1960; each town’s building department issues permits.

Does Torrington take paper permit applications?

No. All applications are filed online through the city’s OpenGov portal.

What does a Watertown building permit cost?

$20.00 for the first thousand and $15.00 for each additional thousand of construction costs.

Simplify Litchfield County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm which town building department has the parcel and what its portal and sign-off order require
• Prepare and upload the application package, including zoning and other department approvals
• Track plan review, schedule inspections and close out the permit with the town

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Connecticut. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Litchfield County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.