New London County, Connecticut Building Permit Guide

New London 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 four largest towns by the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates are Norwich (40001), Groton (39138), New London (28003) and Waterford (20435). Groton has two building offices: the Town’s and the separate City of Groton’s.

This guide lists the towns in New London County and the building offices and local rules of Norwich, Groton and Waterford. The City of New London’s website could not be loaded securely when this guide was checked, so contact the city directly.

What requires a building permit in New London County?

New London 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 New London County?

Connecticut dissolved county government in 1960, so there is no New London 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 New London County: Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, Voluntown and Waterford.

Local rules in the largest New London County towns

Norwich

Paper and emailed applications are no longer accepted; inspection hours are 9:30-3pm.

Groton

Property in the Town of Groton files with Inspection Services through the Town’s Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal, which handles permits, plans, inspection requests and fee payments. The City of Groton (Census 2025 estimate 10160), inside the town, has its own Building & Zoning Department that takes applications through PermitLink, open Monday 8am - 6pm, Tuesday - Thursday 8am - 4pm and Friday 8am - noon. Check which one has the parcel before filing.

Waterford

Permits are taken online through CITY SQUARED or in person, and a cost estimate is required with every application. The Building Department has up to 30 days to review and respond; generally the process takes two to three weeks.

New London County permit costs and fees

Each town sets its own building fees, plus the State Education Fee:

• Norwich: $40 per first $1,000 and $20 per each additional $1,000 of construction value (minimum $35); work performed without permits $250.00; Building Code Board of Appeals applications $200; State Education Fee $0.26 per thousand.
• Waterford: $20 for the first thousand of construction cost and $10 per every $1,000 after, plus $0.26 per $1,000 state fee; Certificate of Occupancy $50 (Residential) or $100 (Commercial).

How to get a building permit in New London County

Inspections in New London County

Inspections are done by the town building department. Norwich takes requests online at its OpenGov portal (preferred) or by phone at (860) 823-3766 or (860) 823-3739, and in busy periods may book 14 days or more ahead. Waterford needs 24 hours notice (48 hours recommended in peak months) and does not schedule until all required permits are in order. The Town of Groton takes inspection requests through its CSS portal.

Official New London 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
• Norwich Building Department
• Town of Groton Inspection Services
• City of Groton Building & Zoning
• Waterford Building Department

Frequently asked questions

Does New London County issue building permits?

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

Which office issues permits in Groton?

The Town of Groton’s Inspection Services, except inside the City of Groton, which has its own Building & Zoning Department.

How far ahead are Norwich inspections booked?

In busy periods, inspections may be booked 14 days or more ahead.

Simplify New London 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 New London County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.