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 three building offices: the Town’s, the separate City of Groton’s and the Groton Long Point Association’s.

This guide lists the towns in New London County and the building offices and local rules of Norwich, Groton, New London and Waterford.

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

New London County building department: who handles permitting

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

The City says it no longer accepts paper or emailed applications and takes them through its OpenGov portal. State law (CGS 29-263(a)) lets an applicant file in person, by mail or by email in the manner the building official sets, so call (860) 823-3745 if you cannot use the portal. 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. Groton Long Point (about 500 people), also inside the town, has its own building official at the Groton Long Point Association, 44 Beach Road, who issues building permits there. Check which of the three has the parcel before filing.

New London

The City’s Building Inspection Division at 111 Union Street takes one paper application for building and trade permits, in person or by mail; the City says emailed applications are not permitted, while state law (CGS 29-263(a)) lets an applicant file by email in the manner the building official sets. See the New London guide for its fees and rules.

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 for the first $1,000 and $20 for each further $1,000 of construction value under Ordinance No. 1870, in force since July 1, 2025, plus the State Education Fee of $0.26 per thousand. The City’s fee web page also lists a $35 minimum, $250 for work done without a permit and $200 for a Building Code Board of Appeals application; the first two are not in the ordinance, so ask the department which it charges.
• Groton Long Point: $34 for the first $1,000, then $18.26 for each further $1,000 (fee table updated September 2024).
• New London: $19.26 per $1,000 of estimated construction value, rounded up to the next $1,000, of which 26 cents is the State Education Fee.
• 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.

New London County permit search and official 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
• Norwich building fees
• Groton Long Point Association: building and zoning
• New London Building Inspection Division
• 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, and Groton Long Point, where the Groton Long Point Association’s building official issues permits.

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.