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Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, CT Permits for Metal Carports and Garages

Connecticut

Yes, count on a local permit for a carport in these six municipalities, since the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region and MetroCOG do not issue building permits. Bridgeport ties every building permit to a separate zoning plan application, and Trumbull has its own Certificate of Zoning Compliance form for small sheds. Call the building official and zoning office in the town where the building will sit.


Permit office: The region and MetroCOG issue no permits. Each of the six municipalities runs its own office.


When a permit is required

  • Connecticut's 2022 code lets a one-story detached tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar structure of 200 square feet or less skip the building permit. Zoning review is a separate question.
  • Bridgeport: every building permit also needs a zoning plan application through the Zoning Department, and the application covers new structures.
  • Trumbull: the small structures Certificate of Zoning Compliance covers sheds up to 150 square feet on lots of half an acre or less, and 192 square feet on larger lots, with a 10 foot height cap.
  • Monroe: a Residential Accessory Shed Application exists with a $110 permit fee, reviewed by the Tax Collector, Health, Inland Wetlands and the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
  • Stratford: its regulations call for an application for Zoning Compliance when a structure is built, altered or moved.
  • Carports are not named on these town pages, so get your building official's answer in writing before you order.


Zoning and setbacks

Setback numbers change by town and district. In Trumbull, a small shed can't sit closer to the front lot line than the rear line of the house, and unless attached to the rear of the house it must be 5 feet from rear and side lines on lots of half an acre or less, or 10 feet on larger lots. In Fairfield, unattached accessory buildings up to 15 feet tall can go in the side and rear setbacks at 10 feet from property lines in AAA and AA zones, limited to 100 square feet of floor area, and in R-3 at 10 feet from property lines and 40 feet from street lines. Fairfield also limits lot coverage for all buildings, at 10 percent in AAA and AA. Each town in the region has its own office, so confirm your district first.


What to bring

  • Bridgeport: a site or plot plan, written scope of work, construction drawings, manufacturer data sheets and contractor registration and workers' compensation papers, all as PDFs.
  • Fairfield zoning compliance: PDFs of the A-2 survey, architectural plans and project details.
  • Monroe: a plot plan is required on the shed application.
  • Trumbull: note whether the property is within 100 feet of a wetland, watercourse or FEMA flood zone, and call the Zoning Enforcement Officer for inspection after the shed is finished.


Farm buildings

There is no blanket farm building exemption in Connecticut. Agricultural buildings fall under Appendix C of the state code, and shade cloth structures are the only ones exempt. Conn. Gen. Stat. 12-91 deals with property tax, not permits, so bring farm plans to the town building official like any other project.


Good to know

Coastal rules matter in the shoreline towns. Fairfield requires coastal site plan review inside the coastal boundary but exempts structures incidental to residential property, including detached accessory buildings, and those reviews are filed in person. Bridgeport lists a zoning fee of $85 total for 1-3 family accessory structures and $305 total for Coastal Area Management site plan review. Bridgeport's 2016 building fee schedule shows $60 for the first $1,000 and $30 for each added $1,000, plus a $125 certificate of occupancy fee. Fairfield charges $58.26 for the first $1,000 and $16.26 per added $1,000, and Trumbull's schedule shows $20 and then $10 per $1,000 for residential work. Portals: Bridgeport's Park City Portal, Trumbull's online permitting, Stratford's Online Permitting and Easton's Online Permitting System. Fairfield files through CitySquared.


Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Greater Bridgeport?
Expect one from your town, because the region and MetroCOG do not issue permits. Town pages here do not name carports, so ask the building official. In Bridgeport a building permit also requires a zoning plan application.


Do I need a permit for a metal garage or shed in Trumbull or Monroe?
Trumbull uses a Certificate of Zoning Compliance for sheds up to 150 or 192 square feet depending on lot size. Monroe has a shed application with a $110 fee and a required plot plan.


Does coastal review apply to a shed in Fairfield?
Fairfield's coastal site plan review covers structures in the coastal boundary, but it exempts detached accessory buildings incidental to a home, so ask zoning staff to confirm for your lot.


Sources


Rules and fees change. Call the office to confirm before you order.


See the full Connecticut permit guide for statewide rules, farm exemptions and wind and snow ratings.


Looking at buildings? See our metal carports, metal garages and metal buildings.


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