Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region

Most likely yes, a carport here will need a permit, and it comes from your town hall since nothing is issued at the regional level. Thompson's zoning rules say no building or structure goes up without a zoning permit, and Thompson's definition of gross floor area even counts a carport. Before filing, pay your taxes up to date: Killingly and Thompson both tie building permits to it.

Permit office: The Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region and the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments issue no permits, so these are some town offices to call, and every other town has its own.

• Killingly Building Safety and Inspections
  Address: Killingly Town Hall, 172 Main Street, Killingly, CT 06239
  Phone: 860-779-5315
  Killingly permits and guides
• Thompson Building Office
  Address: 815 Riverside Drive, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255
  Thompson Building Office page
• Putnam Building Department
  Address: Town Hall, 200 School Street, Putnam, CT 06260
  Phone: 860-963-6800 ext. 111
  Putnam Building Official page

When a permit is required

• Killingly: the permit page requires a permit before building, moving or adding on to a structure, and that includes sheds over 200 sq ft. Sheds and garages must first have a Planning & Zoning application approved, plus the Wetlands Office if needed.
• Thompson: the zoning rules say no building or structure can be erected, moved, enlarged or extended until a zoning permit is issued. Routine maintenance and certain repairs are carved out. The town's forms page carries the Zoning Permit Application.
• Putnam: the Building Department issues building permits through PermitLink or in person, and the Zoning Department has its own Zoning Application.
• Statewide: a building permit is not needed for a one-story detached tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use up to 200 sq ft. Whether a vehicle cover qualifies is a question for your building official, since that language does not name carports.

Zoning and setbacks

Each of these towns handles zoning a little differently. Killingly keeps two sets of rules, the Town of Killingly Zoning Regulations and the Borough of Danielson Zoning Regulations, so check which one covers your lot through Planning & Development, 860-779-5311. Thompson treats a zoning permit as written approval from its zoning enforcement officer or commission, and it counts a carport or garage that serves a dwelling in gross floor area. Its forms page also has a Dimension Requirements In Districts sheet for setbacks. Putnam's land use office reviews flood plain work under Section 605 and erosion and sedimentation control under Section 606.

What to bring

• Killingly: approved Planning & Zoning application, Wetlands approval if needed, and proof that property taxes are current
• Killingly: septic approval from the Northeast District Department of Health, 860-774-7350, or a copy of the sewer permit if you are on public sewer
• Killingly: model Energy Code compliance, proof of contractor's license and workers' compensation insurance, and construction detail documents
• Thompson: Zoning Permit Application, and site plans that show nearest boundary lines and setbacks
• Putnam: Zoning Application, plus the Building Permit Instructions and authorization forms from the building official page

Farm buildings

Farm use does not get you a blanket pass in Connecticut. Appendix C of the building code governs agricultural buildings and the only exempt type is a shade cloth structure. Conn. Gen. Stat. 12-91 deals with property tax, not permits. Let your official know it is a farm building when you apply.

Good to know

Delinquent taxes can hold you up. Killingly lists current property tax payments as a permit item, and Thompson's code says the Building Official will not issue a permit for a property on the Tax Collector's delinquency list until it is cleared, with an exception for emergency work. Killingly's Town Hall is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday to 5:30 PM, and Friday only until 11:30 AM, and its fee schedule is posted online. Putnam Town Hall runs Monday to Wednesday 8:30 to 4:30, Thursday 8:00 to 6:00 and Friday 8:00 to 1:00. Building officials work from the 2022 Connecticut code for now, as the state pushed back the July 1, 2026 start of the newer one.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region?
Probably, and you get it from the town. Thompson requires a zoning permit before any structure goes up, and Thompson's definitions treat a carport accessory to a dwelling as floor area. Ask the building official whether a small carport fits the state's 200 sq ft shed exemption before you skip a building permit.

Do I need a permit for a metal shed or garage in these towns?
In Killingly, sheds over 200 sq ft and garages need a building permit, and the application goes through Planning & Zoning first with property taxes current. In Thompson, any structure needs a zoning permit first, so check with the zoning officer even on a small shed.

Sources

• Killingly: Permits and Guides
• Killingly Planning & Development
• Killingly Building Permit Fee Schedule
• Thompson Building Office
• Thompson Building Office: Forms & Documents
• Town of Thompson code: zoning permits
• Town of Thompson code: definitions
• Town of Thompson code: permits and delinquent taxes
• Putnam Building Official
• Putnam Zoning Department
• Putnam Planning and Land Use
• Connecticut OPM: municipalities by planning region and COG
• CT DAS: building and fire code adoption process

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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