The Building Department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the CT State Building Code* as it relates to new building construction, renovations, alterations, remodeling and demolition of structures. Starting with planning and design to plan review and approvals followed by various inspections through the many aspects of construction, including the testing of building systems to the issuance of certificates of occupancy.

The Building Official performs his duties to accommodate the requirements of CT State Statutes mandating that all Towns adopt and administer the CT State Building Code. Structures must be built to minimally protect the occupants and ensure a predetermined life expectancy of the building and to maintain sound investments for owners, investors and thereby the community. The CT State Building Code encompasses life safety first in order to minimize the loss of life during emergency situations and to protect the property during extreme weather events.

Building construction is one of the nation’s major economic indicators and very frequently, a homeowners or a businesses most significant lifetime investment. It can be a very stressful time. Prior to finalizing your plans we strongly encourage everyone and their respective Design Professionals to visit with the Land Use and Building Department, to pre-review your project in order to evaluate how the applicable codes and regulations may impact the proposal.

As a regulatory authority with a focus on public service, the Building Department staff will work with you and your proposed construction project to ensure the success of your project. We regularly coordinate and meet with all pertinent town departments in order to comprehensively assist you through the complicated and sometimes confusing, regulatory process.

The Building Official is also responsible for receiving complaints and issuing initial enforcement action for the recently adopted Blight Ordinance. The Town of Portland has the responsibility of looking out for and overseeing the town as a whole, and part of that responsibility is to protect the financial and personal investments that we all make in our homes and businesses. Primarily a visually based regulation it requires that the collection and accumulation of non-usable items, vehicles or construction debris, are stored in an appropriate enclosure or removed from view of adjacent properties. The ordinance also gives the Town the ability to issue citations for non-compliance.

 

DPH Carbon Monoxide Warning

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2022 Connecticut State Building Code Amending the 2021 International Building Code

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Working With Your Local Building Department

CT DEEP Pollution Prevention Newsletter

 

Thinking of Installing a Pool This Year? | Installing Irrigation Systems

Inground Swimming Pools     |    Swimming Pools     |     Wood Stoves

* A comprehensive list of applicable codes is available on the CBOA website, www.ctbuildingofficial.org/ where there is also information on purchasing the individual code books.

Energy Codes: http://www.energycodes.gov/

 

THE SUBMISSION OF ANY APPLICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PERMIT UNTIL SAID APPLICATION IS APPROVED BY DEPARTMENT HEAD AND ALL REQUIRED FEES ARE PAID IN FULL.