Zoning Board of Appeals Applications: North Canaan, Connecticut (CT)

The purpose of the Zoning Board of Appeals Commission is to conduct hearings appealing a decision or order of the Zoning Enforcement Officer and/or to consider requests for variances due to hardship.

In order for the Zoning Board of Appeals Commission to grant a variance under §8-6(a)(3) of the Connecticut General Statutes, two conditions must be met:
1. The variance must be shown not to substantially affect the comprehensive zoning plan (Town of North Canaan Zoning Regulations),
2. Adherence to the strict letter of the zoning ordinance must be shown to cause unusual hardship unnecessary to the carrying out of the general purpose of the zoning plan.

The Town of North Canaan requires you to first apply for a zoning permit that will be denied as it does not meet the Regulations. You will then meet with staff and they will assist you in then filling out the application for variance. . If you have any questions relative to whether your proposed activity requires a variance, please do not hesitate to contact us at (860) 354-9346 so that we may assist you. We also offer full service land use permitting where we handle the entire permitting process from beginning to end.

Connecticut Public Act 05-124
This Act states that an applicant cannot file a permit application other than for interior work in an existing building or for exterior work that does not expand or alter the footprint of an existing building if the subject property is encumbered by a conservation restriction or preservation restriction. Please read the above Act fully to ensure that your permit will not be unnecessarily overturned if it is to be appealed.

If you have any questions regarding the interpretation of a local land use regulation or application or you are interested in working with us on a project, contact us at (860) 354-9346. We look forward to speaking with you!

Back to:
North Canaan Building Department Regulations & Application Forms
North Canaan Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Regulations & Application Forms:
North Canaan Planning & Zoning Regulations & Application Forms:
North Canaan Health Department Regulations & Application Forms
North Canaan Board of Selectmen Regulations & Application Forms
North Canaan Zoning Board of Appeals Regulations & Application Forms

Please note that you should always contact the Town of North Canaan to determine if the Regulations and/or application forms have recently changed.

143 West Street
Suite #E
New Milford, CT 06776
Phone: (860) 354-9346
Fax: (860) 350-4419