Building

About Us

The Building Department is a key division for the future of the City of Danbury. We manage new construction, additions, and renovations of a building from planning stages to completion. We also permit and inspect replacements and additions of mechanical systems, and equipment such as electrical systems, heating and cooling systems, plumbing systems, sewer and water services, retaining walls, roofs, siding, and exterior finishes. Our staff consists of the Building Official, four Assistant Building Officials, an Electrical Inspector, and a Clerk. Our inspectors are required to attend ninety hours of continuing education in a three-year period of time to keep up with the ever-changing codes and methods in construction. All applications for building permits are submitted through the Permit Center to the Building Department. Our inspectors review applications, construction drawings, and information applicable to the project. We then issue a permit after the application has been approved and deemed code compliant. Our inspectors perform on-site inspections at different stages of construction to ensure code compliance. Our inspectors are on call 24/7 for emergency service if needed by other City Agencies. These calls can be for fires, car strikes on buildings, water problems in structures, electrical issues with a building, and more. We work closely with the unit for neighborhood building needs, and fire and police with emergencies that might arise. Our clerk, in addition to the daily clerical needs of the department, also retrieves information requested in regards to buildings for design, real estate sales, and re-financing. The requests she receives for information are for Certificate of Occupancies, plans and permits, inspection records and outstanding code violations. This type of information requested can date back to 1965.

Accomplishments

Construction in Danbury has remained strong. A total of over 3,000 permits for commercial and residential projects were issued from July 1, 2017 to the present, resulting in over 11,000 inspections performed by Building Department staff. We have been in the top ten of municipalities for the year in issuance of Certificates of Occupancy on residential projects. The west side of Danbury continues to grow with Toll Brother Projects at The Reserve. We have seen large renovations at Boehringer and Danbury Hospital completed this year. This past year a new Maplewood medical building was completed and is occupied by an orthopedic group, radiology office, pain management office and a physical therapy office at 4 Riverview. The Newtown Road area was very active in 2017. The constructions of Texas Roadhouse, Popeye's, and Starbucks, as well as Aspen Dental and T Mobile, have also been completed. Danbury High School has a new look with a four-story addition, new theater, and several other improvements. With the busy real estate market in Danbury, our office has researched and provided over 1,000 requests for information such as Certificates of Occupancy, permits, inspections, and code violations. We work with property owners to resolve open permits, oftentimes lacking inspections. This process at completion ensures substantial compliance with the Connecticut State Building Code as well as closure to the property in question. We have been working on a new organization method for permits and drawings in our storage area for the past five years. I am happy to say we are making progress with historic documents, making the future simpler for research and intend to work for easier research solutions in the upcoming year. In the year to come, we anticipate construction to remain vibrant and steady. Projects such as a senior living community on Wooster Heights, more residential units in the Main St. corridor, and the conversion of an existing office building to covered parking and medical office space are a few of the many projects proposed. We are pleased to work with the citizens of Danbury and developers to ensure public safety, enhance the quality of life, and support the growth and vitality of our City.

Statement of Mission:

The Building Department is an essential contributor in planning the future development of the City of Danbury.  We are committed to managing all new construction, addition, and renovation projects from the planning stage through completion. We are dedicated to working with the residents of Danbury and developers to enhance the quality of life, and support the growth and vitality of our City.   

Department Goals:

Our goal is to assist applicants with the permit process and provide thorough, consistent and efficient administration of the Connecticut State Building Code. These codes apply to all construction, alteration, repair, equipment installation, and demolition projects. We are committed to preserving the public’s health, welfare, and safety as it relates to the construction and occupancy of buildings.

Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Accomplishments:

Commercial and residential construction has remained strong in Danbury. 

  • Our Building Officials have completed over 8000 commercial and residential inspections this past year, providing guidance when necessary, making sure all projects are completed within code guidelines.
  • The west side of Danbury continues to grow.   Projects include the completion of residential townhomes, single-level residences, and attached carriage homes at Rivington by Toll Brothers,  and the addition of the new Caraluzzi’s Market on Mill Plain Road. 
  • Building Officials have closely monitored the progress of commercial projects throughout the City, including the Ellsworth Avenue School expansion, the new Brookview Commons Apartments on Main Street, and the completion of the new Cardiac Cath Lab at Danbury Hospital. 
  • The online permit portal enables Building Officials to review permit applications and plans online and result inspections in real time.  The ability to communicate with homeowners and contractors through the portal has improved the application process, allowing for better communication and a better response time. 
  • With a very busy real estate market in Danbury, our office has researched and fulfilled over 2000 requests for information.   These requests include information related to open and closed permits, inspection records, building plans, outstanding code violations, and Certificates of Occupancy and Acceptance.   

Major Objectives 2022-2023

We anticipate construction in Danbury to remain vibrant and steady.   

  • Building Officials will continue to monitor the progress of current  projects including the Ellsworth Avenue School expansion project, the Career Academy at the Summit, the Westside Fire Station addition, the conversion of empty retail space to a new car dealership on Sugar Hollow Road, and a new 95,000 square foot storage facility on Great Pasture Road.  
  • We will continue to work with property owners to resolve and close open permits, ensuring compliance with the Connecticut State Building Code.
  • On call 24/7, our Building Officials assist the Police, Fire Department, and other City Agencies with emergency services as needed.   These calls can be for fires, car strikes on a building, water problems in structures, or electrical issues in a building.  
  • Working  closely with the Office of Neighborhood Assistance, we will continue to provide the building related expertise needed to aid in preserving the quality of Danbury’s neighborhoods.
  • With thousands of records dating back to 1965, we continue to work on methods to maintain and organize the many permits, drawing, and records on file in the Building Department.  We are in the process of uploading historical records to an online system, making it easier to research and retrieve information.
  • The Building Department is dedicated to providing high quality customer service in a timely and professional manner, and to find ways to improve our department to better serve the City of Danbury.