Zoning Enforcement staff administer Berlin's Zoning Regulations by reviewing and issuing permits, inspecting sites for permit compliance, and enforcing the requirements in the Zoning Regulations. 

Enforcing the town's zoning regulations is an important factor in protecting residents’ quality of life, health, safety and property.

How to Report a Zoning Concern

Use the downloaded form and send by email to the email address listed at the bottom on the form or deliver in person or by mail to: Zoning Enforcement Officer, Berlin Town Hall, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin CT 06037.

How long does Zoning Enforcement Take? 

The length of the Zoning Enforcement process depends on a variety of factors.  Some reported concerns are straightforward (ie. doing work without permits) and can be remedied quickly. Other reported concerns require more inspection and documentation.  Additionally, there are statutory requirements that are applicable in Zoning Enforcement that often result in a lengthy period of time until a violation is remedied. Factors that impact the length of the process can include, as example:  how quickly we can gain access for inspection of a residence, the cooperativeness of the respondent, confirmation of a 'commercial' versus a 'hobby' use, and the time needed to remedy the violation (ie. get a survey and apply for permits). 

How does the Zoning Enforcement Process Work? 

Upon receiving a reported concern, we first confirm we have jurisdiction over the issue and the enforcement officer visits the site. If a violation is confirmed, the property owner is sent a Notice of Violation and is given a certain number of days to respond or remedy the violation.  If the property owner does not take action within the allotted time, a Citation will be issued. Issuance of an Order may prompt one or more Zoning Citation Hearings. At these Hearings, fines may be assessed at the discretion of the Hearing Officer, who is an independent, appointed volunteer.  Additional legal remedies through Superior Court may be pursued as well.

What is not a Zoning Violation and who should I contact for the following concerns?

Miscellaneous issues that are not Zoning Violations:

Zoning Violations

What do I do if I receive a Notice of Violation?

Don't ignore it!

Promptly contact the Zoning Enforcement Officer who sent you the Notice - use the contact information provided on the Notice - within the noted timeframe.   Most violations are easily resolved and can be fixed with a permit.  Ignoring a Notice of Violation can result in a fine of $150 per day. 

What if I have received a Citation?

You have received a Citation because the violation still exists, and it has been more than fifteen days since the issuance of a Notice of Violation.   

Fines will accrue daily for each separate violation.  The sooner you cure the violation, the less exposure you have to higher fines.  

I have fixed the violation, is there anything else I need to do?

Yes. Once a Zoning Violation is fixed, schedule a follow-up inspection with Zoning Enforcement as soon as possible.   Fines will only stop accruing if a Zoning Enforcement Officer has determined that a violation is fully remedied.