Before you break ground, obtain a building permit from the Stamford Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and speak to the Stamford Planning Department about zoning and other requirements. There are a few basic steps required to do a construction project in Stamford.

1. Visit or call the Planning Information Center
2. Fill out building permit forms and pay fees
3. Permit submittal and review
4. Inspection (if approved)

The Department of Building Inspection is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the State of Connecticut Building Code, the State Demolition Code, the City Ordinances relative to swimming pools, historical buildings and aircraft, meeting with contractors, engineers, architects and homeowners to assist them in complying with code, inspecting unsafe structures, and responding to emergencies such as fires and storm emergencies. Their site will link you with the Building Permit and Inspection Application Forms and allow you to apply online for the certificates.

Department of Building Inspection
To ensure public safety, the Department of Building Inspection is responsible for the enforcement of building code and the issuance of building permits and certificates of occupancy under:

• State Building Code
• State Demolition Code
• Fire Safety Code of the General Statutes
• City Code and Charter

Office of the State Building Inspector
The Office of the State Building Inspector establishes and enforces the building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and energy code requirements necessary to promote the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by reviewing, developing, adopting and administering the State Building Code. Offers a list of online Forms and Applications pertaining to Building Modification and Accessibility Exemption.

Alarm System Registration
The City of Stamford now requires owners of alarms (residents and businesses) to register with the City and institutes new fines for failure to register in the event of a false alarm. You can Register Your Alarm System Online. More information regarding the registration process and the fine for not complying can be found on the Alarm System Registration main site.

Department of Environmental Health and Inspection
The Stamford Health Department, the Environmental Health and Inspection Division licenses all food service establishments in the City of Stamford. The division also reviews new and remodeled food services establishments to assure restaurant safety and compliance. The food service establishments include restaurants, retail food stores, and vendors. These three categories of food service are responsible for maintaining an environment that is in compliance with the State of Connecticut and City of Stamford Public Health Code. The purpose of this code is to assure the safety and cleanliness of the food service establishment and of the food handler.

Becoming A Qualified Food Operator
To become a Qualified Food Operator, you must complete the Qualified Food Operator training course and exam. The Health Department has ServSafe national certified instructors and registered examination proctors who will teach the training course in Stamford to individuals seeking to become qualified. The training course uses the ServSafe National Restaurant Association’s materials and exam. Successful completion of the classroom training and exam will meet the State of Connecticut Qualified Food Operator testing requirement.

The Zoning Board
The Stamford Zoning Board offers detailed information on the different zoning permits, their importance in city planning, and how to apply for them. The Department also offers a guide for Obtaining a Zoning Permit regarding what the application process for acquiring the Permit is and a description of the Plan Review process. The Board also makes available a detailed list of the different Zoning Regulations for public use.

Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals is responsible for dealing with considering potential variations in zoning regulations where there is an unusual hardship in the land. The application for an appeal is available online. You can find a further description of the department and the special cases in the appeal process sometimes faced on their main site previously linked.

The Planning Board
The Planning Board’s chief responsibility is the planning and coordination of City development in accordance with the Master Plan. The board influences the Zoning process because it is responsible for preparing and adopting neighborhood plans. It is also the department charged with reviewing the referrals from the two zoning boards and then possibly acting on them.