Planning & Zoning Department

Update

Welcome back! Planning and Zoning (P&Z) staff have been working diligently throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that the permitting process is running as smoothly as possible. Now that City Hall has reopened, please see the information below to ensure that this continues:
  • The Planning and Zoning Office will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM-4:00 PM beginning May 20, 2021
  • Our front desk staff will be happy to answer any technical questions from our community members, however, no permits will be issued at the time of submission to ensure fairness to those who have applied online
  • Most applications can still be submitted virtually by emailing ZoningPermits@NorwalkCT.org
  • We will continue the practice of internal circulation of applications to the Buildings Department
  • For more information on submitting applications for Zoning Permits, please see the information below

Zoning Permits:  

The application form and a detailed description of the procedure is available on our Zoning Permit webpage. The preferred method for receipt of all applications and supporting documents is through email to ZoningPermits@NorwalkCT.org. For large applications, or if you are unable to email, you can leave materials at the Customer Service desk at the front entrance of City Hall.  

Zoning/Planning Commission Approval Applications: 

Follow navigation at the top left to "Applications, Fees & Annual Meeting Schedule". You will need to send a digital copy of your application and all materials to the staff person you have been working with. Additionally, paper copies of the applications should be left at the Customer Service desk at the front entrance of City Hall.  

Commission Meetings:

The Planning Commission, Zoning Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals will be holding virtual meetings via Zoom until further notice. Our upcoming meetings will follow the 2021 meeting schedule. To learn more about the Virtual Commission/Board Meetings, go here. Agendas for all meetings can be found here, and specific information regarding connecting to an upcoming meeting is found on the Meeting Notices page. 

General Communication: 

Most answers to common questions can be found on our website.  

After searching the website, if you are unable to find your answer, please email ZoningPermits@NorwalkCT.org – this will generate a record of your question/request and will go to multiple staff.  

If you would rather call, please know sometimes we are unable to pick up at the time of your call; however, please leave a detailed message and we will get back to you. The office number is 203-854-7780. 

Starting May 20, 2021, the Planning & Zoning Department will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:00PM.  

Thank you for your cooperation and patience. It is our goal to continue to operate as efficiently and expeditiously as possible to meet your needs.


What We Do:

 

Ø  Guide growth and development in the city.

Ø  Provide information, guidance and administrative support to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Zoning Commission, Planning Commission and Harbor Management Commission.

Ø  Assist the land use Commissions in establishing the long-term vision for the city by implementing the goals outlined in the Plan of Conservation and Development.

Ø  Conduct planning studies related to traffic, parking, housing, urban design, mobility, resiliency, economic development, etc. as directed by the Commissions and/or the legislative body. 

Ø  Provide objective information to residents and applicants on matters regarding land use. 

Ø  Review and process applications, administer and enforce Zoning and Subdivision Regulations.



Board & Commission Meetings
Please view our 2021 meeting schedule for times, dates, and locations of meetings for the Planning Commission, Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Aquifer Protection Agency..
 

2019 - 2029 Plan of Conservation & Development


NEW: Norwalk Citywide Plan 2019-2029 Plan of Conservation & Development

Building Zone Regulations Rewrite


The City of Norwalk is in the process of undertaking the first comprehensive rewrite of the zoning regulations in over 30 years! We have decided to undertake a 2-step process of rewriting the regulations. In Step 1 we retained Planimetrics, a well-respected and experienced Connecticut consulting firm, to identify issues with the current regulations and provide recommendations on how to construct our next generation of regulations and develop a budget to complete the comprehensive rewrite.  The draft report, currently under consideration by the Zoning Commission is provided below:

  • Status of Major Projects


    View a list of developments recently approved or currently under construction 
     

    • Frequently Requested Resources