Powers and Duties

Zoning Commissions have the following powers:

1. To establish, change or repeal zoning regulations and zoning districts, including village districts, in accordance with the considerations set forth in C.G.S. Section 8-2. [8-3]
2. To hear, consider and decide upon petitions for changes in the zoning regulations or zoning district boundaries. [8-3]
3. To provide for the manner in which the zoning regulations are to be enforced and to take appropriate actions to enforce them. [8-3 (e), 8-12]
4. To certify, when appropriate, that a building, structure or use is or will be in conformity with the zoning regulation. This function may be delegated to a zoning enforcement officer. [8-3 (f)]
5. To require, when it deems appropriate, that a site plan be filed to aid in determining the conformity of a proposed building, structure or use with the zoning regulation, and to approve, modify or deny such a site plan. This function may be delegated to a zoning enforcement officer. [8-3 (g)]
6. To hear, consider and decide upon applications for special permits or special exceptions in accordance with the zoning regulations. This function may be delegated to a zoning board of appeals or a planning commission. [8-2, 8-3c]
7. To approve or disapprove the construction of any above ground vault, crypt, columbarium or mausoleum for public use in any cemetery containing less than five acres. [Public Act 87-490]
8. To approve or disapprove the location of crematories proposed for plots of land which have not been used for cemeteries for at least five years or which are not established cemeteries containing twenty or more acres. [19a-320]
9. Regulate and restrict proposed location of any steam plant, gas plant, gas tank, water tank, electric substation, antenna, tower or earth station receiver of any public service company not subject to the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Siting Council. [16-235]
10. To grant special exemptions from density limits for the construction of affordable housing, per 8-2g.
11. Unless the municipality has voted to opt out, to approve the installation of temporary health care structures, per 8-1bb.
12. To regulate the protection of designated traprock ridges, per 8-1aa.
13. To adopt payment in lieu of parking requirements, per 8-2c.
14. To adopt inclusionary zoning regulations, per 8-2i.

Combined Planning and Zoning Commissions

Since 1959 municipalities have been allowed to establish combined planning and zoning commissions. Under Section 8-4a of the CGS, any municipality may establish a single commission to carry out both planning and zoning. The Planning and Zoning commission may consist of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 members, not counting non-voting members. On commissions with 5 or 6 members, the terms of no more than 3 members may expire in any year, on 7 or 8 member boards no more than 4, and on 9 and 10 member boards, no more than 5 may expire in any year. Upon the establishment of a combined commission, all regulations adopted by the separate planning and zoning commissions that were in effect prior to the establishment of the new combined board shall continue in full force until revised or repealed by the new board. Vacancies shall be filled as provided in the ordinance establishing the combined commission.