Planning & Zoning

Zoning is the legal method by which a city regulates how land is used and developed. This is done by assigning every parcel of land (or "lot") in the city to a particular zoning district. Each district allows certain uses and has specific development requirements.

Plan review is one of the essential functions of this Division as it is often the first step in the development process. The plan review process promotes compliance with Hartford's standards of development; protects public and private investment in land and structures; and maintains a desirable working and living environment for the residents of the city. 

Land Use Regulations

Plan Review Services

The Department of Development Services uses the Accela portal to accept all Planning & Zoning (P&Z) applications. Please create an account to submit applications. After logging on, you should be able to "Select a Record Type" for the applicable application.

To view existing applications and check their status, please select "My Records". For additional information and documents about P&Z applications, please view the service pages below.  

Planning & Zoning Application Portal 

Apply for a Planning & Zoning Review

Use this request to submit a Planning & Zoning Review for a zoning permit, site plan review, and/or special permits.

Obtain a Zoning Compliance Letter

Request a Zoning Verification Letter or Certificate of Nonconformance here. Zoning Verification Letters are issued for informational purposes to support a real estate transaction.

Apply for Historic Review

Historic review and approval is required before a building permit or demolition permit will be issued. This applies to any historic property and any property located in an historic district.

File a Zoning Appeal

If you have received a denial, citation, or Notice of Violation and you would like to appeal click here.

Apply for a Liquor Permit

Apply for a Liquor Special Permit through the Planning Division here.

Apply for a Sign Permit

Apply for Planning & Zoning Signage review here.

File an Amendment

Map Amendments are a change to a parcel or parcels on the zoning map to a new zoning district.
Text Amendments are a change in the text of the Zoning Regulations.
POCD Amendments are a change to the text of the adopted POCD.

Apply for a Wetlands Permit

An Inland Wetlands and Watercourses permit is required when work is to be done within a wetland or watercourse or within the upland review area, which is defined as an area within 100’ of a wetland, watercourse, or floodplain.

Request a Zoning Variance

The zoning board of appeals may grant a variance to grant relief to a property owner from strict compliance with the provisions of the zoning regulations.

Apply for Subdivision/Lot Adjustment

These applications involve changing the configuration (meets and bounds) of existing parcels.

Land Use Boards & Commissions

This Planning Division supports several boards & commissions led by volunteers who commit their time, skills, and knowledge to shaping our community and our local government. Click below for more information:

WHY IS THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE IMPORTANT?

Hartford is filled with historic architecture from the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Although this housing stock is older, it cannot be replaced with equivalent quality. If you own and maintain a building in one of Hartford’s historic neighborhoods, you are helping to restore Hartford to its place as one of the most beautiful cities in America. Property maintenance not only protects one’s investment, but also benefits the neighborhood and the city as a whole. When making material selections and color selections, property owners should be aware of the historic character of their properties.

The Hartford Preservation Ordinance gives Hartford a chance to reassert its historic beauty. Your compliance with the ordinance can help make this possible. 

WHO NEEDS TO APPLY FOR HISTORIC REVIEW?

1. If you are planning on making modifications to a property in a Historic District, you will need to apply for Historic Review and receive approval for the work before applying for your Building Permit.
2. Property owners doing work on a property within a National Historic District, Local Historic District, or State Historic District should make note! Any work which requires a building permit and is visible from the street needs Historic Commission for approval.
3. Any owner requesting a Demolition Permit for a property which is within a National Historic District, Local Historic District, or State Historic District needs to apply to the Commission for approval.

HOW LONG WILL THE REVIEW TAKE?

• Simple applications can be reviewed and approved by staff in the same day.
• More complicated matters will be heard by the Commission, which meets once a month. Any item needing approval by the Commission will be placed on the next Commission agenda if an application is received at least 10 days prior to the meeting.

Historic Preservation Resources

You can view the city's Historic Districts by turning on this layer in the Planning Viewer.

Search for your address there or check out the list of historic properties by address.

 Preservation Partners

Streets help define our neighborhoods. They are public spaces where we live, work and play. They are formed by the 'streetscape' - the street’s overall appearance as expressed by the relationship between road size, landscaping, decorative lighting, sidewalks, green spaces, bike lanes, public transit facilities and handicapped accessibility. On-street parking and architecture also contribute to the streetscape. Parking and bikelanes can be a safeguard between pedestrians on sidewalks and passing vehicles in the travel lanes while supporting small businesses. Buildings help frame views and define the edge of the public space. The rhythm of building façades unifies a street and architectural focal points. When these elements and traffic management measures are appropriately planned and engineered, they create great city streets that are safe, comfortable and enjoyable destinations.

Hartford's streets should be safe and comfortable. They should provide convenient access to destinations by walking, driving, bicycling, or via public transportation. They should accommodate everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, race, or ethnicity. Hartford’s Complete Streets Ordinance(PDF, 33KB) (adopted 2016) works to achieve this for all public rights of way. This policy also strives to achieve Vision Zero principles to eliminate traffic-related fatalities.

COMPLETE STREETS TASK FORCE

Established by municipal ordinance, the City of Hartford Complete Streets Task Force is comprised of representatives from various City departments, civic organizations, design professionals, and other stakeholders. The goal of the Task Force is to create, support, and implement the Complete Streets Plan (noted above). 

The Task Force meets on a bimonthly schedule during even months on the second Mondays at noon. Find meeting details on MeetingInfo.org. 

Stay updated with the Complete Streets Taskforce!

Current Projects

Micromobility in Hartford

The City of Hartford is partnering with the Capitol Region Council of Governments to offer micromobility options like scooters and bikes.

Farmington Avenue Streetscape

The first phase of this project was completed from Marshall Street to the vicinity of Denison Street in the Spring 2016. In the Summer of 2016 and again in 2018, the City received Urban Act Grant funding in the amount of a total of $6 million to help complete the streetscape to its western limit at Prospect Street.

Slow Streets - Neighborhood Traffic Calming

In 2019, Hartford was named a winner of the Made to Move Grant Program in partnership with Blue Zones. The Planning Division has installed the first Bicycle Boulevard (in Hartford and CT), which will provide safe, low-speed facilities comfortable for riders of all ages and abilities.

Since that time, the City has evolved the program to support safer streets across neighborhoods.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Design Improvements

The City of Hartford aims to keep our roads, sidewalks and rights-of-way safe for all residents and community members. In an effort to meet this goal, the City will be looking to improve the design and condition of streets and public spaces across Hartford.

Activities may include street striping, road diet design, and more.

Albany Ave Sidepath

The City of Hartford is exploring the potential for developing a shared use sidepath for pedestrians and bicyclists along Albany Avenue between Homestead Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue.

Main Street North Streetscape Design

The City is undertaking a design project that is the culmination of over 15 years of study for the stretch of Main Street from Earle Street to the Windsor Town Line.

Riverwalk Trail Extension

The City, working with Riverfront Recapture Inc., (RRI) successfully applied for federal Transportation Alternative funds, which are administered by the CT Department of Transportation.

Bartholomew Avenue Streetscape Design

The Bartholomew Avenue streetscape, or the “Parkville Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Stormwater Infrastructure & Streetscape Improvements Project”, is an infrastructure initiative that will enhance Bartholomew Avenue from Park Street to the terminus of the Avenue south of Hamilton Street.

Open Streets Hartford

The City of Hartford, in partnership with Hartford HealthCare, is developing an Open Streets program. This program will produce vehicle-free routes on 4-6 miles of Hartford streets to connect neighborhoods, people, and businesses in the city. Open Streets create healthy, safe, and fun environments by transforming streets into places to gather, bike, roll, stroll, and play.

South Branch Trail Extension

In the early 2000’s the City, with several stakeholders, developed a vision for a multi-use path to be located along the South Branch of the Park River, from Hamilton Street to Newfield Avenue. The trail will form an important link between the East Coast Greenway and the Trout Brook Trail in West Hartford.

 Additional Resources

The Planning Division helps the City achieve its community development goals by working with residents, leaders, and stakeholders to form consensus on how the Hartford should grow, both in the short and long term. 

Get Involved!

The best way to stay up to date on the land use commissions is via meetinginfo.org. Meetinginfo.org is an interactive site! Sign up for a user account and follow your favorite boards and commissions. You will be notified via email of changes and updates to the groups that you follow. 

In addition, stay up to date on Planning and Transportation Topics by signing up for our mailing lists or checking out the newsletter archive.

Contact us to have a planner to attend your next meeting. 

Neighborhood Revitalization Zones

Staff work closely with HartfordNEXT leadership and attend monthly Neighborhood Revitalization Zone meetings. 

NRZ Strategic Plans

CITYWIDE PLANS

Small Area Plans

COMPLETE STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION PLANS

OTHER PLANS AND STUDIES

PARKS AND TRAILS 

Comprehensive parks planning fall under the purview of the Department of Public Works Parks & Cemetery Division. For more information, please contact the DPW Parks Division. 

CONTACT THE PLANNING DIVISION FOR ARCHIVED PLANS

Zoning Enforcement Powers

 Zoning Enforcement Officers have the following enforcement powers where a violation exists:

1. To issue Notices of Violation to the owner or tenant of any building or structure and any architect, builder, contractor, agent, or other person (including a user of public property in the OS district) who commits, participates in, assists in, or maintains such violations 
2. To deny or withhold all permits, certificates, or other forms of authorization
3. To withhold all permits, certificates, or other forms of authorization on any other land owned by the same owner
4. To stop work
5. To confiscate signs illegally placed on public property.
6. The City may seek an injunction or other equitable relief in court to stop any violation
7. The City may seek a court order to abate or remove a violation or to otherwise restore the premises to its previous condition
8. The City may issue a municipal citation and a penalty of $150.00 per day, per violation. 

Zoning Violations

In accordance with Section 1.4 of the Hartford Zoning Regulations, the following activities are considered violations:

1. To use land, buildings, or other structures in any way that is not consistent with the requirements of the zoning regulations;
2. To erect a building or other structure in any way not consistent with the requirements of the zoning regulations;
3. To install or use a sign in any way not consistent with the requirements of the zoning regulations;
4. To engage in the use of a building, structure, or land, the use or installation of a sign, or any other activity requiring one or more permits or approvals under the zoning regulations, without obtaining such required permits or approvals;
5. To engage in the use of a building, structure, or land, the use or installation of a sign, or any other activity for which a permit or approval has been granted under the zoning regulations or under previous zoning regulations of the city, that is in any way inconsistent with such permit or approval or any conditions imposed on the permit or approval;
6. To violate the terms of any permit or approval granted under the zoning regulations, or under previous zoning regulations of the city, or any condition imposed on the permit or approval;
7. To obscure, obstruct, or destroy any notice required to be posted under the zoning regulations;
8. To violate any lawful order issued by any authorized public official; or

9. To continue any violation after receipt of notice of a violation.

REPORT A ZONING VIOLATION

PLANNING AND ZONING TOOLS

SUBMITTING PLANS FOR REVIEW

Plan review applications may be submitted through this website, but payments and supporting documentation must be submitted in-person until further notice. Documents must be submitted at 260 Constitution Plaza, 1st Floor. Applications fees must be paid before the staff will begin researching your request. 

PLEASE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SUBMIT OR PICK UP PLANS