Development Services

The Department of Development Services uses the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal to accept all Licenses & Inspections (L&I) and Planning & Zoning (P&Z) applications. Please create an ACA account to submit applications.

After creating an account, please select "Create an Application" on the home page. To view existing applications and check their status, please select "Search Applications". For additional information and documents about L&I and P&Z permits, please view the service pages below.  

ACA Portal 

Apply for a Building and Trades Permit

Apply for a building, mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler, or temporary structure permit here.

Apply for a Special Events Permit

Apply for a Special Events Permit.

Rent Hartford City Hall

Apply to rent the City Hall Atrium for your next event!

Elizabeth Park Wedding Ceremony or Pictures

Apply for a Special Events Permit to have a wedding ceremony or take pictures in Elizabeth Park.

Apply for a Demolition Permit

Apply to demolish a building or structure within the City of Hartford. To ensure safety, all demolition projects and project managers must adhere to the division's regulations regarding demolition procedures.

Apply for a Certificate of Apartment Occupancy

A Certificate of Apartment Occupancy (CAO) must be issued by the Director of Licenses and Inspections prior to an apartment or dwelling unit being occupied.

Apply to be a Temporary Merchandise Vendor

Apply to be a temporary merchandise vendor here.

Apply for Laundromat License

Apply to obtain a Laundromat License here.

Appeal a Blight Citation

An owner may appeal for relief of each citation issued pursuant to Hartford Municipal Code Section 9-94 to a citation hearing officer.

Apply for Weights and Measures Permit

Apply for a Weights and Measures Permit here. All registrations expire June 30th and must be renewed annually.

Planning & Zoning Review

Within Planning & Zoning Review applicants can request a zoning permit, site plan review, and 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.

Starting a Business

Follow these steps to start a business in Hartford!

Purchase City-Owned Property

Apply to purchase city-owned property here. Please note that all applicants will be required to submit a complete Application Package.

Apply to be Mobile Vendor

Apply to be a mobile vendor here!

Commercial Parking Lot Application

Apply to establish a commercial parking lot here!

Apply to be a Pedal Cab Operator

Apply to be a pedal cab operator here.

Homebuyer Assistance

Find out how to apply for the HouseHartford Program. The program offers low and moderate income home buyers down payment assistance for the purchase of one- to four-family homes located in the City of Hartford.

Apply for a Home Improvement Loan

The Housing Preservation Loan Fund Program offers affordable loans to homeowners to make needed repairs and improvements to their properties located in the City of Hartford.

Apply for a Home Improvement Loan in the Promise Zone

The Sustainable Housing Solutions Program provides assistance to homeowners to make improvements to their 1-6 unit properties located in the City of Hartford’s federally designated Promise Zone.

Tax Abatement Application

A tax abatement agreement is a contract between the City of Hartford and the owner of a rental property that fixes taxes on an annual basis at a rate less than the full tax amount. Tax abatement can be used with residential properties that is occupied solely by low or moderate-income persons or families. The housing may be newly created, or existing.

HOME Application

The Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) supports the City's goal of fostering homeownership opportunities and the rehabilitation and construction of multi-family rental properties.

Homeownership, Home Repair, and Rental Housing Inquiry Form

The Housing Division's work is crucial in reducing blight, stabilizing neighborhoods, and improving Hartford's tax base.

The Division ensures that Hartford continues to be a vibrant city by working diligently to build housing

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.

Apply for a Rental License

Apply for a Rental License for a building containing at least three (3) dwelling units here!

Application for Outdoor Dining and Parklets

The City of Hartford is eager to support its small businesses with a new uniform and standardized process for outdoor activities.

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.

Municipal Improvements (Zoning)

This section applies to improvements proposed either by the council or city agencies, or by qualifying private party action sanctioned or permitted or otherwise approved by the council or city agencies.

The Department of Development Services presently has no open bids. Check out the PlanetBids Vendor Portal below for other City Bid opportunities.  

In order to view bid opportunities with the City of Hartford you must be registered as a vendor in Planetbids. Please note, if you already have a vendor profile, log into your account by clicking on the PlanetBids Vendor Portal button, then select "Bid Opportunities".

PlanetBids Vendor Portal

REGULAR MEETINGS

Find our Meeting agendas, minutes, and updates at MeetingInfo.org. For specific commission pages, please see below:

• Planning and Zoning Commission: https://www.meetinginfo.org/groups/30
• Historic Preservation Commission: https://www.meetinginfo.org/groups/29
• Zoning Board of Appeals: https://www.meetinginfo.org/groups/28
• Complete Streets Taskforce: https://www.meetinginfo.org/groups/55

Social Media

Follow us on the socials!

• Facebook: @DDSHartford
• Instagram: @SafeStreetsHartford
• Mailing List: Sign Up Form

ONGOING PUBLIC COMMENT

A nineteen (19) day public comment period will begin on Monday, March 6, 2023 and end on Friday, March 24, 2023. The City of Hartford Department of Development Services (DDS) is looking for public comment on the Draft City of Hartford HOME Investment Partnerships Program - American Rescue Plan (“HOME – ARP”) Allocation Plan. HOME – ARP funds are allocated to help communities provide housing, shelter, and services for the most vulnerable populations. HOME – ARP funds are in addition to the state’s regular FY 2021 HOME formula allocation. The City of Hartford’s HOME – ARP allocation is $5,242,613.00. Access the plan by clicking on the link below. 

• City of Hartford HOME-ARP Allocation Plan(PDF, 680KB)

Special events staff manage and execute approvals for events using city services or assets, or that are to be held on public property. Special Events include: block parties, festivals, parades, and marathons. Select services below to apply to use city property:

Apply for a Special Events Permit

Apply for a Special Events Permit.

Rent Hartford City Hall

Apply to rent the City Hall Atrium for your next event!

Elizabeth Park Wedding Ceremony or Pictures

Apply for a Special Events Permit to have a wedding ceremony or take pictures in Elizabeth Park.

To submit a request to put up a tent or other temporary structure, submit a Building Permit.

To apply for a temporary liquor permit or for temporary uses on private property, submit a request to Planning & Zoning. 

Hartford Arts & Culture

Hartford is home...

...to historic sites, landmarks, and cultural attractions. These sites include The Wadsworth Atheneum (the first public museum in America!), the beautiful and historic Bushnell Park (the first public park in America!), Keney Park (one of the largest municipal parks in New England-designed by the Olmsted Brothers' firm), and Coltsville National Historical Park. The city's neighborhoods are brimming with wonderous examples of Italianate, Queen Anne, Victorian, and Neo-Classical Revival styles of architecture. The neighborhoods are home to creatives of all mediums. And the food! Hartford celebrates its diverse population through its restaurants! 

For More Information:

Our Partners: