City Council

CITY OF DANBURY 155 DEER HILL AVENUE DANBURY, CONNECTICUT 06810 www.danbury-ct.gov ELISA ETCHETO PHONE: 203-797-4514 LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT FAX: 203-796-1529 e.etcheto@danbury-ct.gov PUBLIC HEARING & COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NOTICE Who: City Council – Ad Hoc Committee When: 7 P.M. – Monday, June 9, 2025 7:15 PM* - C.O.W. *or at the conclusion of the Public Hearing if after the above noticed time Where: Chambers, 3rd Floor City Hall, 155 Deer Hill Avenue Purpose: 1. Amendment to Ordinance Sec. 48-168 (Sewer) Connection permits required; fees; refunds; penalty for violations* 2. Amendment to Ordinance Sec. 48-76: (Water) Connection Charges* 3. New Ordinance – Chp 46: Article 5: Municipal School Bus Violation Detection Monitoring System 4. Amendment to Ordinance Sec. 6-21: Amendment of State Building Code (Building Permit Fees) *Agenda Items on file in the Legislative Assistant’s Office and on the City website. The City Council will meet as a Committee of the Whole immediately following the above public hearing regarding items 1 & 2. Noticed: Dan Garrick, Director of Finance David Day, Superintendent of Public Utilities James Schullery, Building Inspector Kara Prunty, Asst. Finance Director Joanne Stark, Asst. Finance Director Posted: Town Clerk Information Board City Website Calendar  1 COPY SHOWING DELETIONS AND NEW LANGUAGE. NEW LANGUAGE IS INDICATED BY UNDERLINING THAT Section 48-168 of the Code of Ordinances of Danbury, Connecticut is hereby amended to read as follows: 48-168. Connection permits required; connection fee; refunds; penalty for violations. (a)Permit. No person shall make any connection with any public sewer or increase the volume discharge or decrease the volume discharged to any public sewer without a permit from the City Engineer and the Superintendent of Public Utilities. No such permit shall be issued until the applicant has paid a nonrefundable permit fee of three hundred and three 00/100 dollars ($303.00) three hundred and thirty-three dollars ($333.00) to cover administrative costs associated therewith except the permit fee for all properties located in the zone formerly designated as the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, shall be one hundred thirty three and 00/100 dollars ($133.00) one hundred and forty- six dollars ($146.00). All such permits shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance. Every permit issued hereunder shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Danbury Department of Public Works. (b) Connection fee. If no prior connection fee established in accordance with this section or sewer assessment established in accordance with the provisions of Section 48-264 of the Danbury Code of Ordinances has been paid on the premises to be connected to said sewer, or with respect to which the use is to be changed by adding residential units or expanding the floor area of nonresidential or mixed uses, then no permit shall be issued until a connection fee is paid to the City of Danbury according to the following: 1. (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the connection fee for buildings devoted to residential uses shall be two thousand four hundred and fifty six dollars ($2,456.00) two thousand seven hundred and two dollars ($2,702.00) per dwelling unit. (b) The connection fee for buildings located within the zones formerly designated as the C- CBD zoning district and the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, and devoted to residential uses shall be eight hundred and forty one dollars ($841.00) nine hundred and twenty-five dollars ($925.00) per dwelling unit, but in no event shall said connection fee exceed four thousand one hundred and eighty one dollars ($4181.00) four thousand five hundred and ninety-nine dollars ($4,599.00) per building. 2. (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the connection fee for buildings devoted to either nonresidential or mixed uses shall be as follows: Building Size Connection Fee (Floor Area s.f.) up to 5,000 sqft $ 4,598 4,180 5,001 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft $ 18, 368 16,698 10,001 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft $ 36,742 33,402 25,001 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft $ 55,110 50,100 over 50,000 sq ft $ 91,851 83,501 each 1,000 sq or part over 50,000 $ 186 169 (b) The connection fee for buildings located within the zones formerly designated as the C-CBD zoning district and the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, and devoted to either nonresidential or mixed uses shall be as follow: Building Size Connection Fee (Floor Area s.f.) up to 5,000 sqft $ 4,598 4,180 5,001 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft $ 9,178 8,344 10,001 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft $ 18,368 16,698 25,001 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft $ 27,546 25,042 over 50,000 sq ft $ 36,742 33,402 Whenever a change in use results in the addition of residential units or the expansion of the floor area of a nonresidential or mixed use, the connection fee associated with said change in use shall be calculated by subtracting the connection fee that would be due hereunder for the old use from the connection fee that would be due hereunder for the new use. (c) Refund. Said connection fee may be refunded if no actual connection is made prior to the expiration of the connection permit; provided that a written request for said refund is made within five (5) years of the date on which the permit is issued. (d) Penalty for violation. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than one hundred sixteen dollars ($116.00) one hundred and twenty- eight dollars ($128.00).  ORDINANCE CITY OF DANBURY, STATE OF CONNECTICUT CITY COUNCIL 2025 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Danbury: THAT Section 48-168 of the Code of Ordinances of Danbury, Connecticut is hereby amended to read as follows: 48-168. Connection permits required; connection fee; refunds; penalty for violations. (a) Permit. No person shall make any connection with any public sewer or increase the volume discharge or decrease the volume discharged to any public sewer without a permit from the City Engineer and the Superintendent of Public Utilities. No such permit shall be issued until the applicant has paid a nonrefundable permit fee of three hundred and thirty-three dollars ($333.00) to cover administrative costs associated therewith except the permit fee for all properties located in the zone formerly designated as the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, shall be one hundred and forty-six dollars ($146.00). All such permits shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance. Every permit issued hereunder shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Danbury Department of Public Works. (b) Connection fee. If no prior connection fee established in accordance with this section or sewer assessment established in accordance with the provisions of Section 48-264 of the Danbury Code of Ordinances has been paid on the premises to be connected to said sewer, or with respect to which the use is to be changed by adding residential units or expanding the floor area of nonresidential or mixed uses, then no permit shall be issued until a connection fee is paid to the City of Danbury according to the following: 1.(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the connection fee for buildings devoted to residential uses shall be two thousand seven hundred and two dollars ($2,702.00) per dwelling unit. (b) The connection fee for buildings located within the zones formerly designated as the C-CBD zoning district and the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, and devoted to residential uses shall be nine hundred and twenty-five dollars ($925.00) per dwelling unit, but in no event shall said connection fee exceed four thousand five hundred and ninety-nine dollars ($4,599.00) per building. 2. (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the connection fee for buildings devoted to either nonresidential or mixed uses shall be as follows: Building Size Connection Fee (Floor Area s.f.) up to 5,000 sqft $ 4,598 5,001 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft $ 18, 368 10,001 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft $ 36,742 25,001 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft $ 55,110 over 50,000 sq ft $ 91,851 each 1,000 sq or part over 50,000 $ 186 (b) The connection fee for buildings located within the zones formerly designated as the C-CBD zoning district and the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, and devoted to either nonresidential or mixed uses shall be as follow: Building Size Connection Fee (Floor Area s.f.) up to 5,000 sqft $ 4,598 5,001 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft $ 9,178 10,001 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft $ 18,368 25,001 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft $ 27,546 over 50,000 sq ft $ 36,742 Whenever a change in use results in the addition of residential units or the expansion of the floor area of a nonresidential or mixed use, the connection fee associated with said change in use shall be calculated by subtracting the connection fee that would be due hereunder for the old use from the connection fee that would be due hereunder for the new use. (c) Refund. Said connection fee may be refunded if no actual connection is made prior to the expiration of the connection permit; provided that a written request for said refund is made within five (5) years of the date on which the permit is issued. (d) Penalty for violation. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than one hundred and twenty-eight dollars ($128.00).  2 COPY SHOWING DELETIONS AND NEW LANGUAGE. NEW LANGUAGE IS INDICATED BY UNDERLINING THAT Subsection 48-76 of the Code of Ordinances of Danbury, Connecticut is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 48-76. Connection charges. (a) Connection fee. If no prior water connection fee established in accordance with this section or water assessment established in accordance with section 48-100 et seq. hereof have been paid on the premises to be connected to the Danbury public water system, then no connection permit shall be issued and no actual connection made until a connection fee is paid to the City according to the following: (1) (i) Except as otherwise provided herein, the connection fee for buildings devoted to residential uses shall be two thousand two hundred and fourteen dollars ($2,214.00) two thousand four hundred thirty-five dollars ($2,435.00) per dwelling unit. (ii) The connection fee for buildings located within the zones formerly designated as the C-CBD zoning district and the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone, as specified in the Zoning Regulations and as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, and devoted to residential uses shall be seven hundred and thirty-eight dollars ($738.00) eight hundred and twelve dollars ($812.00) per dwelling unit, but in no event shall said connection fee exceed three thousand six hundred and ninety-seven dollars ($3,697.00) four thousand and sixty-seven dollars ($4,067.00) per building. (2) (i) Except as otherwise provided herein, the connection fee for buildings devoted to either nonresidential or mixed uses shall be as follows: Building Size Connection Fee (Floor Area s.f.) up to 5,000 sqft $ 4,067 3,697 5,001 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft $ 16,225 14,750 10,001 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft $ 32,443 29,494 25,001 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft $ 48,662 44,238 over 50,000 sq ft $ 81,103 73,730 each 1,000 sq or part over 50,000 $ 160 145 (ii) The connection fee for buildings located within the zones formerly designated as the C-CBD zoning district and the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, and devoted to either nonresidential or mixed uses shall be as follows: Building Size Connection Fee (Floor Area s.f.) up to 5,000 sqft $ 4,067 3,697 5,001 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft $ 8,114 7,376 10,001 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft $ 16,225 14,750 25,001 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft $ 24,331 22,119 over 50,000 sq ft $ 32,443 29,494 (3) With respect to all new water services requiring a meter exceeding one (1) inch in size and with respect to all changes of property use by a customer that results in the need for a meter exceeding one (1) inch in size, the cost of meter acquisition and installation shall be paid by the customer. Said costs shall be in addition to the connection fees described herein. For purposes of this section, meter acquisition and installation costs shall be set by the Superintendent of Public Utilities and shall be generally equivalent to the cost of equipment, materials and services paid by the City. Whenever a change in use results in the addition of residential units or the expansion of the floor area of a nonresidential or mixed use, the connection fee associated with said change in use shall be calculated by subtracting the connection fee that would be due hereunder for the old use from the connection fee that would be due hereunder for the new use. (b) Permit. No permit shall be issued until the applicant has paid a nonrefundable permit fee of three hundred and thirty-three dollars ($333.00) three hundred and three dollars ($303.00) to cover administrative costs associated therewith. except the permit fee for all properties located in the zone formerly designated as the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone and as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, shall be one hundred thirty-three dollars ($133.00) one hundred and forty-six dollars ($146.00). (c) Exception. The foregoing connection fees shall not apply to fire service connections. (d) Refunds. Such connection fee may be refunded if no actual connect is made prior to the expiration of the connection permit; provided, that a written request for the refund is made within five (5) years of the date on which the permit is issued. (e) Penalty for violation. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than one hundred sixteen dollars ($116.00) one hundred and twenty- eight dollars ($128.00).  ORDINANCE CITY OF DANBURY, STATE OF CONNECTICUT CITY COUNCIL 2025 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Danbury: THAT Subsection 48-76 of the Code of Ordinances of Danbury, Connecticut is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 48-76. Connection charges. (a) Connection fee. If no prior water connection fee established in accordance with this section or water assessment established in accordance with section 48-100 et seq. hereof have been paid on the premises to be connected to the Danbury public water system, then no connection permit shall be issued and no actual connection made until a connection fee is paid to the City according to the following: (1) (i) Except as otherwise provided herein, the connection fee for buildings devoted to residential uses shall be two thousand four hundred thirty-five dollars ($2,435.00) per dwelling unit. (ii) The connection fee for buildings located within the zones formerly designated as the C-CBD zoning district and the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone, as specified in the Zoning Regulations and as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, and devoted to residential uses shall be eight hundred and twelve dollars ($812.00) per dwelling unit, but in no event shall said connection fee exceed four thousand and sixty-seven dollars ($4,067.00) per building. (2) (i) Except as otherwise provided herein, the connection fee for buildings devoted to either nonresidential or mixed uses shall be as follows: Building Size Connection Fee (Floor Area s.f.) up to 5,000 sqft $ 4,067 5,001 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft $ 16,225 10,001 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft $ 32,443 25,001 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft $ 48,662 over 50,000 sq ft $ 81,103 each 1,000 sq or part over 50,000 $ 160 (ii) The connection fee for buildings located within the zones formerly designated as the C-CBD zoning district and the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, and devoted to either nonresidential or mixed uses shall be as follows: Building Size Connection Fee (Floor Area s.f.) up to 5,000 sqft $ 4,067 5,001 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft $ 8,114 10,001 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft $ 16,225 25,001 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft $ 24,331 over 50,000 sq ft $ 32,443 (3) With respect to all new water services requiring a meter exceeding one (1) inch in size and with respect to all changes of property use by a customer that results in the need for a meter exceeding one (1) inch in size, the cost of meter acquisition and installation shall be paid by the customer. Said costs shall be in addition to the connection fees described herein. For purposes of this section, meter acquisition and installation costs shall be set by the Superintendent of Public Utilities and shall be generally equivalent to the cost of equipment, materials and services paid by the City. Whenever a change in use results in the addition of residential units or the expansion of the floor area of a nonresidential or mixed use, the connection fee associated with said change in use shall be calculated by subtracting the connection fee that would be due hereunder for the old use from the connection fee that would be due hereunder for the new use. (b) Permit. No permit shall be issued until the applicant has paid a nonrefundable permit fee of three hundred and thirty-three dollars ($333.00) to cover administrative costs associated therewith. except the permit fee for all properties located in the zone formerly designated as the Downtown Revitalization Overlay Zone and as depicted on the Zoning Map on file with the Department of Planning and Zoning, dated December 2023 and certified on December 31, 2023, shall be one hundred and forty-six dollars ($146.00). (c) Exception. The foregoing connection fees shall not apply to fire service connections. (d) Refunds. Such connection fee may be refunded if no actual connect is made prior to the expiration of the connection permit; provided, that a written request for the refund is made within five (5) years of the date on which the permit is issued. (e) Penalty for violation. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than one hundred and twenty-eight dollars ($128.00).  3 ORDINANCE CITY OF DANBURY, STATE OF CONNECTICUT CITY COUNCIL 2025 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Danbury: That the Code of Ordinances of Danbury, Connecticut is hereby amended by adding Article V to Chapter 46, entitled “Municipal School Bus Violation Detection Monitoring System,” consisting of nine (9) new sections, which said sections read as follows: Section 46-193. Purpose and legislative findings. Pursuant to 2024 Conn. Legis. Serv. P.A. 24-107 (“P.A. 24-107”), the Connecticut General Assembly enacted legislation to improve municipal school bus safety and address illegal motor vehicle passing. P.A. 24-107 expressly permits municipalities to adopt ordinances that authorize the use of “digital video school bus violation detection monitoring systems” and impose fines for violations of the ordinances. It is a purpose of this Article to improve municipal school bus safety and aid in preventing accidents related to municipal school bus operations in the City of Danbury (the City”). An additional purpose of this Article is to protect the health, safety and general welfare of students in the City that utilize the municipal school bus system. The City hereby authorizes the use of a municipal school bus violation detection monitoring system, which shall include one or more camera sensors and computers that produce: (1) digital and recorded video images of motor vehicles being operated in violation of this Article; (2) a visual image that is viewable remotely and a recorded image of the number plate of a motor vehicle violating this Article; and (3) a recorded image that indicates the date, time and location of the violation. Section 46-194. Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Article, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: City means the City of Danbury, Connecticut. Digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system means a system provided by the Vendor with one or more camera sensors and computers that produce (i) digital and recorded video images of motor vehicles being operated in violation of this Article; (ii) a visual image of the motor vehicle that is viewable remotely; (iii) a recorded image of the plate number of the motor vehicle violating this Article; and (iv) a recorded image that indicates the date, time and location of the violation. Vendor means a private vendor charged with installing, operating and maintaining the digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system. Section 46-195. Violation. The owner or operator of a motor vehicle violates this Article if the owner or operator violates the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes § 14–279(a), as amended by P.A. 24-107, which constitutes (i) not stopping at least ten (10) feet from the front when approaching and not less than ten (10) feet from the rear when overtaking or following any registered school bus on any highway or private road, or in any parking area, or on any school property when such bus is displaying flashing red signal lights, unless at the specific direction of a traffic officer; or (ii) performing vehicular turns toward a school bus receiving or discharging passengers at the intersection of two or more highways. The owner of a motor vehicle shall not have committed a violation of this Article if not later than thirty (30) days after the mailing of the citation, the owner submits a notarized affidavit, executed by the owner and the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation, stating that the operator is the party liable for the alleged violation and providing the name and address of the operator. If the City or its designated agent receives such an affidavit, the City shall mail a citation to the operator no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the affidavit. Proof of a violation of this Article shall be established by a preponderance of the evidence. Section 46-196. Procedure. In addition to the procedures set forth in P.A. 24-107, Section 4, and Connecticut General Statutes § 7-152c, the City shall implement the digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system in accordance with the following procedures: (1) Upon receipt of information from the digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system that captures an alleged violation of this Article, a City police officer or authorized City employee shall review such information. If the City police officer or City employee has reasonable grounds to believe that such a violation occurred and has the number plate, color and type of vehicle allegedly violating this Article and the date, approximate time and location of such violation, the City police officer or City employee shall issue a written warning or citation to the owner of such vehicle. The City police officer or City employee shall electronically certify the citation. (2) In the case of an alleged violation of this Article involving a motor vehicle registered in the State of Connecticut, the City, or its designated agent, shall send a copy of a citation to the motor vehicle owner observed in the alleged violation not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the alleged violation. In the case of an alleged violation involving a motor vehicle registered in another jurisdiction, the City, or its designated agent, shall send a copy of the citation to the address of the owner that is in the records of the official in the other jurisdiction issuing such registration not later than sixty (60) days after the alleged violation. The citation shall be sent by first class mail. (3) Any written warning or citation issued shall include: (A) The name and address of the  owner of the motor vehicle; (B) the number plate of the motor vehicle; (C) the City ordinance allegedly violated; (D) the date, location and time of the alleged violation; (E) a copy of or information on how to view, through electronic means, the recorded images of the ordinance violation; (F) a statement or electronically generated affirmation by the City police officer or authorized employee who reviewed the recorded images and determined that the motor vehicle violated an ordinance; (G) the fine imposed pursuant to the ordinance and how to pay such fine; (H) notice of the right to contest the citation and instructions for how to request a citation hearing; and (I) information advising the motor vehicle owner of the procedure for disclaiming liability by submitting an affidavit, as described in Section 46-195 of this Article, to the City or the City’s designated agent. (4) The motor vehicle owner or operator in receipt of the citation may request a hearing and shall be given written notice of the date, time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall be held not less than fifteen (15) days nor more than thirty (30) days from the date of the mailing of notice, provided the hearing officer shall grant upon good cause shown any reasonable request by any interested party for postponement or continuance. Section 46-197. Fines. (a) A violation of this Article shall result in a fine in the amount of two hundred fifty ($250.00) dollars. All funds arising from such fines that are received by the City shall be used for the purposes of (i) improving public safety within the City; and (ii) compensating Vendor for its installation, operation and maintenance of the digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system. (b) The City, or Vendor as the City’s designated agent, shall collect all fines accrued in connection with this Article. (c) The owner of the motor vehicle shall be liable for all fines imposed pursuant to this Article, unless (1) the vehicle identified by the digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system is a leased or rented motor vehicle, in which case the lessee of such vehicle shall be liable for any such fine; or (2) an affidavit is filed pursuant to Section 46-195 of this Article, in which case the operator shall be liable for any such fine. Section 46-198. Reporting to Department of Transportation. The City shall, not later than October 1st following the adoption of this Article, and not later than October 1st in each subsequent year in which this Article is in effect, submit a report to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The report shall include, but not be limited to: (1) a copy of this Article; (2) the total number of citations issued for violations of this Article in the prior fiscal year; (3) the total amount of funds collected for such violations in the prior fiscal year; and (4) how the City spent the funds in the prior fiscal year. Section 46-199. Record Retention. Any digital still or video image produced by the digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system shall be destroyed the later of: (1) ninety (90) days after the date of the creation of such digital still or video image; or (2) upon payment or final disposition of all matters related to the citation issued for a violation this Article, to which such digital still or video image pertains. Section 46-200. Severability. If any term, phrase, sentence, or section of this Article shall be declared invalid for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the remaining parts of this Article, and such parts shall continue in full force and effect and are hereby declared to be severable. Section 46-201. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in a newspaper of substantial circulation in the City.  4 ORDINANCE CITY OF DANBURY, STATE OF CONNECTICUT CITY COUNCIL 2025 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Danbury: That Section 6-21 of Code of Ordinances of Danbury, Connecticut is hereby amended, which said section reads as follows: Sec. 6-21. - Amendment of State Building Code. (a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Value of work, actual cost of the work and actual cost of demolition mean and include the entire cost to the owner of construction, alteration, repair or demolition and shall include the value of all materials and labor used. (b) Fees generally. (1) In accordance with the provisions of section 108.2 of the State Building Code, before receiving a building permit the owner or his agent shall pay a fee in accordance with the following schedule and based on the value of the work to be performed: Valuation of Work Fee For single-family and multifamily One hundred dollars ($100.00)* Application residential structures below one thousand Fee. dollars ($1,000.00) in value One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars One thousand dollars ($1,000) and above ($1,000.00) in value) plus twenty sixteen dollars ($1620.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof* One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars For commercial and industrial structures ($1,000.00) in value) plus twenty two dollars ($220.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof * For separate permits, available at the option One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee of the owner, covering mechanical, (includes the first one thousand dollars electrical, plumbing, heating and air ($1,000.00) in value) plus twenty sixteen  conditioning, sprinklers, chimneys and dollars ($1620.00) for each additional one fireplaces, and similar isolated work thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof * * Except that the fee for all residential and commercial structures located in the Downtown Revitalization Zone as specified in section 7.F. of the City of Danbury Zoning Regulations shall be reduced by fifty (50) percent. Any State fees shall not be reduced. No application for a building permit shall be processed without payment of the foregoing fees. If after the filing of an application for a building permit a change is made to the scope of the work to be performed which affects the value of the work, a new fee shall be calculated. Any increase in the fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of a building permit unless a building permit has already been issued, in which case said increased fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Any decrease in the fee resulting from a change in the work shall be refunded in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section. (2) The fee established in subsection (b)(1) of this section shall cover the eight (8) inspections specified herein or so many thereof as are required or applied for on any particular project. Required inspections, to the extent applicable, include: a. Footing inspections. b. Footing drains and waterproofing. c. Rough electrical. d. Rough plumbing. e. Framing. f. Insulation. g. Gas or oil burner. h. Final; including, but not limited to, electrical, plumbing, fire divisions and exits. Additional inspections shall be performed for an additional fee of thirty-three fifty dollars ($50.00) ($33.00) per inspection. Each separate trip to the site shall be deemed to be a separate inspection. Such additional fees shall be due and payable prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The holder of a valid building permit may request that some or all of the foregoing inspections be performed outside of normal business hours. The Building Official may authorize performance of such inspections outside of normal business hours if appropriate personnel are available to provide such service. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued to any permit holder for whom inspections have been performed outside of normal business hours until the permit holder has paid a fee to cover the additional expense incurred by the city in connection with such inspections. All such fees shall be in an amount equal to the wages paid to personnel performing said inspections. (c) Additional fees. Before receiving a permit or certificate for the following uses or for the conduct of any of the following activities, the owner or his agent shall pay the fee prescribed below: Type of Permit or Certificate Fee One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (1) Demolition permits (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in value) plus 5% of the actual cost of demolition (2) Permits for the moving of Two hundred seventy-five dollars ($275.00) per buildings building One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in (3) Permits for wood stoves value) plus twenty sixteen dollars ($1620.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof. (4) Permits for tanks One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in All size capacities value) plus twenty sixteen dollars ($1620.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof (5) Permits for signs One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in Any size value) plus twenty two dollars ($220.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in (6) Pools value) plus twenty sixteen dollars ($1620.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application fee plus (7) Residential Tent Fee any other applicable fees as required (8) Event Permit Inspection Fee. Carnival, Circus, or similar type of Two hundred Fifty dollars ($250.00) event (9) Certificate of Occupancy Included in Permit Fees (10) Certificate of approval. For all completed work that requires a building permit but does not require a certificate of occupancy. Such work shall include, but not be limited to: fences over six (6) feet in Included in Permit Fees height; retaining walls over three (3) feet in height; and electrical, plumbing and mechanical repairs or alterations performed in the absence of additional work that requires a certificate of occupancy. (d) Exemptions. (1) Demolition performed by, or on behalf of, any State, Federal or Municipal government shall be exempt from the permit fee requirements of this section.  (2) Artistic or cultural organizations shall be exempt from the permit fee requirements of this section, provided that the work for which a building permit is sought is intended to be used exclusively for carrying out the artistic or cultural activities of the organization. For purposes of this section, the term "artistic or cultural organization" means a nonprofit organization in the State which is exempt from taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended, the primary purpose of which is the participation in, promotion, development, acceptance or appreciation of, artistic and cultural activities which shall include, but are not limited to, music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, films and allied arts and crafts. In order to be eligible for exemption under this subsection, no officer, member or employee of such organization may receive or, during the calendar year preceding the building permit application, have received any pecuniary profit from the operations of the organization except reasonable compensation for services in effecting its artistic or cultural purposes or as proper beneficiary of the strictly charitable purposes thereof. (e) Refunds. (1) In the event that an application is withdrawn prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of the fee paid pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section. Twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the applicant shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of application.The first one hundred dollars ($100.00) is non-refundable. In the event that an application is withdrawn prior to the start of any type of work, the applicant may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of the remaining permit fee paid pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section. One hundred dollars ($100.00) plus twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the applicant shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of application. (2) In the event of a change in the work which results in a reduction of the fee required pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section, the applicant may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of said fee. Twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the applicant shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of application.In the event of a change in the work which results in a reduction of the fee required pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section, the applicant may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of said fee less the one hundred dollars ($100.00) application fee. One hundred ($100.00) plus twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the applicant shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of application.  (3) In accordance with the provisions of the State Building Code, any building permit issued by the Building Official shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within six (6) months after issuance of the permit. In the event of the expiration of a permit in accordance with the foregoing, the permittee may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of the fee paid pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section. Twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the permittee shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of issuance of the permit.In accordance with the provisions of the State Building Code, any building permit issued by the Building Official shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within six (6) months after issuance of the permit. In the event of the expiration of a permit in accordance with the foregoing, the first one hundred dollars ($100.00) is non-refundable. The permittee may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of the remaining permit fee paid pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section. One hundred dollars ($100.00) plus twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the permittee shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of issuance of the permit. (f) Renewal. (1) In accordance with the provisions of the State Building Code, any building permit issued by the Building Official shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within six (6) months after the issuance of the permit, or if the authorized work is suspended or abandoned for a period of six (6) months after the time of commencing the work. In the event of the expiration of a building permit in accordance with the foregoing, the permittee may make application for the renewal of the permit upon payment of the fee required hereunder. (2) The fee for the renewal of a building permit pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be equal to twenty (20) percent of the original permit fee or the difference between the original permit fee and the permit fee which would otherwise be paid for a new permit issued at the time of the renewal, whichever is greater. No building permit may be renewed more than twice pursuant to the provisions of this section. Renewal Fee Single family and multifamily Two hundred fifty Dollars ($250.00) residential structures Commercial and industrial structures Five hundred dollars ($500.00) Separate permits Fifty dollars ($50.00) (g) Investigative Research  Investigative Research Fee After-fact permit research including Two hundred dollars ($200.00) but not limited to permit status, inspections, closeouts, unpermitted construction review. (Code 1961, § 6-02; Ord. of 8-28-1961; Ord. of 11-9-1961; Ord. of 10-4-1962; Ord. No. 26, 1-7- 1965; Ord. No. 122, 12-5-1967; Ord. No. 176, 5-2-1972; Ord. No. 266, 2-3-1981; Ord. No. 297, 5-3-1983; Ord. No. 317, 6-4-1985; Ord. No. 368, 9-7-1988; Ord. No. 384, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 419, 6-4-1991; Ord. No. 429, 11-7-1991; Ord. No. 525, 3-4-1997; Ord. No. 528, 3-4-1997; Ord. No. 544, 5-2-2000; Ord. No. 559, 5-15-2001; Ord. No. 5770, 5-7-2002; Ord. No. 608, 4-6-2004; Ord. No. 719, § 6-02, 11-19-2012; Ord. No. 10, 5-6-2014) State Law reference— State building code, C.G.S. § 29-251 et seq.  ORDINANCE CITY OF DANBURY, STATE OF CONNECTICUT CITY COUNCIL 2025 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Danbury: That Section 6-21 of Code of Ordinances of Danbury, Connecticut is hereby amended, which said section reads as follows: Sec. 6-21. - Amendment of State Building Code. (a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Value of work, actual cost of the work and actual cost of demolition mean and include the entire cost to the owner of construction, alteration, repair or demolition and shall include the value of all materials and labor used. (b) Fees generally. (1) In accordance with the provisions of section 108.2 of the State Building Code, before receiving a building permit the owner or his agent shall pay a fee in accordance with the following schedule and based on the value of the work to be performed: Valuation of Work Fee For single-family and multifamily One hundred dollars ($100.00)* Application residential structures below one thousand Fee. dollars ($1,000.00) in value One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars One thousand dollars ($1,000) and above ($1,000.00) in value) plus sixteen dollars ($16.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof* One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars For commercial and industrial structures ($1,000.00) in value) plus twenty two dollars ($22.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof * For separate permits, available at the option One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee of the owner, covering mechanical, (includes the first one thousand dollars electrical, plumbing, heating and air ($1,000.00) in value) plus sixteen dollars  conditioning, sprinklers, chimneys and ($16.00) for each additional one thousand fireplaces, and similar isolated work dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof * * Except that the fee for all residential and commercial structures located in the Downtown Revitalization Zone as specified in section 7.F. of the City of Danbury Zoning Regulations shall be reduced by fifty (50) percent. Any State fees shall not be reduced. No application for a building permit shall be processed without payment of the foregoing fees. If after the filing of an application for a building permit a change is made to the scope of the work to be performed which affects the value of the work, a new fee shall be calculated. Any increase in the fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of a building permit unless a building permit has already been issued, in which case said increased fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Any decrease in the fee resulting from a change in the work shall be refunded in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section. (2) The fee established in subsection (b)(1) of this section shall cover the eight (8) inspections specified herein or so many thereof as are required or applied for on any particular project. Required inspections, to the extent applicable, include: a. Footing inspections. b. Footing drains and waterproofing. c. Rough electrical. d. Rough plumbing. e. Framing. f. Insulation. g. Gas or oil burner. h. Final; including, but not limited to, electrical, plumbing, fire divisions and exits. Additional inspections shall be performed for an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) per inspection. Each separate trip to the site shall be deemed to be a separate inspection. Such additional fees shall be due and payable prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The holder of a valid building permit may request that some or all of the foregoing inspections be performed outside of normal business hours. The Building Official may authorize performance of such inspections outside of normal business hours if appropriate personnel are available to provide such service. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued to any permit holder for whom inspections have been performed outside of normal business hours until the permit holder has paid a fee to cover the additional expense incurred by the city in connection with such inspections. All such fees shall be in an amount equal to the wages paid to personnel performing said inspections. (c) Additional fees. Before receiving a permit or certificate for the following uses or for the conduct of any of the following activities, the owner or his agent shall pay the fee prescribed below: Type of Permit or Certificate Fee One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (1) Demolition permits (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in value) plus 5% of the actual cost of demolition (2) Permits for the moving of Two hundred seventy-five dollars ($275.00) per buildings building One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in (3) Permits for wood stoves value) plus sixteen dollars ($16.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof. (4) Permits for tanks One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in All size capacities value) plus sixteen dollars ($16.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof (5) Permits for signs One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in Any size value) plus twenty two dollars ($22.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application Fee (includes the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in (6) Pools value) plus sixteen dollars ($16.00) for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or part thereof One hundred dollars ($100.00) Application fee plus (7) Residential Tent Fee any other applicable fees as required (8) Event Permit Inspection Fee. Carnival, Circus, or similar type of Two hundred Fifty dollars ($250.00) event (9) Certificate of Occupancy Included in Permit Fees (10) Certificate of approval. For all completed work that requires a building permit but does not require a certificate of occupancy. Such work shall include, but not be limited to: fences over six (6) feet in Included in Permit Fees height; retaining walls over three (3) feet in height; and electrical, plumbing and mechanical repairs or alterations performed in the absence of additional work that requires a certificate of occupancy. (d) Exemptions. (1) Demolition performed by, or on behalf of, any State, Federal or Municipal government shall be exempt from the permit fee requirements of this section. (2) Artistic or cultural organizations shall be exempt from the permit fee requirements of this section, provided that the work for which a building permit is sought is intended to be used exclusively for carrying out the artistic or cultural activities of the  organization. For purposes of this section, the term "artistic or cultural organization" means a nonprofit organization in the State which is exempt from taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended, the primary purpose of which is the participation in, promotion, development, acceptance or appreciation of, artistic and cultural activities which shall include, but are not limited to, music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, films and allied arts and crafts. In order to be eligible for exemption under this subsection, no officer, member or employee of such organization may receive or, during the calendar year preceding the building permit application, have received any pecuniary profit from the operations of the organization except reasonable compensation for services in effecting its artistic or cultural purposes or as proper beneficiary of the strictly charitable purposes thereof. (e) Refunds. (1) The first one hundred dollars ($100.00) is non-refundable. In the event that an application is withdrawn prior to the start of any type of work, the applicant may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of the remaining permit fee paid pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section. One hundred dollars ($100.00) plus twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the applicant shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of application. (2) In the event of a change in the work which results in a reduction of the fee required pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section, the applicant may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of said fee less the one hundred dollars ($100.00) application fee. One hundred ($100.00) plus twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the applicant shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of application. (3) In accordance with the provisions of the State Building Code, any building permit issued by the Building Official shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within six (6) months after issuance of the permit. In the event of the expiration of a permit in accordance with the foregoing, the first one hundred dollars ($100.00) is non-refundable. The permittee may obtain a refund of eighty (80) percent of the remaining permit fee paid pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b)(1) of this section. One hundred dollars ($100.00) plus twenty (20) percent of said fee shall be retained to cover the costs associated with application and plan reviews. No such refund may be made unless the permittee shall apply for the refund within one (1) year of the date of issuance of the permit. (f) Renewal. (1) In accordance with the provisions of the State Building Code, any building permit issued by the Building Official shall become invalid if the authorized work is not  commenced within six (6) months after the issuance of the permit, or if the authorized work is suspended or abandoned for a period of six (6) months after the time of commencing the work. In the event of the expiration of a building permit in accordance with the foregoing, the permittee may make application for the renewal of the permit upon payment of the fee required hereunder. (2) Renewal Fee Single family and multifamily Two hundred fifty Dollars ($250.00) residential structures Commercial and industrial structures Five hundred dollars ($500.00) Separate permits Fifty dollars ($50.00) (g) Investigative Research Investigative Research Fee After-fact permit research including Two hundred dollars ($200.00) but not limited to permit status, inspections, closeouts, unpermitted construction review. (Code 1961, § 6-02; Ord. of 8-28-1961; Ord. of 11-9-1961; Ord. of 10-4-1962; Ord. No. 26, 1-7- 1965; Ord. No. 122, 12-5-1967; Ord. No. 176, 5-2-1972; Ord. No. 266, 2-3-1981; Ord. No. 297, 5-3-1983; Ord. No. 317, 6-4-1985; Ord. No. 368, 9-7-1988; Ord. No. 384, 2-6-1990; Ord. No. 419, 6-4-1991; Ord. No. 429, 11-7-1991; Ord. No. 525, 3-4-1997; Ord. No. 528, 3-4-1997; Ord. No. 544, 5-2-2000; Ord. No. 559, 5-15-2001; Ord. No. 5770, 5-7-2002; Ord. No. 608, 4-6-2004; Ord. No. 719, § 6-02, 11-19-2012; Ord. No. 10, 5-6-2014) State Law reference— State building code, C.G.S. § 29-251 et seq.