Permits and Licenses

Building Department

Building Official: Francis Jasmin - 693-7854
Email- fjasmin@townofcantonct.org

Building Permits: $14/$1000 of value or portion thereof. Minimum permit fee is $28. PLEASE DO NOT DETERMINE YOUR OWN FEE. ONLY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL CAN DO THAT. THANK YOU.

Certificate of Occupancy (CO): $30

If the Town of Canton should require expert consultation to review building plans or construction, the costs of such service plus 10% will be paid to the Town of Canton by the permit holder.

Fee Schedule adopted by the Canton Board of Selectmen, effective July 1, 2003.

Office of the Fire Marshal

Fire Marshal: Adam Libros - 693-7857 alibros@townofcantonct.org

Blasting Permits are required before any blasting can occur. A copy of a blasting license, proof of insurance and a Call Before You Dig Permit number must be provided before a Blasting Permit can be issued. The fee for a Blasting Permit is $20. Call Before You Dig can be reached at 1-800-922-4455 and must be contacted at least two days in advance of blasting or digging

Burning Permits are required before any outdoor burning can occur. The fee for one day Burning Permits is $15.

Plan Reviews are required for any new construction, alteration of an existing building or change of use of a building, other than a one or two family home, to check for compliance with the Connecticut Fire Safety Code.

Park/Town Property Facility Use Request Form

An event application is required for any event that is held on Town owned property.  Click here for the Application to Reserve/Use Town Facility or Property.

Health Department

Farmington Valley Health District
50 Avon Meadow Lane 
Avon, CT 06001
676-1953
676-2131 (fax)

The Town of Canton belongs to the Farmington Valley Health District in lieu of maintaining a separate health department. Please check the FVHD Website for the most up to date information.

For a current fee schedule, click here

Historic Districts

Canton Center Historic District Commission, Chairman: Vicki Arel (860) 693-4064

Collinsville Historic District Commission, Chairman: David Leff - 693-4875

Historic District Enforcement Officer: Contact the Land Use Department - 693-7856
E-mail address: sbrodeur@townofcantonct.org

The Canton Center and Collinsville Historic District Commissions regulate the appearance of structures and other improvements visible from the street within their respective districts. The Canton Center and Collinsville Historic District regulations can be viewed at the Land Use Office in Town Hall.

Certificates of Appropriateness are required whenever the exterior of a structure visible from the street is altered within the Collinsville Historic District or Canton Center Historic District.

Land Use Office

Director of Planning & Community Development, Town Planner: 693-7891

Land Use Coordinator: Sue Brodeur - 693-7856
E-mail address: sbrodeur@townofcantonct.org

The Land Use Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Commission. Questions concerning agendas, applications, deadlines, fees, minutes or other commission matters should be directed to the Land Use Coordinator. The Land Use Coordinator can quickly answer basic planning, zoning and inland wetland questions when the Inland Wetlands Agent or Town Planner or Zoning Enforcement Officer are otherwise unavailable.

Development Technician: 693-7892
E-mail address: npade@townofcantonct.org

The Development Technician (also known as the IWWA Authorized Wetlands Agent and Zoning Enforcement Officer) is responsible for enforcing the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations, as well as The Town of Canton Zoning Regulations. The Development Technician also handles all sign permit and home occupation requests. The Development Technician can quickly answer a broad range of zoning and wetland questions. In the Development Technicians absence, please contact the Town Planner at 693-789

Town Engineer

Town Engineer: R. Kenneth Wassall - 693-7855 kwassall@townofcantonct.org

Excavation/Grading Permits are required whenever depositing, moving or removing more than 500 cubic yards of earthen material. An Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Permit may also be required. The fee for an Excavation/Grading Permit is $60.

Certificates of Appropriateness are required whenever the exterior of a structure visible from the street is altered within the Collinsville Historic District or Canton Center Historic District.

Certificates of Zoning Compliance are required whenever a new structure or addition is constructed or a change of use occurs.

Citizen's Guides to Planning and Zoning are available to the public to borrow on a first come basis. These books explain the planning and zoning process in detail from the perspectives of applicants, commissioners, and the general public. These books speak in generic terms and are not specific to Canton's regulations or other governing documents.

Inland Wetland and Watercourse Permits 1. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Permits - It should state that "Buffer areas extend 100 feet beyond the boundary of a wetland area and 100 feet beyond the boundary of a watercourse. It should also state: Please refer to the IWWA Regulations, Section 19.5, for a complete listing of fees (please note that a $30.00 state surcharge is also added to each fee). For a determination of whether an Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Permit is required and whether an activity is regulated or significant, please contact the IWWA Authorized Agent, at 860-693-7892.

Home Occupation Permits - The fee for a Home Occupation Permit is $20.00.  Contact the Land Use office at 860-693-7892 for information regarding Home Occupation Permits.

Motor Vehicle Dealer's & Repairer's License Certificates of Appropriateness are required when opening a new establishment or assuming ownership of an existing establishment. The fee is $35 and requires a hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for new establishments and administrative review by the Chairman of the ZBA for transfers of license.

Sign Permits are required before any sign can be installed on the ground or on a structure. Signs are regulated by the Canton Zoning Regulations which are available in the Land Use Office in Town Hall. Fess are $1.00 per square foot, subject to a minimum fee of $25.00. If a sign does not meet the standards of Section 63 of the the Town of Canton Zoning and requires review and action by the Zoning Commission or a Special Exemption with a public hearing, the state surcharge will be assessed. Temporary public interest signs may be placed in the area of Mill's Pond Area at the intersection of Simonds Avenue and East Hill Road with a permit.  The permit is available here.  The Regulations are also available by clicking here.  The fee is $5. For more information contact John Bennett, Parks & Recreation Director at 693-5808.

Site Development Plan approval is required from the Zoning Commission before building any new structures or additions to existing structures other than single family homes. Special Exception Permits may also be required. The fee for Site Development Plans is $100 plus $25 per 1000 square feet or portion thereof of new, non-residential floor area or $100 plus $10 per dwelling unit. The fee for modifications to an existing Site Development Plan is $100 plus $25 per 1000 square feet or portion thereof of new, non-residential floor area or $100 plus $10 per dwelling unit. Minor modifications of a Site Development Plan involving minor technical changes are $60.

Special Exception Permits may be required from the Zoning Commission when changing the use of land or structures. The fee for a Special Exception Permit is $150.

Subdivision or Resubdivision approval is required from the Planning Commission when splitting a lot of record as of June 3, 1957 into three or more parcels. The fee for a subdivision is $10 plus $200 per lot on existing roads plus $250 per lot on new roads. For corner lots on both old and new streets, the higher fee will prevail..

Zoning Appeals of the Zoning Enforcement Officer's decisions are heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals and the application fee is $20.

Zoning Variances are required when altering land or structures thereon in a manner inconsistent with the Canton Zoning Regulations. Variance applications are heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals and the application fee is $20.

Police Department

Chief of Police: Lowell Humphrey - 693-0221 (for emergencies dial 911)
lhumphrey@townofcantonct.org

Federal Firearms Licenses are required to sell firearms and must be approved by the Chief of Police.

Peddler's and Solicitor's Licenses are required for selling or taking orders for goods or services from anywhere other than a permanent commercial establishment. Peddling goods from a temporary location on private property also requires a Special Exception Permit from the Zoning Commission. Fees for Peddler's and Solicitor's Licenses vary according to the duration of the permit.

Pistol Permits are required to carry pistols in Canton and must be approved by the Chief of Police.

Town Clerk's Office (closed from 1:00-2:00 p.m. for lunch)

Town Clerk: Linda Smith - 693-7870 or lsmith@townofcantonct.org  

Town Clerk's website page click here

Dial-A-Ride Tickets are available at the Town Clerk's Office. They are $.50 each

Dog Licenses are required for all dogs 6 months and older and must be renewed annually in June. Proof of current rabies vaccination with expiration date is required. The fee for Dog Licenses is $8 per year if the dog is spayed or neutered and $19 per year if it is not spayed or neutered. A $1 late fee is charged for every month that a license renewal is overdue. To download a Dog License Application, click HERE.

Fishing Licenses are required for persons 16 years and older fishing in inland waters. The cost of Fishing Licenses is $20 for residents, $40 for non-residents, $16 for three day non-residents and free for mentally retarded, blind or disabled persons and senior citizens 65 and older. The Connecticut Angler's Guide 2008 and licenses are available at the Town Clerk's Office in Town Hall. Click here for more info.

Hunting Licenses are required for persons 13 years and older hunting within Connecticut. Proof of holding a license in the last five years or completion of a qualified firearms course is required. Firearms Hunting Licenses are $14 for residents, $3 for children ages 13 to 15, $67 for non-residents and free to senior citizens 65 years and older. Firearms Hunting and Fishing Licenses are $28 for residents, $88 for non-residents and free to senior citizens 65 years and older. Trapping Licenses are $25 for residents, $3 for children 13 to 15. Archery Hunting Permits are available only from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Other permits and fees may apply. The Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide 2008 and most licenses are available at the Town Clerk's Office in Town Hall.  Click here for more info.

Marriage Licenses are required for marriage ceremonies conducted in Connecticut. Blood tests for bride and groom and proof of rubella vaccination for the bride are no longer required. You may obtain the marriage license form either the town in which you are getting married, the Connecticut town in which the bride resides, or the Connecticut town in which the groom resides. The fee for Marriage Licenses is $30 and proof of identification is required. For a Marriage License Worksheet, click here.  To request a certified marriage certificate, click here.

Civil Union Licenses are required for Civil Union ceremonies conducted in Connecticut. You may obtain the Civil Union license from either the town in which you are being joined or the Connecticut town in which either partner resides. Persons who are already joined in a Vermont Civil Union or a California Domestic Partnership may not enter into a Connecticut Civil Union since they are already joined in a relationship which is legally recognized in Connecticut. The fee for Civil Union Licenses is $30 and proof of identification is required. For a Civil Union License Worksheet, click here.  To request a certified civil union certificate, click here.

Passports applications are available at the Town Clerk's Office. These applications are processed through the Probate Court. Appointments must be made in advance by calling 693-7851.

Transfer Station Permits are required to use the Canton Transfer Station on Powder Mill Road and can be purchased at the Town Clerk's Office.  Click here for the Transfer Station Policy.

Residential Transfer Station Permits are $80 per household plus $1 per additional car annually.  
Bulky Waste Tokens are required in addition to Transfer Station Permits when dumping bulky waste.  Tokens are $5 per visit for cars, $15 per visit for pick-ups, vans and SUVs, and $50 per visit for dump-truck size loads.
Brush costs $5 (one token) per load.
White Goods cost $25 (five tokens) per item with freon and $5 without freon for disposal.
Tires cost $5 per car tire and $15 per truck tire for disposal.
Click here to order passes and tokens by mail. 

Water Pollution Control Authority

Wastewater Treatment Plant: 693-7867

Sewer Connection Permits are required to tap into the public sewers in those areas of Town served by the Water Pollution Control Authority. The permit requires a $35 inspection fee. The cost of hookup varies according to use and is subject to change.