Sep 5, 2007
Ridgefield Answer Book: Property Issues
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What’s up with the town’s zoning laws?
The Planning and Zoning Commission adopted a completely revised and updated set of zoning regulations on May 1, 2007 after almost two years of work. The regulations have been made easier to use and understand. The most substantial changes involve calculations for lot coverage and floor area, establishment of a Village District within the Central Business District, updated zoning definitions, change of use procedures for commercial properties, establishment of an integrated age-restricted housing district, sign regulations, and changes in architectural review requirements. Changes regarding the keeping of livestock on residential properties is covered in the Pets & Animals chapter of the Answer Book.
Copies of the regulations may be purchased at the Planning and Zoning Office at the Town Hall Annex, 66 Prospect Street, or downloaded from the Town's website at ridgefieldct.org, under Departments / Planning and Zoning / Zoning Regulations.
What kinds of work do I need a building permit for?
Any and all construction requires a permit from the building department.
This includes internal and external remodeling, enlarging, additions, and new construction. Call 431-2743 for more information.
When do I need a zoning permit?
Before a building permit can be issued in Connecticut, a zoning approval is required.
This is for both interior and exterior work. Call 431-2766 for more information.
When do you need sewer approval?
Approval for sewers is needed when seeking a permit for an addition, a new home, a new business, and it may require approval from the town sanitarian (431-2745) or the Water Pollution Control Authority (431-2734). This is a prerequisite to a zoning or building permit.
Whom do I call if my neighbor’s septic system is leaking onto my property?
Call the health department at 431-2745.
Can I rent an apartment in my house?
Accessory apartments may be created and rented in houses within certain areas of the town. Accessory Success is a 24-page guide to creating an accessory apartment. It covers logistical, financial, regulatory, and practical issues regarding such apartments. Copies are available at the information center in town hall, at the Planning and Zoning Department in the town hall annex at 66 Prospect Street, or by e-mailing the Ridgefield Affordable Housing Committee at affordablehousing@snet.net. For specific information, call the Planning and Zoning Commission at 431-2766.
Can I start a bed and breakfast?
A bed and breakfast may be operated with a permit and compliance with certain regulations. Among other things, the operation must be run by the resident owner of the property and there must be adequate off-street parking. Call Planning and Zoning at 431-2766.
Do I need a permit for a business in my home?
Certain “customary home occupations” in residential zones may be operated as-of-right or with a permit from the zoning enforcement officer, and other businesses may be operated with a special permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Call 431-2766 for details.
Are there any requirements for putting up signs?
The town has specific sign regulations, and generally signs require a permit from the zoning enforcement officer. There are exceptions, including: residential signs not more than two square feet in total area; temporary political signs; historic plaques issued by the Ridgefield Historical Society. Also exempted are temporary signs for special events for non-residential uses in residential areas, such as religious institutions or nonprofit agencies. These signs may not exceed six square feet, may not be posted more than two weeks prior to a special event, must be posted only on the property where the event takes place, may not be in any street right-of-way, and must be taken down promptly after the event has taken place.
Real estate “for sale” signs may not exceed four square feet.
Who is responsible for shoveling snow off sidewalks?
That is the responsibility of property owners with frontage abutting the sidewalk. Snow must be removed from sidewalks within eight hours of the end of a storm, but not later than noon of the following day. If it is not removed within 24 hours, the town will hire a contractor to do so at the property owner’s expense. Snow plowed or shoveled out at the end of a driveway should be put to the side, not out into the road. Violators may be fined.
Homeowners should shovel or plow their driveways so all snow is pushed to the right side as you face the road. This will minimize the amount of snow pushed back into a driveway by town plows.
What happens if my mailbox is damaged by a town snowplow?
The town does not accept responsibility for damage to private property within the town right-of-way, which often extends 10 to 20 feet on either side of a paved road. In the event of mailbox damage, the town will only repair or replace mailboxes having actual contact with snow removal equipment, not mailboxes damaged by the force of snow being plowed.
When installing your mailbox and its post, take into account the rigors of snow removal. Consider positioning your mailbox to minimize the force of snow that will be pushed against it.
How do I get a burn permit?
Burn permits are issued by the fire marshal’s office at Fire Headquarters, 6 Catoonah Street. You may fill out a form at the fire house Monday through Friday from 8 to 4. The fee is $10. You may burn only brush; a permit is required. Burning of leaves is not allowed in Connecticut.
If a tree from my property falls on a town road during a storm, who is responsible for the clean-up?
If the tree falls within the town right-of-way, the town will clean it up. Call the highway department at 431-2748. Any part of the tree that falls on private land is the homeowner’s responsibility.
Whom do I call about hazardous trees?
For trees on the public right-of-way, call Tree Warden John Pinchbeck at 431-2358.
What is radon gas? How serious is it?
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is a naturally occurring decay product of radioactive uranium. It may increase the risk of lung cancer and occurs in this area. Radon gas gets into homes through cracks in foundations, block walls, sump pumps, drains and other openings in cellar floors and walls. It can also be released into the air by running water from faucets and showers if the source of water is a well with high levels of radon.
The simplest way to find out if your home has high levels of radon is a carbon filter test, which can be done by the homeowner. Kits are available at area hardware stores, private labs, or may be purchased by calling the Radon Hotline — 1-800-SOS-RADON — operated by the National Safety Council.
Is there municipal garbage collection?
No. Trash pick-up is a resident’s responsibility. Numerous companies serve Ridgefield. In addition to trash, garbage companies collect recyclables.
Can I take care of my garbage myself?
You may take your own trash to the transfer station on South Street. You must first get a free permit from town hall (bring your car registration). Using a car requires either tokens or money for the amount of garbage. Passenger cars with 120 pounds or less of household garbage may purchase a token ($5) at the scalehouse and then go on to the transfer house without weighing in. Trucks and passenger cars with more than 120 pounds must weigh in and will be charged four cents per pound. Demolition materials and large household items such as carpeting, mattresses, etc., must be weighed and will be charged four cents per pound. There are additional charges for scrap metal, brush, leaves, and tires. Brush in excess of five inches in diameter, stumps, logs, and grass clippings will not be accepted.
The transfer station is open Monday to Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call 431-4137.
What will they not take at the transfer station?
The transfer station will not take hazardous materials, including chemicals of any kind. A detailed list is on the town Web site ridgefieldct.org; click on Public Works. You may also call 431-4137. Call town hall (431-2700) for information on periodic hazardous waste collections. (See below.)
Where does the town’s garbage go?
In essence, it comes back to Ridgefield in the form of electrical energy. Ridgefield is a member of the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority, which oversees municipal waste utilization in 10 towns. The transfer station on South Street collects more than 10,000 tons of garbage every year. The garbage is hauled to an energy-conversion center in Bridgeport, which burns the trash, producing steam, which is then converted into electrical energy through a generator. The resulting megawatts are sent to a regional distribution utility which puts it up for sale on the regional power grid.
Where can I get rid of my hazardous waste?
A regional hazardous waste collection day takes place every fall at the Danbury Public Works Department. This spring there was a collection day at Newtown Public Works. Area towns including Ridgefield participate to reduce costs; the program is free to residents (proof of residency required).
For information on area recycling, visit the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority Web site at hrra.org.
What items are considered hazardous waste?
Items that may be brought to the
Hazardous Waste Day include paint thinner and strippers, photographic chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, household and automotive cleaners, disinfectants, waste fuels, oil-based paints, varnishes, solvents, degreasers, pool chemicals, anti-freeze and other vehicle fluids except motor oil. Motor oil must be taken to a service station. For a complete list of what is accepted, visit hrra.org.
Nickel-cadmium batteries, a mandated recyclable, are not accepted at our recycling centers. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Association runs a national program for recycling Ni-cad batteries; call 800-BATTERY to find a local store that accepts them.
Alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury and may be thrown away with the household trash. Batteries manufactured before 1992 may contain mercury, however, and should be dropped off at the regional household hazardous waste day.
Latex paints are not hazardous waste and should not be brought. Instead, either use up all the paint in the can or add cat litter or vermiculite to dry up the paint. The can, once the paint is no longer in liquid form, may be mixed in with regular garbage.
What do I recycle and where do I take it?
The Ridgefield Recycling Center will take glass bottles and jars; aluminum, steel, tin and aerosol cans; plastic #1-6 bottles but only ones with necks; newspapers, magazines, brown grocery bags and catalogues; corrugated cardboard; aluminum foil and trays; white office paper, computer paper and mixed paper (junk mail, cards, manila folders, colored paper); phone books; milk and juice cartons and aseptic containers (frozen food and ice cream containers); and plastic bags.
It will not accept annual reports, automotive products, books, brown envelopes, carbon forms, chipboard, coated copy paper wrappers, diskettes, FedEx envelopes, folders, goldenrod envelopes, oils, light bulbs, mirrors, oil containers, paint cans, plastic pails and toys, polystyrene (Styrofoam), red rope, spiral binders, unbleached paper, waxed paper, white goods, wood, or hazardous and infectious waste. Scrap metal and yard waste may be left at the transfer station.
The Recycling Center (438-2343), open 7:30 to 3, Tuesday through Saturday, is next to the Transfer Station at 60 South Street. A detailed list of what is accepted and not accepted for recycling is online at ridgefieldct.org.
Can I recycle a cell phone?
Ridgefield’s
Department of Social Services provides seniors and the disabled with deactivated cell phones capable of reaching 911. To donate old phones with chargers, call Mary Ann Baldwin at 431-2777.
Where do I take an old phone book?
The
Ridgefield Recycling Center accepts old phone books.
Southern New England Telephone periodically has its mobile recycling bin at Copps Hill Plaza. Call 800-235-4377 to find out when.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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