Zoning Enforcement

Zoning Enforcement Officer(s)

The Planning & Zoning Commission appoints one or more Zoning Enforcement Officer(s) - generally at least one of whom is a full-time professional staff member.  ZEOs are empowered to investigate potential zoning violations, issue orders to cease & desist, and/or to issue citations and fines.  For more info on how zoning violations are handled, see Section 9.4 of our Regulations, and also CGS 8-12.  Since the team is not resourced adequately to be out "on patrol" every day, we must rely on members of the community who care about Ridgefield to do the right thing, and also to question if something looks like a potential zoning violation.  If you see something, it's OK to ask and/or check!

Zoning Complaints

If you believe someone or something may be violating our Zoning Regulations, we recommend as a first step to check the property address on our online permit system (VPC/OpenGov), to determine if there is a permit recently issued for the work in question.  (Note that depending on the type of work, it could require permits from town agencies other than PZC.)  

If you are unable to find a permit, and/or still concerned about what you see, you may file a complaint with the ZEO.  If your concern relates to wetlands and/or conservation lands, the the Inland Wetlands Agent / Conservation Enforcement Officer should be consulted.  All complaints must be in writing, and - as with most government records - are subject to public disclosure per CT FOI regulations.