The General Assembly passed legislation extending the term of zoning approvals that were effective as of March 10, 2020, the date the Governor declared a State of Emergency to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The adopted legislation is in two parts: Public Act 21-34 (effective June 10, 2021) and HB 6541 (to become effective upon the Governor’s signature). The extensions are summarized as follows:

  • Modifies the term of any permit issued under General Statutes § 22a-42a (inland wetlands) for which an approval is also required under chapter 124 (zoning), 124b (incentive housing zones), 126 (municipal planning commissions) or 126a (affordable housing land use appeals): such approval shall not take effect until such approval, as applicable, granted under such chapter has taken effect.
  • The following approvals made (1) prior to July 1, 2011, that have not expired prior to the effective date of this section, or (2) on or after July 1, 2011, but prior to June 10, 2021, that did not expire prior to March 10, 2020, shall expire not less than fourteen (14) years after the date of such approval, and the commission may grant one or more extensions of time to complete all or part of the work in connection with such approval, provided no approval, including all extensions, shall be valid for more than nineteen (19) years from the date of approval:
    • Site plan approvals pursuant to CGS § 8-3 (except an approval for “large scale development” under CGS § 8-3(j));
    • Subdivision approvals pursuant to CGS § 8-26c;
    • Permits issued pursuant to CGS § 22a-42a;
    • Any site plan, subdivision or permit approval by a zoning commission, planning commission, combined planning and zoning commission, zoning board of appeals or inland wetlands agency pursuant to the provisions of any special act.
  • The following approvals made (1) prior to July 1, 2011, that have not expired prior to the effective date of this section, or (2) on or after July 1, 2011, but prior to June 10, 2021, that did not expire prior to March 10, 2020, shall expire not less than nineteen (19) years after the date of such approval:
    • Subdivision approvals pursuant to CGS § 8-26g (subdivisions of land consisting of 400 or more dwelling units).
  • The following approvals made (1) prior to July 1, 2011, that have not expired prior to the effective date of this section, or (2) on or after July 1, 2011, but prior to June 10, 2021, that did not expire prior to March 10, 2020, and which specified a deadline by which all work in connection with such approval is required to be completed, shall expire not less than nineteen (19) years after the date of such approval, and the commission may grant one or more extensions of time to complete all or part of the work:
    • Special permit and special exception approvals pursuant to CGS §§ 8-3c or 8-26e; and,
    • Any special permit or special exception approval by a zoning commission, planning commission, combined planning and zoning commission, zoning board of appeals or inland wetlands agency pursuant to the provisions of any special act.