Building and Fire Code Modifications, Exemptions and Waivers

How To

Building Code
Applicants should complete a Request for Modification and submit it, along with supporting documentation if required, to the local building official for the project, who will in turn submit it to the Office of the State Building Inspector for consideration. 

All modification requests can be emailed to DAS.CodeModifications@ct.gov

Fire Safety Code

Applicants should complete a Request for Modification and submit it, along with supporting documentation if required, to the fire marshal for the project, who will in turn submit it to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for consideration.

All modification requests can be emailed to DAS.CodeModifications@ct.gov

Educational Sprinkler Waiver

The State Fire Marshal and the State Building Inspector may jointly grant variations or exemptions from, or approve equivalent or alternate compliance with, the requirement in subdivision (2) of C.G.S. 29-315 ("Fire Extinguishing System Required For Certain Buildings"), where strict compliance with such requirement would entail practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship or is otherwise adjudged unwarranted.

All modification requests can be emailed to DAS.CodeModifications@ct.gov

Transition to 2022 State Codes

The new state building and fire safety codes will apply to projects for which a permit is applied for after the effective date.

If you have a project that will be significantly impacted by this change in codes, you may apply for a code modification from the Office of the State Building Inspector and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (separate applications) to allow the project to continue under the 2018 state codes. This process, colloquially known as a grace period, will be available for approximately three months from the effective date.

Applications should state: "Requesting approval for this project to continue under the 2018 Connecticut State [Building / Fire Safety] code, because..." and briefly summarize why switching the project to the 2022 state codes would entail practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship.

The modification applications are first required to be submitted to the local building official and fire marshal, who will then forward to this office.