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Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Regulations & Applications: Washington, Connecticut (CT)

The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission is the Town of Washington’s only land use agency that is mandated and empowered by the State of Connecticut to enforce the Inland Wetlands Act (sections 22a- 36 and 22a-45 inclusive) of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended.

All landowners and contractors shall familiarize themselves with the Town of Washington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations prior to performing any activities on their property. If you have any questions regarding whether or not your proposed activity requires a permit, please call us at (860) 354-9346 so that we may assist you. The Commission regulates not only activities in a wetlands but any activities in the “regulated area” adjacent to the wetlands and/or watercourses which has the potential to adversely impact the wetlands or watercourse. Typical regulated activities include but are not limited to: patios, decks, new houses, removal of vegetated understory or stream cover, grubbing, grading, paving, excavating, filling, constructing, installing or repairing septic systems, depositing or removing material, diverting or obstructing water flow and discharging storm water within a wetlands or regulated area.

Below please find various application forms and the actual Town of Washington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations. If you have any questions relative to whether or not a portion of your property has wetlands or your proposed activity has the potential to impact wetlands, please do not hesitate to contact us at (860) 354-9346 so that we may assist you. We also offer full service land use permitting where we handle the entire permitting process from beginning to end.

Washington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations
Adopted on June 14, 1974, last revised February 3, 2009, the Town of Washington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations should be consulted prior to performing any activity within a wetlands and/or watercourses or within an upland review area. By definition an upland review area means the land within one hundred (100) feet, measured horizontally, of the boundary of any wetlands or watercourse. Furthermore, the Agency may rule that activities on a land area where conditions such as steep slopes (15% grade or more) may have a physical impact on a wetlands or watercourse are subject to review.

Washington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Application for Permit
This is the actual permit that you must fill out for any proposed activity that is regulated by the Washington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. This form must be fully completed prior to submission.

Washington Guide to Filling Out the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Application for Permit
This is a guide on how to properly fill out the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Application for Permit.

Washington Land Use Brochure
This brochure gives general oversight as to the land use permit requirements in the Town of Washington.

DEP Wetlands Activity Reporting Form
This form is submitted by the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission and/or their authorized representative to theConnecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) once a permit is issued. This form is typically submitted as part of the application package for permit.

USGS Quadrangle Index Map
The DEP Wetlands Activity Reporting Form requires you to determine the USGS (United States Geological Survey) Quadrangle map number for which the subject property resides in. We provide this index so you may quickly determine which map number your property falls within.

Washington Subregional Basin Index
The DEP Wetlands Activity Reporting Form requires you to determine the watershed subregional basin number for which the subject property resides in. We provide this index so you may quickly determine which watershed subregional basin number your property falls within.

Connecticut Public Act 05-124
This Act states that an applicant cannot file a permit application other than for interior work in an existing building or for exterior work that does not expand or alter the footprint of an existing building if the subject property is encumbered by a conservation restriction or preservation restriction. Please read the above Act fully to ensure that your permit will not be unnecessarily overturned if it is to be appealed.

Washington Natural Diversity Database Map
Section 26-310 of the Connecticut General Statutes provides that any activity authorized by a state agency, including any activity issued a permit by DEP, must not threaten the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species. If your activity is located in an area of concern, DEP’s Connecticut Natural Diversity Data Base (CT NDDB) program will conduct a detailed review to determine if there will be any impact from your project and you will be notified of their results. See the attached map along with associated instruction to determine if you are potentially impacted.

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Washington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations
This is a copy of the Town of Washington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission Regulations that were effective as of April 1, 1998 and were replaced February 3, 2009 by revised regulations. These are provided as a reference to see how the Regulations have evolved over time.

If you have any questions regarding the interpretation of a local land use regulation or application or you are interested in working with us on a project, contact us at (860) 354-9346. We look forward to speaking with you!

Please note that you should always contact the Town of Washington to determine if the Regulations and/or application forms have recently changed.