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  • Home
  • COVID-19
    • At-Home Test Kits
    • COVID-19 Booster Information
    • COVID-19 Testing
    • Weekly Updates for COVID-19 Positivity Rates Within the Torrington Area Health District (TAHD) Jurisdiction
    • Self-Isolation and ​Self-Quarantine
  • Programs & Services
    • Environmental Health >
      • Healthy Homes
      • Lead Information
      • Asbestos >
        • Overview
        • Asbestos Abatement
        • Vermiculite Concerns
      • Beauty Salon and Barber Shop Licensing
      • Bed Bug Information
      • Building Conversions, Additions and Accessory Structures
      • Day Care Centers
      • General Septic System Information >
        • Steps to Constructing a Building with No Public Sewers or Public Water
        • On-site Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems
        • Repair and Replacement
      • Lake and Pond Swimming Areas
      • Noise Regulations
      • Private Water Wells
      • Public Swimming Pools
      • Radon Awareness
      • Soil Testing
      • Tattoo Salons
      • Water Testing Laboratories
    • Community Health >
      • Suicide Prevention
      • Opioid Epidemic
      • Bats & Rabies
      • Bed Bugs
      • Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
      • Communicable and Chronic Disease Program
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Fit Together NWCT
      • Immunization >
        • Immunization Program
        • Connecticut Vaccine Program (CVP)
        • Connecticut Immunization Information System (CT WiZ)
      • Community Health Needs Assessment
      • Lyme Disease & Ticks >
        • About Lyme Disease
        • Tick Removal & Testing
      • TAHD Medical Reserve Corp
      • Travel Health
    • Food Protection Inspection Program >
      • Overview of Food Protection Section
      • Guidelines for Food Service at Temporary Events
      • Itinerant Vendor / Mobile Vendor Food Service Requirements
      • FDA Food Code Information >
        • Testing Organizations
      • Qualified Food Operator
      • Foodborne Illness Investigation
      • Preoperational Guidelines & Application for Food Service Establishments
      • Keeping Food Safe During Extended Power Outage
      • Procedures to Safely Reopen After Storm
      • Food Service Establishment Inspections
    • Local Regulations
  • Forms & Applications
    • General Forms & Applications
    • Food Service Forms & Applications
    • Fee Schedule
  • Contact
  • About Us
    • Overview
    • Board Members >
      • Board of Health Meeting Minutes
    • TAHD Staff
    • Satellite Office Locations
    • District Municipalities
    • Needs Assessment >
      • Litchfield County Community Health
      • Executive Summary
      • Litchfield County Transformation Grant
    • Public Health Introduction Video
    • Employment Opportunities
  • News & Events
    • Newsletter
    • Weather Related Closures

Building Conversions, Additions and Accessory Structures

Section 19-13-B100a of the Connecticut Public Health Code sets minimum standards for preserving subsurface sewage disposal areas on lots that are served by a septic system. The intent is to regulate activities that might increase the amount of sewage discharged to a septic system and construction activities that could reduce the area available for replacement of the septic system. Under this regulation any type of construction activity on a lot served by a septic system must be approved by TAHD prior to obtaining a permit from the local building official. This includes the construction of decks, sheds, swimming pools, barns and garages as well as increases in the number of bedrooms or other living space. Changes-of-use (Example: residential house being changed to a business facility) and conversions (Example: summer cottage converted to a year-round home) must also be reviewed and approved. A brief explanation of the impact of this regulation on construction activities is noted below.

  • Additions of bedrooms, conversions, or changes-of-use that increase water usage can be permitted if there is sufficient room on the property to install a septic system in conformance with current Health Code requirements.
  • Additions of living space can be permitted if there is sufficient area to install a septic system that represents 50% of the area required under current Health Code requirements and the addition does not reduce the amount of area available for a replacement septic system.
  • Accessory structures such as barns, decks, sheds, swimming pools, etc. can be permitted providing that the accessory structure meets proper separating distances and does not reduce the septic system replacement area.


The determination of whether there is a suitable septic system area that meets the Health Code rests on analysis of soil data in our files (if it exists), neighboring wells, lakes and streams, inland-wetlands and other land features. In cases where there are no records on the existing septic system it may be necessary to conduct soil testing before a decision can be made. In many cases, a new septic system does not have to be installed unless there is a problem with the existing one. Simple applications can be processed in the office, others may involve a field inspection and site testing. Large additions or complicated site conditions may require evaluation by a Professional Engineer. Applicants are encouraged to Contact the TAHD for specific information before signing any construction contracts.



Please view the satellite office locations for contact information.   

An application can be downloaded, although it must be accompanied with the proper fee prior to review.



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Torrington Area Health District
350 Main Street, Suite A
Torrington, CT 06790-5000
(860) 489-0436  Fax  (860) 496-8243 
Hours
​-Monday, Tuesday, Thursday- 8:00am to 4:00pm.
-Wednesday-
8:00am to 6:00pm.
​-Friday-
8:00am to 1:00pm.
 
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TAHD provides local public health services for the towns of Bantam, Bethlehem, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Middlebury, Morris, Norfolk, North Canaan, Plymouth, Salisbury, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Watertown & Winsted.
© 2023 Torrington Area Health District. All Rights Reserved.
The Torrington Area Health District is an equal opportunity provider, and employer.  If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html , or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form.  You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form.  Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@USDA.gov.