The Torrington Ordinance Committee convened on September 15, 2025, to discuss significant updates to local regulations that could impact residents and businesses alike. A key focus of the meeting was the proposed changes to the fee structure for building permits, which have not been updated since 2010.

The committee, led by Building Official Kevin Gillette, emphasized the need for a complete rewrite of the existing ordinance to streamline the permitting process and align fees with those of neighboring municipalities. The new structure simplifies the fee calculation, moving from an itemized list to a more straightforward approach based on the total cost of a project. For example, the fee for a $10,000 residential deck would increase from $1.45 to $1.92 per $1,000 of project value. While this represents a modest increase, the committee believes it will generate additional revenue for the city while remaining competitive with surrounding areas.

Another significant topic discussed was the introduction of daily fines for zoning violations. The committee proposed amendments to clarify that fines would be assessed at $150 per day for each violation, addressing previous ambiguities in the ordinance. This change aims to strengthen enforcement and ensure compliance with zoning regulations.

The committee plans to move forward with these proposals, scheduling public hearings to gather community input. The updates reflect a broader effort to modernize Torrington's regulations and improve the efficiency of city operations, ultimately benefiting residents and businesses by fostering a clearer and more effective regulatory environment.

As these changes progress, the city council will continue to engage with the community to ensure that the new ordinances meet the needs of all stakeholders involved.