Greenwich Zoning Regulations Set Lot Size and Building Limits for All Development Proposals

The Town of Greenwich's Planning and Zoning Commission maintains the official zoning map and Building Zone Regulations that apply to every site plan, subdivision, rezoning application and zoning text amendment submitted within town limits. These rules determine where and how residents can develop property, with immediate effect on any new permit request filed with the Building Division of the Department of Public Works.

Residential districts operate under a stepped density system. RA districts such as RA-4 require larger lots and impose 75-foot front and rear setbacks. R districts including R-20, R-12 and R-7 permit smaller lots and apply setbacks of 25 to 40 feet. Floor Area Ratio limits further restrict total building size relative to lot area, ranging from 0.0625 in RA-4 zones to 0.60 in R-MF zones.

Rules for Accessory Structures and Permits

Accessory structures face uniform height and separation standards across districts. They may not exceed 25 feet in height and must sit at least 5 feet from other buildings. Maximum floor area ranges from 600 to 1,200 square feet depending on the zone. Structures smaller than 200 square feet are exempt from building permits, though any structure taller than 6 feet still requires a zoning permit before construction begins.

These standards affect residents who plan additions, garages, sheds or pool houses. Property owners must measure proposed work against the specific requirements of their zoning district before submitting plans, because non-compliant applications are returned for revision.

Reporting Violations and Seeking Variances

Residents who observe possible zoning violations report them to the Zoning Enforcement Officer in the Building Division at 203-622-7753. The Zoning Board of Appeals reviews requests for variances from the adopted regulations. Both processes operate under the current Building Zone Regulations with no scheduled changes to the review sequence.

Anyone preparing a construction project or considering a complaint about a neighboring property can review the official map and regulations maintained by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission's records show the precise boundaries and text that govern each address, allowing residents to determine applicable setbacks, floor area ratios and accessory limits before any work begins.