Step One:
Contact the Economic Development Coordinator Jeremi Johnson. Contact the Economic Development Coordinator by phone (860) 945-4858 or email [email protected].
The Economic Development Coordinator will answer any questions you may have about the process of opening a business in Watertown and will advise you on how to proceed.
Step Two:
Contact the Land Use Department Administrator of Land Use Spencer Musselman. Contact the Administrator of Land Use by phone (860) 945-5266 or by email [email protected].
A business that wants to open or relocate to Watertown in a new location, whether in an existing or new building, is asked to obtain a Zoning Permit. Fill out a zoning application which provides information regarding the type of business you are establishing, and helps speed up the approval process by providing all the information at one time.
- Certain businesses may only need to notify the Land Use Office of their intentions, fill out an application and may receive administrative approvals or sign off on a Trade Name
- Other businesses may be required to obtain additional approvals. You will be informed with what is required for such review, approximate timing and
Step Three:
Contact the Assistant Zoning Enforcement & Wetlands Officer Cameron Natusch at (860) 945-5266 or [email protected]
If you are building a new building, or expanding a building, contact the Land Use official to determine if your plans may impact inland wetlands on the property. If impacted, an application and site plan review by the Inland Wetlands Commission may be necessary.
Step Four:
Contact the Torrington Area Health District Sanitarian Wendy Batterton. Contact the Sanitarian by phone (860) 945-4706 or email [email protected].
This is the local health department for the Town of Watertown, responsible for inspection of restaurants and other food service establishments, day care centers, water supplies and septic systems, etc., helping the control of communicable diseases, licensing and/or regulations of activities as required by the Connecticut General Statutes, the Connecticut Public Health Code and local (District) regulations.
Step Five:
Contact the Fire Marshal Kim Calabrese. The Fire Marshal can be reached by phone (860) 945-5220 or by email [email protected].
This office will advise you of the fire protection requirements, including a business in a residential home. If necessary, they will review your plans and provide required approvals.
Step Six:
Contact the Building Department Building Official Jeffrey Biolo. The Building Official can be reached by phone at (860) 945-5264 or by email [email protected].
The building Department reviews building plans for code compliance, issues building permits, and does construction and fire alarm/suppression inspections. Remodeling, repair, demolition, and new construction cannot be started at your business until permits have been acquired. Any new developments must also be in compliance with Watertown’s Plan of Conservation and Development and Inland Wetlands Regulations. Once your property gets final approval, you are ready to open for business.
Step Seven:
Contact the Town Clerk Lisa Dalton. The Town Clerk can be reached by phone at (860) 945-5230 or by email [email protected].
After completing the above steps, you are now ready to determine if you are required to obtain a Trade Name Certificate as required by State law.
Step Eight:
Contact the Assessor, Faith Richmond. The Assessor can be reached by phone at (860) 945-5235 or by email [email protected].
On October 1st of each year, personal property declarations are sent to each business in Watertown by the Assessor’s Office. Each business, including home based business, must declare all furniture, fixtures and equipment used to operate their business.
Once you have completed the above steps, Welcome to Watertown!