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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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October 13, 2009 |
A Publication of QVHD |
So You Want to Add an Addition or Pool
By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD
Imagine you have just
found the perfect house! Well, almost perfect. It's a little small and
has too few bathrooms, but over the years you plan to be there, you will
add on as your family grows. No problem, right? After all, you are the
homeowner, so you should be able to do what you want!
This is not always the case and many homeowners are devastated when they
find out that they can not do as they planned. There are environmental,
building and zoning regulations that affect adding on to your home or
building additional structures. All people who are building or adding to
your home, need a permit from the building department of your town
before you build. AND if your home has a septic system or well, you also
need a permit from your local health department, and that is required
before you can get your building permit.
Building and zoning regulations may address issues such as your lot
size, the distance from your neighbor's property line or the distance
from the center of the road. Environmental health issues most often come
into play for properties that have septic systems and wells. There are
specific regulations about the placement of structures in relation to
the location of the septic system and the well. In addition, there is a
regulation, CT Public Health Code, Section B100(a) which requires that
if you want to add an addition, shed, garage or swimming pool, there
must be an area on your property for a replacement septic system, should
your current system fail after you build your addition.
If the house you are looking to buy has a septic system and a well, and
if you are purchasing a house with the intention of adding on to make it
suitable for your family (or if your heart is set on putting in a
swimming pool) learn about B100(a) BEFORE you make the purchase. Note:
B100(a) applies to all homes, just purchased or owned for years, new or
old.
Section 19-13-B100a, commonly referred to as “B100a” of the Connecticut
Public Health Code states that permission for building additions (or
pools, bedrooms, decks, etc.) can not be granted until it is shown that
there is a suitable area on your property for a complete replacement
septic system to be installed should the old septic system fail after
your addition (or pool, deck, etc.) is built. This is the law and it is
up to the local health department to enforce it. (If your addition is
not a bedroom and if it does not expand the size of the existing
structure and if it doesn't take up land space, you may be able to get a
health department permit with only a thorough review of your plans by a
health department representative.)
There is a lot more to know about this process. Educate yourself before
you make a purchase or spend money on having plans drawn up. District
residents can call QVHD, 248-4528 to speak to a sanitarian or request a
“B100a” fact sheet, or you can view the fact sheet on line, www.qvhd.org
, Environmental section, “Adding an Addition.”
| An Ounce of Prevention is a
publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at
1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone:
248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is
written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor &
Beth-Wood News.
The content is provided as health education and
information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to
be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made
by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district
office. |
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