Seasonal Dwellings

Background

On December 31, 1981, the Town of Old Saybrook recorded in the Land Records in Volume 200, Pages 1-32 a list of 561 residential properties that it considered to be seasonal dwellings. This list was complied by a review of the Assessor’s records by the Town Assessor. There have been many questions raised as to the status of these properties. At its meeting held on June 15, 2011, the Board of Selectmen reviewed the status of these properties and based upon the available Town records has re-classified a portion of those properties found to have documentation on file as year-round properties.

For those properties without documentation to support year-round status, at a Town Meeting on August 23, 2011, the Town updated the process for conversion of a seasonal dwelling for year-round use in Chapter 170 “Conversion of a Seasonal Dwelling” of the Town Code.

Process

Before petitioning to change the status of property classified as year-round:

• Read thoroughly Chapter 170 "Conversion of a Seasonal Dwelling" of the Town Code.
• Look at the current Assessor’s property card to verify whether the property is restricted to “seasonal” use (original Notice recorded in Volume 200, Page 1-32 on December 31, 1981).

To prepare your petition:

• Use the “Notice Regarding the Status of a Seasonal Dwelling in Old Saybrook” as your petition to the Board of Selectmen.
• Contact these officials regarding applicable permits/fees necessary to certify the dwelling as suitable for year-round use:

Please note: The “Notice” must include original signatures from the Director of Health and the Building Official no older than 180 days.

Submit the petition and other supporting materials as required by the Town Code:

• The Office of the First Selectman will schedule the petition for consideration by the Board of Selectmen and contact the property owner about that date.
• The Board meets regularly on the 2nd Tuesday (10 a.m.) and the 4th Tuesday (7 p.m.) of every month in the First Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street, unless otherwise posted. You may view the minutes of the Board meeting on our Town website.

Finals steps:

• If the Board approves the petition, then the Office of the First Selectman will file the “Notice Regarding the Status of a Seasonal Dwelling in Old Saybrook” on the Land Records.
• The Office of the First Selectman will mail the “Notice” to property owner, as well as copy the “Notice” to the Assessor, the Building Official, CRAHD, and the Land Use Department for future reference.

Contact the Office of the First Selectmen for answers to any questions.