Trainings and Certifications
With the passage of HB 6107, Connecticut became the 7th state to enact state-level training requirements, and it also requires zoning enforcement officials to obtain certification.
What’s good about training and certification?
Technical expertise.
Training can help commissioners and zoning officials understand architecture, engineering, and law — and make better decisions on our behalf.
Problem-solving skills.
With more training, commissioners and zoning officials will make decisions that align with our values and address unintended impacts like inequality.
Less risk for towns.
Better-trained commissioners and zoning officials could avoid lawsuits that costs towns — and Connecticut taxpayers — millions of dollars each year.
Photo by David Travis on Unsplash.
Get Involved in Your Local Commissions!
Get involved in local decision-making by attending planning and zoning meetings!
FAQs
What does HB 6107 require? The short version is that it requires land use commissioners to have four hours of training every two years and requires certification for zoning enforcement officers, another requirement that can improve decision-making in the long run. Check out the fuller explanation here!
Why do we need training for volunteer commissioners? Land use decisions are complex engineering, technical and legal matters, and yet all the decisions are made by well-meaning, but untrained volunteers. No one expects volunteers to become professional planners, but it is important for decision-makers to have a grounding about the decisions being made, and their broader context.
Do other states require training? States across the country have recognized that training is essential for zoning commissioners making decisions that affect the environment, health, and social equity. Check out New York’s requirements and those of other states!
Will these recommendations save towns money? Yes. In January 2021 when we conducted a count, Connecticut courts showed 159 active cases where town zoning boards, commissions, or officers were sued for zoning process violations. Some cases have probably costs towns hundreds of thousands of dollars each: 13 are appellate court cases, and 6 are Connecticut Supreme Court cases. One town alone was a defendant in 9 cases, and several others had 3-4 cases each. Better training for commissioners and enforcement officers will save towns money over the long run.
RESOURCES
UConn CLEAR's Land Use Academy is an example of trainings all commissioners should receive.
A report recording how and why even back in 2006 many states had adopted training requirements for land use officials — and reinforcing that it’s time for Connecticut to catch up.
A brief statement from the Connecticut Association of Zoning Enforcement Officials about why zoning enforcement officers should be certified.