Crespo Law Firm, LLC

06/03/2026

Sharing Helpful Information: Clarifying Connecticut’s 9-Year Permit Closure Rule

There has been some confusion regarding the closing out of building permits after nine years, pursuant to C.G.S. §29-265(c). This section refers specifically to permits for which “certificates of occupancy” (“COs”) have not been issued. However, not all permits require a CO. Some permits are closed out by Certificates of Approval (“COAs”) which are not mentioned in the statute.

According to §R110.10 of the Connecticut State Building Code, COAs are issued “for all completed work that requires a building permit but does not require a certificate of occupancy. Such work shall include, but not be limited to: fences greater than 7 feet (2134 mm) in height; retaining walls greater than 3 feet (914 mm) in height; decks; garages; swimming pools; basements and attics converted to habitable space; electrical, plumbing and mechanical repairs or alterations.”

The fact that §29-265(c) does not expressly include permits for which a COA has not been issued has led some municipalities to consider such permits excluded from the statute, and therefore not closed out after nine years. In response to this position, On May 27, 2026, the Connecticut State Building Inspector, Omarys C. Vasquez provided guidance to all Connecticut building officials. Below are the key points of her communication:
• While the statute explicitly names "Certificates of Occupancy," the Certificate of Approval is a Connecticut-specific amendment. Because COAs do not exist in the model codes, they were not explicitly spelled out in the broad statutory language.
• For all intents and purposes, a Certificate of Approval falls squarely under the Certificate of Occupancy master section (R110 in the IRC). In other words, a Certificate of Approval is a sub-type of a Certificate of Occupancy.
• The original intent of the statute at the time of enactment was to close out any and all outstanding permits for one- and two-family dwellings after nine years where a final certificate had not been issued—regardless of whether that final sign-off was a CO or a COA.
• Based on this historical intent and code structure, the 9-year statute does apply to Certificates of Approval.

Leticia Crespo

05/30/2026

Graduation Day for my niece Taylor Bianca🎓 Nursing is the Next Goal!!!!💙💚 Keep up the amazing work!!!

05/21/2026

Most real estate professionals celebrate when the contract is signed.

We celebrate when the deal is successfully CLOSED.

Because the last 5% of the transaction is where real problems may arise. Our proactive approach solves problems before they become disasters.

Crespo Closings
Driven by Purpose

05/20/2026

Rent pays for today.
Ownership helps build tomorrow.

Homeownership is one of the most powerful tools for generational wealth.

Crespo Closings
Driven by Purpose

05/15/2026

FOLLOW-UP LEAKS COST REALTORS MONEY.

Every time an agent stops to chase updates, they lose time they could spend finding new clients.

We heard the same problems again and again:
“No updates.”
“No answers.”
“I had to follow up three times.”

So we built our closing process to be different.

Clear communication.
Organized systems.
Updates before you even ask.

That way, you can focus on growing your business —
not chasing closing updates.

Crespo Closings
Driven by Purpose

04/23/2026

What does it take?

It takes discipline.
It takes focus.
It takes systems that don’t break under pressure.

And yes- it takes four monitors to keep every detail moving, every deadline met, and every closing on track.

Because behind every smooth closing isn’t luck…
it’s ex*****on.

04/23/2026

04/22/2026

Most people chase one good year—we built consistency, year after year, deal after deal, because ex*****on isn’t a moment, it’s a standard.

04/22/2026

This didn’t happen alone.
Strong relationships create strong closings.

Grateful for every partnership that made this possible.

04/17/2026

You worked hard to put your deal together. You deserve a closing team that moves just as fast.

Too often, deals slow down at the finish line…
waiting on title,
waiting on payoffs,
waiting on signatures.

That lost time?
It’s avoidable.

At Crespo Closings, we do things differently.

We start strong—with a fee agreement and intake up front, so we have everything we need from day one.

We prepare early—your title search is prepaid and ready to go the moment the appraisal comes in as-is.

We move fast—title work is reviewed the same day it arrives.

As seller’s attorney, we order payoffs right away and schedule client’s pre-signing within 1 day.

No delays. No guessing.

Behind the scenes, we use Clio case management software to manage every step, with systems and controls that keep your deal on track.

Because “clear to close” should mean ready to close—not excuses and waiting on paperwork or signatures.

We don’t let deals sit.
We move them forward.

Driven by Purpose.