Short answer (overview):

• Are short-term rentals allowed in Naugatuck, Connecticut?
  • Bed & Breakfasts are explicitly recognized and allowed in the Zoning Regulations (owner-occupied; ≤ 4 lodging rooms or ≤ 8 adults; ≤ 20-day stay; includes morning meal; permitted in multiple districts with conditions).
  • “Tourist homes” are prohibited under the definition of “home occupation” and thus cannot be run as a home-based STR that rents rooms to transient guests (owner-occupancy + breakfast provision is essential for a Bed & Breakfast).
  • Whole-home STRs (non-owner-occupied rentals of an entire dwelling for transient stays) are not expressly permitted by right. Operating them in single-family homes would likely be an impermissible commercial use unless an applicable zoning pathway exists (e.g., special permit, planned development, or an alternative STR licensing regime adopted after June 8, 2020). Given the gap in the document, confirm with the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
• County/state overlay: Naugatuck is in New Haven County. There are no county-level STR rules in the provided document; any constraints will come from the Zoning Regulations, state health/fire codes, and state tax law.

Below is a practical, compliance-focused roadmap for investors.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental in Naugatuck

1. Confirm your business model against zoning

• Whole-home STR in a single-family home: Proceed with caution. The Zoning Regulations do not list whole-home STRs as a permitted use. If you intend to operate the property commercially as a rental “tourist home,” that is explicitly prohibited under “home occupation.” Confirm whether any special permit or new municipal STR permit/license pathway applies (post-2020).
• Bed & Breakfast (owner-occupied, ≤ 4 lodging rooms, ≤ 8 adults, ≤ 20 days, breakfast included): Recognized and permitted in multiple districts with conditions (see Table below).
• Rooming in a multi-family context (e.g., renting rooms in an apartment house or lodging house): Lodging houses are regulated at the state level; confirm zoning compatibility (see “Specific Regulations” and “State-level framework”).

2. Secure land-use approvals and zoning compliance

• Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC): Required before operation and/or occupancy changes. No land, building, or structure may be used or occupied until a CZC is issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
• Site Plan Review or Special Permit: If your use is listed as “S” (Site Plan Review) or “SP” (Special Permit) in Schedule A, submit the corresponding application to the Zoning Commission. For Bed & Breakfast, zoning permission is typically by-right or site-plan-based depending on the district.

3. Obtain required health/safety approvals

• If operating a Bed & Breakfast:
  • Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) approval is typically required. Bed & Breakfasts must provide “morning meal” and meet occupancy and safety standards.
• If operating a lodging house or boarding facility with transient occupancy:
  • State licensing/inspection may apply (CT DPH and Fire Marshal). Validate requirements based on room count, occupancy, and services offered.
  • Comply with Fire Safety Code requirements (e.g., posted egress information, occupancy limits, smoke/CO detection, fire extinguisher, and unit-level safety measures). Confirm exact requirements with the Naugatuck Building Official.

4. Set up state taxes

• Connecticut sales tax (6.35%) applies to the room rate. The sale of lodging is taxable under CT law.
• Connecticut occupancy tax: An additional 9.35% is due on the rent for lodging, payable by the operator to the state.
• Obtain any necessary state tax registrations (e.g., Sales and Use Tax Permit; DRS may issue a room tax account identifier).
• Collect and remit taxes on a monthly/quarterly schedule as prescribed by the Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Maintain guest logs to support audits.

5. Insurance and operations

• Maintain general liability coverage appropriate for transient lodging; list the property with your agent as a rental operation.
• Implement check-in/out procedures, occupancy tracking (≤ 8 adults for B&Bs), booking record retention (supporting tax filings), guest communication, and basic housekeeping/health protocols consistent with state regulations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Core municipal steps

• Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC): Application to the Zoning Enforcement Officer; typically includes plot plan, floor plans, and use description.
• Site Plan Review application (if “S”): If your use triggers Site Plan Review in the relevant district, submit to the Zoning Commission per Section 32 (Site Plan Review).
• Special Permit application (if “SP”): If your use requires a Special Permit (e.g., certain Bed & Breakfasts in certain districts), submit to the Zoning Commission per Section 33; must include a site plan.
• Plot/Site Plan: Required with submissions. Include parking and access information consistent with Section 26.
• Signage: Any exterior signage must meet Section 27 standards (e.g., Bed & Breakfast sign allowances in some districts).
• Certificate of Zoning Compliance prior to operation: No use/occupancy permitted until the ZEO issues the CZC.

State-level requirements (typical)

• Connecticut Sales Tax Permit (or equivalent registration): For collecting/remitting sales tax on lodging charges.
• Connecticut Occupancy Tax account: For collecting/remitting the 9.35% lodging occupancy tax.
• DPH approvals/licensure (as applicable):
  • Bed & Breakfast: DPH approvals for small lodging operations.
  • Lodging house/boarding: Licensing/inspection as required by DPH and Fire Marshal (room counts and occupancy determine scope).
• Fire Safety Code compliance: Post, maintain, and periodically inspect safety equipment; coordinate with the local Fire Marshal and Building Official.

Operational records

• Guest logs/registration: To substantiate tax filings and stay limits.
• Tax returns and remittances: Monthly/quarterly as assigned by DRS.
• Safety certificates, inspection records, and plan reviews.

Specific Regulations (Zoning and Safety)

Zoning allowances (Schedule A, condensed and simplified)

• Bed & Breakfast
  • Allowed (P or S) in multiple districts: R-65, R-45, R-30, R-15, R-8, RA-1, RA-2, RO-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, I-1, I-2, RSC, RADD, NHRDD, and SDD #1.
  • Conditions (from the Zoning Definitions and interpretation records):
    • Owner-occupied single- or two-family dwelling.
    • Four or fewer lodging rooms.
    • Accommodate no more than eight adults.
    • Provide a morning meal to transients.
    • Stay limited to not more than 20 days.
    • Must open to the traveling public.
• Customary home occupation
  • Allowed (P) in many residential districts, but explicitly excludes “tourist home” and “bed and breakfast” from being treated as a home occupation. This prohibits “rooming house” operations conducted under the home occupation banner.
• Lodging house/boarding (rooming) use
  • While the Regulations define “lodging house,” the document does not clearly identify where such use is permitted in Schedule A; treat as highly district-specific and subject to Special Permit where allowed. Confirm with Zoning Enforcement.
• Hotels/motels and certain restaurants
  • Hotels/motels with accessory restaurants and recreation are typically S, S/SP, or X by district; confirm exact allowances in Schedule A for your location.

Parking and access

• Off-street parking and loading per Section 26: Demonstrate sufficient on-site spaces consistent with your use; ensure safe access/egress.

Occupancy, meals, and owner-residency

• Bed & Breakfasts are bound by the “owner-occupied” condition and meal service; enforce the 8-adult, 4-room cap, and 20-day maximum stay.
• Tourist homes that merely rent rooms (without owner occupancy/meal service) are not recognized as permitted home occupations and are therefore prohibited.

Nonconformity and changes of use

• Certificate of Zoning Compliance is required before any change of use or occupancy; historic nonconforming status does not authorize an impermissible STR use without approvals.

Fire and life safety

• Comply with the CT Fire Safety Code for transient occupancies (smoke/CO detection, posted egress plans, extinguishers, inspection readiness). Confirm local applicability and inspection timing with the Building Department/Fire Marshal.

State-level framework (high-level)

• Sales and occupancy tax: Mandatory collection/remittance.
• DPH/Fire oversight: Bed & Breakfasts and lodging houses are regulated by state agencies for health and safety; approvals/inspections are typical before opening.

Contact Information (Local Authority)

• Borough of Naugatuck – Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO) / Planning & Zoning
  • Address: 229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770
  • Phone: (203) 720-7070
  • Email: Not provided in the source documents.
  • Notes: Confirm whether a Special Permit, Site Plan Review, or any local STR permit/license applies for your intended model.
• Borough of Naugatuck – Building Department / Building Official
  • Address: 229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770
  • Phone: (203) 720-7070
  • Email: Not provided in the source documents.
  • Notes: Coordinate Fire Safety Code compliance, building permits/inspections, and applicable occupancy limits.
• Borough of Naugatuck – Zoning Commission (applications, Special Permits)
  • Address: 229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770
  • Phone: (203) 720-7070
  • Email: Not provided in the source documents.
  • Notes: For uses listed as “SP” (Special Permit) or “S” (Site Plan Review) in Schedule A.

State of Connecticut (general, not specific to Naugatuck)

• Department of Revenue Services (DRS) – Room/Occupancy Tax and Sales Tax
  • Phone: Contact DRS at the numbers published on the DRS website for Sales and Room Tax accounts.
  • Notes: Register, collect 6.35% sales tax and 9.35% occupancy tax, and remit as required.
• Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) – Licensing and Health Standards
  • Phone: Use the contact numbers on the DPH website for lodging house and Bed & Breakfast approvals.
  • Notes: Confirm licensing/inspection requirements for your lodging category.

Links to Source Pages

• Zoning Regulations – Borough of Naugatuck (effective June 8, 2020)
  • nvcogct.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NAUG-Zoning-regulations-08JUN20.pdf

Investor takeaway

• A compliant Bed & Breakfast is the clearest STR pathway in Naugatuck today: owner-occupied, ≤ 4 rooms/≤ 8 adults, ≤ 20 days, and provide breakfast; ensure the use is permitted in your district, obtain CZC, and meet DPH/Fire requirements.
• Whole-home STRs are not clearly allowed by right; “tourist home” use is prohibited as a home occupation. Confirm any subsequent municipal STR permit/license program, special permits, or alternative zoning pathways before investing.
• Coordinate early with Zoning Enforcement and the Building Department to select the right district and approval track, and set up state tax accounts with DRS.