Groton Zoning Overview

Groton is a town in New London County, Connecticut with a population of approximately 38,411 (2020 Census). The town manages land use through its zoning regulations, administered by the Office of Planning & Development and the Planning, Zoning, and Wetlands commissions.

Note: The City of Groton is a separate borough within the Town of Groton and has its own zoning regulations. This page covers the Town of Groton zoning.

Groton uses lot-size-based residential zones that distinguish between sewered and unsewered areas, along with commercial, mixed-use, and special design districts.

Key Zoning Districts

Residential Districts

• R-7 — Highest-density residential (7,000 sq ft min lot, near Mystic Village)
• R-12 — Residential (12,000 sq ft minimum lot)
• RS-12 — Residential Single-family (12,000 sq ft)
• RS-20 — Residential Single-family (20,000 sq ft)
• RU-20 — Residential Unsewered (20,000 sq ft)
• RU-40 — Residential Unsewered (40,000 sq ft, north of I-95)
• RU-80 — Residential Unsewered (80,000 sq ft, north of I-95)

Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts

• CN — Commercial Neighborhood
• CR — Commercial Regional (auto-oriented, Route 184 corridor)
• MTC — Mixed-Use Town Center
• MVC — Mixed-Use Village Center
• MDD — Mystic Design District
• NMDD — Naval Museum Design District
• WW — Working Waterfront

Industrial Districts

• IA / IB / IC — Industrial districts (legacy designations)

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Under Connecticut PA 21-29, Groton is required to allow accessory dwelling units. Contact the Office of Planning & Development at (860) 446-5970 for specific local ADU regulations.

Development Process

1. Zoning Verification — Check your property's zoning using the GIS interactive map or contact Planning & Development at (860) 446-5970
2. Application Submission — Submit required applications to the appropriate commission
3. Public Hearing — Required for special permits, variances, and zone changes
4. Building Permit — Obtain from the Building Department
5. Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction

Key Considerations

• Town vs. City of Groton — Verify which jurisdiction applies to your property; they have different zoning codes
• Groton has unsewered (RU) zones with larger lot requirements in areas north of I-95
• The Mystic Design District (MDD) has special design standards for the historic Mystic area
• The Working Waterfront (WW) zone protects maritime uses along the coast
• Groton is undertaking a comprehensive zoning update
• Verify flood zone status using FEMA's Flood Map Service

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Groton and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the Groton Office of Planning & Development at (860) 446-5970 before making development decisions.