[Stylo]

I have a partially finished basement. It has electrical boxes/lights/switches, framing, HVAC, insulation, doors, and a window. That was all done and permitted before I moved in. I just need to put in drywall and carpet.

Would I need to (or better yet should I) pull a permit for something like that?

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I have a partially finished basement. It has electrical boxes/lights/switches, framing, HVAC, insulation, doors, and a window. That was all done and permitted before I moved in. I just need to put in drywall and carpet.

Would I need to (or better yet should I) pull a permit for something like that?

Is Milford taxing you on a finished basement and is the square footage on your field card. I have part of my basement finished and soon I will put in a bathroom too. This is what my basement looks like on vision appraisal. They do Milford also so you can look it right up.
Connecticut Online Database - Vision Government Solutions (Vision Appraisal Link)

Part of my basement is being taxed. This is what it looks like on Vision Appraisal. I finished the basement (not the previous owners), the contractors pulled the permits and everything was signed off by the town.




If it is not on the field card and you officially finish it you will get taxed. I know a lot of people that finish the basement and don't let the town know. My town does a physical appraisal every ten years and than they will find out. I bet Milford is like that too.

[SteveM85]

It sounds like the prior owner pulled permits but never completed the project to drywall and sheetrock, so there wouldn't have been a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) issued and no field card update.
With any reno project, the city needs to come and do a pre-inspection (before drywall) to make sure electric, plumbing and whatnot is up to code. If that passes then you hang drywall, sheetrock, paint. Then the city comes back and does a final inspection and issues you a CO thereafter, then the field card is updated with new square footage, then they raise your property tax at their earliest convenience.
Make sure you notify the appropriate personnel at city hall for updating the field card. Sometimes the departments don't communicate well with each other. But don't worry the Tax Assessor will know.

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

It sounds like the prior owner pulled permits but never completed the project to drywall and sheetrock, so there wouldn't have been a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) issued and no field card update.
With any reno project, the city needs to come and do a pre-inspection (before drywall) to make sure electric, plumbing and whatnot is up to code. If that passes then you hang drywall, sheetrock, paint. Then the city comes back and does a final inspection and issues you a CO thereafter, then the field card is updated with new square footage, then they raise your property tax at their earliest convenience.
Make sure you notify the appropriate personnel at city hall for updating the field card. Sometimes the departments don't communicate well with each other. But don't worry the Tax Assessor will know.

"With any reno project, the city needs to come and do a pre-inspection (before drywall) to make sure electric, plumbing and whatnot is up to code. If that passes then you hang drywall, sheetrock, paint. Then the city comes back and does a final inspection and issues you a CO"

My neighbor finished her basement without permits and the town made her tear down all the sheetrock so they could inspect it. They found it in Trumbull's 10 year inspection when they come into the houses.

"...then the field card is updated with new square footage, then they raise your property tax at their earliest convenience."

Lol

I had my brother and cousins doing work on my basement so the work went slowly as they have full time jobs. The town kept calling me and asking me when the work would be done for me to get the CO. In Trumbull they can't raise your taxes fast enough.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

It sounds like the prior owner pulled permits but never completed the project to drywall and sheetrock, so there wouldn't have been a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) issued and no field card update.
With any reno project, the city needs to come and do a pre-inspection (before drywall) to make sure electric, plumbing and whatnot is up to code. If that passes then you hang drywall, sheetrock, paint. Then the city comes back and does a final inspection and issues you a CO thereafter, then the field card is updated with new square footage, then they raise your property tax at their earliest convenience.
Make sure you notify the appropriate personnel at city hall for updating the field card. Sometimes the departments don't communicate well with each other. But don't worry the Tax Assessor will know.

You are right. The OP should contact the town’s building department to find out how to proceed. If the work has been sitting for a while, they may need/want to come out again. They will walk you through the process. Jay