[Amended eff. 6-26-1997; eff. 3-1-2004]
For accessory buildings other than those associated with a farm (for farm accessory buildings, see § 315-7.08):
A. 
An accessory building attached or connected to the main building by walls or roofs shall be considered a part of the main building, and limited by minimum yard requirements of the principal building.
B. 
Detached accessory buildings.
(1) 
Detached accessory buildings which are not more than 10 feet in height may be located:
(a) 
In the rear half of any lot, but not nearer than 75 feet to any street.
(b) 
Within 10 feet of the side or rear lines of said lot.
(2) 
No accessory building used to house domestic animals shall be nearer than 25 feet to any sideline.
(3) 
See § 315-7.08 for farming accessory buildings and § 315-7.03C for gazebos.
C. 
Size.
(1) 
Accessory buildings shall not occupy more than 20% of the gross floor area of the principal building to which they are accessory.
(2) 
Residential accessory buildings and residential automobile garages (see § 315-7.03A) on individual single-family lots shall not occupy more than the percentages of gross floor area of the principal building to which they are accessory as shown in Table 7.1.
D. 
Accessory buildings more than 10 feet in height shall conform to the side, front and rear yard requirements of Article 8.
E. 
All accessory buildings shall be built on the same lot as the principal building or use to which they are accessory.
Table 7.1
Allowable Accessory Building Size
315 Table 7-1, Allowable Accessory Building Size.tiff
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
A. 
Accessory buildings shall be used only for uses accessory to a principal use permitted in the subject zone, except for legal nonconforming uses as described in Article 9, Nonconforming Lots, Uses, Buildings and Structures, of these regulations. Such accessory uses may include, for example, the storage of the resident's noncommercial motor vehicles or goods and permitted home businesses.
B. 
No accessory building shall be used for residence purposes except by persons employed on the premises or nonpaying guests of the occupant of the premises.
[Amended eff. 3-1-2004]
A. 
Private garages in residential zones. Accessory buildings in Residential Zones may include private garages, whether or not attached to the main building. Not more than two such spaces may be used by commercial motor vehicles as defined by C.G.S. § 14-1. Space for not more than 1/3 of the permitted number of vehicles may be let to persons other than residents of the premises for the storage of noncommercial motor vehicles only. The Board of Appeals, as a special exception, may permit, for a period not to exceed two years, the parking of more than two commercial vehicles where such use will not create a public hazard or be detrimental to the neighborhood.
B. 
Roadside shelters for schoolchildren. In all zones, roadside shelters for the use of schoolchildren may be permitted. Said shelter shall not exceed 50 square feet in area nor eight feet in height. Its location shall be no closer than one foot to the applicant's front or side property line. Shelters may be located within the road right-of-way with written approval of the Board of Selectmen and/or State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, as applicable. In no case shall the shelter be located closer than 10 feet to the traveled portion of the road. Said shelter shall be removed by the applicant if not used for its intended purpose for one year, or upon order of the Department of Transportation or the Board of Selectmen if the building interferes with road right-of-way.
C. 
Gazebo. Gazebos up to 315 square feet of gross floor area must conform to the front, side and rear yard requirements of Article 8. Gazebos with greater than 315 square feet of gross floor area shall not be located between the principal dwelling and the lot frontage unless approved as a special exception by the Zoning Board of Appeals and must conform to the side and rear yard requirements of Article 8.
Accessory structures shall be used only for uses accessory to a principal use permitted in the subject zone, except for legal nonconforming uses as described in Article 9, Nonconforming Lots, Uses, Buildings and Structures, of these regulations.
A. 
Swimming pools. A swimming pool shall be considered an accessory use or accessory structure to a principal dwelling and must be located on the lot so as to comply with the side, rear, and front yard requirements of Article 8 of these regulations for principal buildings. Swimming pool yards (setbacks) shall be measured from the water-retaining wall in the case of an in-ground pool. In the case of an aboveground pool, setbacks shall be measured from the outer edge and any aboveground deck. Light sources or glare shall not be visible beyond any lot line. All pools shall be safeguarded by means of a suitable fence or other device. Pools shall be screened and buffered by suitable planting or other means to conceal the pool and reduce noise between the pool and any adjoining lot.
B. 
Dog kennels accessory to principal dwelling. For the purposes of this section, a "dog" shall be defined as any canine of the age of six months or more. The keeping of no more than four dogs in any outdoor enclosure, principal or accessory building, or other structure shall be permitted as an accessory use to a dwelling. The keeping of more than four dogs shall require the issuance of a special exception by the Zoning Board of Appeals, pursuant to Article 13, Special Permit/Special Exception, of these regulations. In addition to the requirements of Article 13, any such special exception shall require compliance with the following:
(1) 
No special exception for the accessory keeping of dogs shall be issued for a lot having an area of less than five acres.
(2) 
Such keeping of dogs shall be exclusively for the personal enjoyment of the occupant of the principal dwelling and shall exclude any boarding, breeding, or training of any dogs not owned by the occupants of said dwelling, whether or not for compensation.
(3) 
Accessory keeping of dogs shall be limited to no more than six adult dogs (six months or more in age) and no more than 12 puppies (less than six months of age).
(4) 
Any such accessory building, structure, or enclosure of any kind for the keeping of dogs shall be located no less than 100 feet from any lot line, shall be located to the rear of the principal dwelling on the lot, and shall be screened by landscaping or other suitable measures. Depending on the number of dogs to be kept, the character of the neighborhood, and the topography of the area, the Board may require berms or other sound barriers.
(5) 
Any special exception issued by the Board shall be temporary and shall expire no more than two years following its issuance, although the Board may issue any such special exception for a lesser period of time. Any renewal of such special exception, and such reapproval following expiration, shall be treated as a new application and shall require a public hearing in accordance with Article 13 of these regulations. In acting on such renewal or reapproval, the Board may consider, in addition to the criteria set forth in Article 13, the impact of the use during preceding special exception periods, changes in the neighborhood since original approval, and the applicant's history of compliance with applicable provisions of these regulations or any conditions attached to any prior special exception. For commercial dog kennels, see § 315-11.16 of these regulations.
C. 
Decks. Decks, as defined in these regulations (see Article 3, Definitions), are permitted accessory structures, provided that such decks shall not extend into or be otherwise located within the required yards of the subject zone. In the R-80 Zone only, the Zoning Board of Appeals may approve a special exception to allow the extension or location of a deck within a required yard, provided:
(1) 
The deck shall be accessory to a dwelling.
(2) 
The dimensions, location, height, method of construction, and materials, and the lighting and landscaping (if any) shall be depicted on the plan submitted in accordance with Article 13 of these regulations.
(3) 
The construction and maintenance of the deck shall at all times conform in all respects to the plan submitted and approved, or modified and approved by the Board, pursuant to Article 13 of these regulations. The approval of a deck by the Board shall not be construed to permit any other building or structure, nor any expansion or extension of the deck, within any required yard for the R-80 Zone.
D. 
Accessory radio towers. Commercial radio and television towers (hereafter referred to simply as "tower" or "towers"), for the exclusive use of the occupant of the principal building on the lot [except as provided in § 315-7.06D(6) for governmental and quasi-governmental agencies], may be permitted as an accessory use to a principal industrial or commercial use in a Design Commercial or Designed Industrial Zone, and wireless telecommunications facilities may be permitted as an accessory use to a principal governmental use or by a duly incorporated nonprofit entity or governmental unit performing public safety functions of a kind customarily performed by governmental units and requiring the use of telecommunications facilities, such as a fire department, police department or emergency medical service provider, in an R-80 Zone as provided by § 315-7.06D(6) of these regulations, whereby such accessory use shall be located on the same lot or parcel upon which the principal governmental use is located, upon the issuance of a special permit in accordance with Article 13, Special Permit/Exception, of these regulations, provided that the following additional standards and conditions are met:
(1) 
Minimum parcel size. No towers shall be established on any lot of land containing less than four acres. In addition, any such lot shall be of such size and dimension that the distance between the tower base and any property line shall be no less than 1 1/2 times the tower height, such height measurement to include any antennas mounted upon the tower.
(2) 
Other permits. No application for a tower shall be complete without evidence that all necessary permits and approvals have been submitted to the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Aviation Administration, and such other state or federal agencies as may have jurisdiction. Such evidence shall include any proposed lighting, color selection, method of tower construction, and the like.
(3) 
Residential zone prohibition. Towers shall be prohibited as a principal use in residential zones (for towers accessory to a dwelling, see § 315-4.02D of these regulations), except that a wireless telecommunications facility may be permitted as an accessory use to a principal governmental use or by a duly incorporated nonprofit entity or governmental unit performing public safety functions of a kind customarily performed by governmental units and requiring the use of telecommunications facilities, such as a fire department, police department or emergency medical service provider, in an R-80 Zone as provided by § 315-7.06D(6) of these regulations, whereby such accessory use shall be located on the same lot or parcel upon which the principal governmental use is located.
(4) 
Standards. In addition to the standards and criteria of Article 13, Special Permit/Exception, the Commission shall evaluate the visual impact of the tower on historic or scenic vistas and natural features; the impact on property values on residential areas in the vicinity of the tower; the impact of the tower on migratory waterfowl flight patterns, and other wildlife impacts; and the impact of tower lighting, with special attention to strobe lighting.
(5) 
Maximum height. In no event shall any tower be greater than 199 feet in height, including the height of any antenna mounted thereon.
(6) 
Wireless telecommunications facility use. A wireless telecommunications facility use may be permitted in an R-80 Residence District as an accessory use to a principal governmental use or by a duly incorporated nonprofit entity or governmental unit performing public safety functions of a kind customarily performed by governmental units and requiring the use of telecommunications facilities, such as a fire department, police department or emergency medical service provider, as a special permit in accordance with Article 13, Special Permit/Exception, of these regulations, provided that the additional standards and conditions of § 315-7.06D(1), (2), (4) and (5) of these regulations are met. Such accessory use may include a co-located wireless telecommunications facility as provided by § 315-5.02A(2)(q) of these regulations.
E. 
Vending machines. See § 315-11.05, Vending machines.
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
A. 
General. Accessory uses of buildings, structures, or land shall be permitted in all zones where such accessory use is customarily incidental to, and is subordinate and secondary to, the principal use of the lot, or the principal building or structure on the same lot, or adjacent lots under the same ownership.
B. 
Livestock and poultry.
(1) 
Parcels of five acres or more. Nothing in these regulations shall prevent the keeping and raising of livestock (other than horses; see § 315-7.07C) and poultry for the owner's personal use on any lot containing five acres or more of land; provided, however, that any outdoor fenced or enclosed area for such use shall be no less than five feet from the property line.
(2) 
Parcels less than five acres. Nothing in these regulations shall prevent the keeping and raising of an animal unit for avocational, personal use or for youth projects as outlined below:
Animal
Animal Unit Defined As
Minimum Lot Size
(square feet)
Cows, steers, calves, bovines
1 head per unit
80,000
Horses, burros, donkeys, ponies
1 head per unit
80,000
Sheep, goats
2 heads per unit
80,000
Rabbits
5 heads per unit
40,000
Backyard poultry
See below
See below
(a) 
Criteria: Backyard poultry shall include chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other birds of similar mature sizes, but not guinea hens, peacocks, emus or ostriches. Farms as defined herein shall have no limit on the number of poultry that may be kept.
[1] 
Minimum lot size. A property must be greater than or equal to 40,000 square feet in order to keep backyard poultry.
[2] 
Number of poultry. A property which meets the minimum lot size may keep up to a maximum of eight backyard poultry.
[3] 
Roosters. Roosters are not permitted on property which has less than five acres.
[4] 
Management: backyard poultry shall be suitably contained on the premises at all times. Free-range or uncontained backyard poultry are prohibited.
[5] 
Setbacks and permitting requirements:
[a] 
Structures less than 200 square feet and enclosures (such as fenced areas) for the keeping of backyard poultry shall be a minimum of 20 feet from the side and rear property lines and 50 feet from the front property line, or meet the setbacks of the underlying zone (whichever is greater). These structures and enclosures shall not require a certificate of zoning compliance, but all owners of backyard poultry shall submit a written statement to the Zoning Agent, certifying compliance with these regulations.
[b] 
Any structure for the keeping of backyard poultry that is greater than or equal to 200 square feet shall require review in accordance with Article 7, Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures, as applicable.
[c] 
Any structure for the keeping of backyard poultry shall not be less than 50 feet from an adjacent dwelling.
[6] 
Waste management. The storage and management of waste (e.g., a combination of manure and bedding) for backyard poultry shall be in accordance with the Public Health Code, as amended. In no case shall waste be located closer to property lines than the minimum setback requirements for structures and enclosures for the keeping of backyard poultry and shall not exceed two cubic yards at any given time.
[7] 
Site suitability and impact. In order to minimize potential adverse impacts, the following shall apply:
[a] 
Sites with slopes greater than 15% shall be avoided or improved to avoid heavy surface water runoff, soil erosion, sedimentation or hazardous conditions for keeping backyard poultry.
[b] 
Proper drainage shall be provided to avoid collection of water. Water shall be diverted from poultry-keeping areas; however, such water shall not pollute surface or subsurface water supplies, nor shall runoff be directed to neighboring properties.
C. 
Equestrian, noncommercial; noncommercial keeping of horses, ponies, burros, donkeys and bovines. The noncommercial keeping of equines and bovines, as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling, shall be permitted in the R-80 Zone, subject to the following conditions and standards:
(1) 
Enclosures. All outdoor areas for pasturing of livestock shall be enclosed with a fence capable of confining the livestock to the property; such fence shall be not less than five feet from the property line.
(2) 
Pits and housing. All manure pits and buildings or structures housing livestock shall be no less than 50 feet from any property line.
D. 
More than three equines. When more than three equines or bovines are kept on a property, the following standards shall apply in addition to the requirements of § 315-7.07C:
(1) 
Location on property. The keeping of equines or bovines and any structures accessory thereto shall be restricted to that area to the rear of the principal residence, meaning that side of the residence which is the greatest distance from the street providing frontage or access to the lot.
(2) 
Stalls. A stall or other space in a suitable, dry, weathertight shelter, by a barn, stable, or other permanent structure, shall be provided for each and every horse to be maintained on the property. Equines or bovines shall not be housed in trailers, tents or other mobile or temporary shelters.
(3) 
Wetlands. No stable, barn or other structure housing equines or bovines, nor any feed or watering trough, shall be established or maintained within 75 feet of any wetland or watercourse, as defined in Chapter 304, Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations, nor within 100 feet of any dwelling or domestic water supply on an adjacent property. Any outdoor fenced or enclosed area for the pasturing of equine or bovine shall be no less than five feet from the property line.
(4) 
Disposition of manure. The disposition of all manure and stable sweepings from equines or bovines in buildings shall be by practices as recommended by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and/or Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. The location of any manure management system shall not be located closer than 100 feet to any wetland or watercourse, as defined in Chapter 304, Willington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations.
(5) 
Equestrian, commercial. See § 315-11.17.
E. 
Accessory dwelling unit. An accessory dwelling unit (separate family quarters/in-law apartment) is allowed in any single-family dwelling unit or on a single-family residential lot in any residential zone pursuant to these regulations. Unless specified otherwise, an accessory dwelling unit is allowed with a certificate of zoning compliance.
(1) 
General requirements. The following requirements apply to all accessory dwelling units:
(a) 
At least one of the occupants of either dwelling unit shall be the owner of record of said dwellings or heir.
(b) 
Accessory dwelling units shall include a distinct kitchen or kitchen area containing a sink, refrigerator, stove or stovetop, oven, cabinets, and adequate counter space for food preparation and serving; and a bathroom containing toilet, sink and shower or bathtub.
(c) 
The accessory dwelling unit shall include one bedroom. "Bedroom" shall be defined by the building or health code, whichever definition is more restrictive.
(d) 
Accessory dwelling units shall include a separate outside entrance not located on the front facade of the principal building.
(e) 
Adequate off-street parking shall be provided.
(f) 
A new driveway curb cut to serve the principal unit or an accessory dwelling unit shall not be permitted.
(g) 
No more than one accessory dwelling unit is allowed per parcel.
(h) 
An accessory dwelling unit shall not be located in a mobile home, recreational vehicle, travel trailer, structure that previously operated as or was intended to be a motor vehicle, or structure on wheels, or intermodal freight container.
(i) 
Accessory dwelling units shall not be rented for durations of less than 90 days.
(j) 
For an accessory apartment located entirely in a basement, there shall be no maximum size limit.
(k) 
The gross floor area of an accessory dwelling unit not located in a basement shall not exceed whichever is lesser:
[1] 
One thousand square feet; or
[2] 
Forty percent of the gross floor area of the principal structure.
(l) 
When located in a detached structure, the structure shall comply with all applicable setback requirements for accessory structures.
(2) 
Owner occupancy required.
(a) 
Declaration of restrictions. The property owner shall file a declaration of restrictions on the Land Records, stating:
[1] 
Either the principal dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit shall be occupied as a primary residence by a record owner of the property at least six months per calendar year. "Owner" is defined as that individual owning at least a 50% fee-simple interest in said property in his or her personal individual capacity only.
[2] 
Occupancy of the accessory dwelling unit is limited to two adult persons. Children under the age of 18 that are the legal responsibility of an adult occupant may also reside in the accessory dwelling unit, provided that total maximum occupancy of the unit shall not exceed one occupant per 100 square feet of combined living room and dining room space.
[3] 
The accessory dwelling unit shall not be sold separately from the principal dwelling unit, nor shall the lot be subdivided to provide a separate lot for the accessory dwelling unit.
[4] 
These restrictions shall run with the land and are binding upon any successor owner of the property.
[5] 
These restrictions shall not be modified or removed without the consent of the Town of Willington.
(b) 
Release of restrictions. Upon verification that an accessory dwelling unit established pursuant to this subsection has been removed, the Town of Willington shall record appropriate documentation to release the encumbrance. Any fees associated with such release shall be borne by the property owner.
[Amended eff. 8-7-2019]
A. 
Except as provided in Article 6, Prohibited Uses, buildings used for the storage, processing and manufacture of agricultural products are permitted as an accessory use on a farm.
B. 
Temporary roadside stands for the seasonal sale of farm products and homemade articles are permitted when accessory to the premises on which they stand, of not more than 200 square foot area, with not more than two signs aggregating 12 square feet in area advertising such produce. Such stand and signs shall be not less than 10 feet from any street line and not less than 50 feet from any street intersection. Their temporary permitted use shall not constitute the establishment of a legal nonconforming use.
C. 
The slaughtering of livestock and poultry, as an accessory use to a commercial farming operation, is permitted on a farm, provided that in normal operation all stock slaughtered is raised on the farm.
D. 
Buildings used for the storage on a farm of any number of motor vehicles and equipment, when accessory to such farm use, are permitted. Also permitted is the repair of such vehicles on a farm, but this shall not permit operation of a repair garage for the general public.
E. 
Accessory buildings to a farming use, described in Subsection C (buildings for slaughtering of animals) and Subsection D (buildings for storage and/or repair of motor vehicles and equipment) above, and accessory buildings housing farm animals and poultry shall be not less than 100 feet from any street or lot line and not less than 150 feet from the nearest existing residential building on land in separate ownership.
F. 
Permanent farm stands. Permanent farm stands may be permitted as an accessory use in the R-80 Zone by special permit, subject to the following:
(1) 
Building. A permanent structure for the year-round sales of agricultural and/or horticultural products on a property defined as a farm by § 315-3.01 may be allowed.
(2) 
Area of structure. No farm stand shall exceed a total of 600 square feet in size.
(3) 
Product origin. At least 2/3 of the products available for sale shall be grown or raised on the farm. Up to 1/3 of the products available for sale may be handmade or produced by another Willington farm.
(4) 
Parking. No parking shall be permitted within 100 feet of a property line. Off street parking areas shall be pervious to the maximum extent feasible.
(5) 
Buffer. No farm stand or parking shall be located within 100 feet of any side or rear property line. The Commission may require a landscape buffer for any farm stand within 200 feet of a property line to minimize impacts to adjacent properties.
Temporary or seasonal outdoor dining shall be allowed as an accessory use to any lawfully existing restaurant or food service establishment, subject to the issuance of an administrative certificate of zoning compliance and upon demonstration of compliance with the following criteria:
A. 
A site plan has been provided which includes:
(1) 
Floor plan/layout of outdoor area to confirm no outdoor seating area is within a side or rear yard setback.
(2) 
Number of tables and/or seats not to exceed 50% of the interior seating capacity.
(3) 
A parking lot layout which demonstrates that the capacity of the outdoor dining area does not account for more than 50% of the parking spaces provided.
(4) 
Location(s) of ingress and egress for pedestrians and vehicles.
(5) 
When an outdoor dining area is proposed adjacent to a parking lot or driveway, the location of an appropriate barrier(s) to ensure separation between vehicles and patrons.
B. 
A narrative has been provided which included the following information:
(1) 
Planned use of the outdoor area.
(2) 
Proposed litter control.
(3) 
Hours of operation, not later than 11:00 p.m.
C. 
Proof that the following departments have been made aware of the intent to provide temporary or seasonal outdoor dining (when applicable):
(1) 
Eastern Highlands Health District.
(2) 
Willington Fire Marshal.
(3) 
Willington Building Official.
(4) 
Connecticut Department of Transportation (if necessary).
D. 
Live entertainment, amplified or nonamplified music or the consumption of alcohol only shall not be considered an allowable accessory use and shall require the issuance of a separate approval as required by these regulations.