Frequently Asked Questions

When payments are made online through the City of Norwich website, payments are not immediately reflected.  Our offices will post the transaction the next business day and proof of payment will be able to be viewed after midnight the day of posting.

If you paid in full using the Electronic Check option, clearance with the DMV will happen automatically in 10 business days.  You can request clearance be done manually after five full business days with a call to our office.  If you require clearance with the DMV faster than five business days, our office will require printed proof that the funds have successfully cleared your account. 

If you paid in full using a Credit or Debit Card, clearance with the DMV will also happen automatically in 10 business days.  You may request clearance be done as soon as the next business day, but only with a call to our office.  Please call (860) 823-3760 if you have further questions or would like to pay by phone.  (See Fee Schedule)

Online - you can pay your taxes online by ACH/Electronic Check through your checking or savings account or from a Credit Card or a Debit Card. The following convenience fees apply: Electronic Check - $1.50 per transaction; Credit Cards and Debit Cards - 2.9% per transaction - minimum of $1.50.

By Mail - A return envelope is included with your tax bill. Write the list numbers on your check. Your list numbers are shown on your bill. You may add together all of your bills and write one check including real estate and motor vehicles. If you wish to have a receipt returned to you, please send the entire tax bill and a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment. We will not mail your receipt if you fail to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail payments to: Norwich Tax Collector, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360. Do not mail cash.

In Person - You may pay by cash, check or credit card at the Tax Collector window on the first floor of City Hall. Also, during the peak collection times in July and January, you may pay your current levy tax bills at branches of M&T Bank.

If you have outstanding taxes and need to register or renew registration on an existing car, EVERY outstanding tax bill in the relevant name and all co-registrants' names must be paid in full.  Paying off just one registrant's name or trying to pay off one vehicle out of several is not sufficient for clearance with DMV.

Yes-during the months of July and January. You should expect to wait in line if you plan to pay in person during this period. Lines are longest at lunchtime, and especially as the last day to pay approaches. If you want to avoid waiting in line, consider paying your bill online, by mail, or by paying at a M&T Bank branch (if paying current taxes during January and July). When paying in person, bring your entire tax bill with you, and write your list numbers on your check for faster service.

In July 2018, we switched Collection Agencies.  Our accounts are no longer with Rossi Law Offices and any future communications will come from TaxServ Capital Services LLC.  We can accept payment in our offices (including the applicable fees) for FULL bills in collection only.  If you need to make arrangements for partial payments on bills in collection, please contact TaxServ Capital Services .  The funds will be forwarded to the Norwich Tax Collector approximately a week after payment is made to the collection agency.  After we are able to verify payment, we can accept payment on any later tax bills that are with us.  TaxServ's phone number is 1-866-497-2427.

If you believe you are being taxed in error for the time period and have proof of such, contact the City of Norwich Assessor's Office at 860-823-3723, to see if the bill can be adjusted.

Yes. Save your receipts for 15 years, which is the length of time during which municipal taxes are collectible. Receipts will be issued for payments made in person at the Tax Office window. If you pay by mail and would like a receipt, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment. The Tax Office does not give out tax payment information over the phone for income tax purposes. If you would like copies of your receipts after taxes have been paid, they are available for $0.50 per copy or you can

The City is required, by law, to lien any property with unpaid taxes before the new bills can be released.  The lien is recorded at the City Clerks office on the public land records and it means that the property cannot be sold or transferred until the city's interest in the property is satisfied.  Every year of unpaid taxes gets one lien.  The fee is an additional $24.00 on top of the tax principal and interest.  Once all the taxes and fees are paid in full, the lien can be released.  You will receive the Notice of Lien and the lien itself even if you are on a payment plan.  There is no way to avoid the lien being placed other than paying the entire outstanding balance on the property before the date listed on the letter.

Yes, however we DO NOT recommend paying your taxes this way, especially towards the end of any month, as the envelope that the checks are mailed in DO NOT have a USPS postmark. Since CT General State Statute states "No tax or installment thereof shall be construed to be delinquent...if the envelope containing the amount due..., bears a postmark showing a date within the time allowed by statute for the payment of such tax or installment.", we will process the checks using the interest date of the day that the payment was received. Any other payments made by mail that are received with envelopes that do not have a USPS postmark will be processed in the same manner. Exception: Envelopes that are postmarked on time, but include payments that are postdated past the last day to pay will be processed with applicable interest.

Yes.  The City of Norwich has obtained some properties due to foreclosure.  They have been placed with a local Realtor to facilitate sales.  Contact Signature Properties of New England at (860) 447-8839 for more information.

Every so often, the city will have a Tax Sale on properties that are severely delinquent.  To be notified when the next sale is scheduled, visit our subscription service "Notify Me" and sign-up to receive an email notification the next time a Tax Sale is announced.

1)  We cannot accept the liability of improperly imparted or interpreted information, so therefore we cannot give out past payment amounts verbally or over the phone.

2)  In Person or By Mail:  Printed payment history reports are available in our offices for $0.50 per page.  Most accounts can be fit on 1-2 pages.  If you are unable to visit us at 100 Broadway, Norwich, you may mail us a detailed request with a check or money order for $0.50 per name requested and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the returned report.

3)  Online:  Past payment information can be found online in much the same manner as you would search for bills to pay.  Find and follow detailed instructions here at IRS Payment Report.

Yes.  Effective December 24, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) changed how mail is postmarked. Mail placed in USPS blue collection boxes is now postmarked when it reaches a regional processing facility, not when it is received.

Under Connecticut General Statutes § 12-146, tax payments are considered timely only if the envelope bears a USPS postmark dated on or before the due date. Due to this USPS change, payments mailed close to the due date may receive a later postmark and be considered late, resulting in statutory interest.

To ensure a valid mailing date, USPS recommends mailing your payment inside a Post Office and requesting a hand-stamped postmark or using Certified Mail or Registered Mail.

Taxpayers are encouraged to mail payments early or use one of the options above to avoid late postmarks.

There is no simple answer to this question. A comparison of spending without considering all of the underlying factors would not be meaningful. You would need to know the community’s population; school enrollment; square mileage; miles of local roads; whether they have a paid police department; whether they have paid, volunteer or blended fire departments; how many services and programs, if any, are offered by their Recreation, Senior Center and Human Services departments; what are they investing in capital improvements vs. what should they be investing in capital improvements; what is their debt load; how is refuse pickup paid for; etc. One benchmark you can use is the property tax burden. Norwich has one of the lowest per capita property tax burdens in Connecticut. The Connecticut Office of Policy & Management issues a report called the Municipal Fiscal Indicators each year which compares several different aspects of municipal finances across the 169 Connecticut towns and cities.

Maintaining an adequate fund balance and funding long-term obligations bring more predictability and stability to the budget process and, over the long-term, improve the City’s chances for future bond ratings upgrades; which, in turn, will lower our borrowing costs. The City adopted policies for maintaining the fund balance of the General Fund and funding its pension and OPEB obligations in December 2014. You can read more about the rationale behind these policies in the

You can obtain a copy of a police report in person, by fax, or via email. If requesting a copy in person, please call ahead to ensure the report you are seeking is ready and available. We will need the case report number or the date and location of the incident, and the names of the parties involved in order to process your request. If your request is vague or in too broad of terms, a representative of the Norwich Police Department may call or write to you in an effort to acquire information or clarification for the purpose of assisting us in our search for records and expediting a response to your request.

Fingerprinting service is provided by: Biometric Identification Services

Please see their website for appointment times, fees and locations.

Please print and complete the following:

1. Review the instructions and requirements for pistol permit applicants
2. Print and complete the Connecticut Pistol Permit Application
3. Review the CCHRS Applicant Web Portal User Manual

Required documents and applications can be submitted in person to: 

Norwich Police Department Records Division

860-886-5177

Police reports, calls for service, and arrest information are, for the most part, public information, with specific exceptions as outlined in the Freedom of Information Act, C.G.S. section 1-210. All reports and computer-documented incidents are screened and redacted for any information that is not available to the public before release.

The fees are as follows:

*If a police report was not taken

Accident reports may also be purchased online. You will need to know the date of the accident as well as the correct spelling of one of the drivers involved.

Fees for requests for Faxed replies:

Payments are requested in either cash, certified bank check, business check or money order made payable to the City of Norwich. No personal checks are accepted. Reports must be paid for at the time of pick-up.

Some examples of records not otherwise available to the public for which records were compiled are if the disclosure of the records would result in disclosing (A) the identity of informants not otherwise known or the identity of witnesses not otherwise known whose safety would be endangered or who would be subject to threat or intimidation if their identity was made known, (B) signed statements of witnesses, (C) information to be used in a prospective law enforcement action if prejudicial to such action, (D) investigatory techniques not otherwise known to the general public, (E) arrest records of a juvenile, which shall also include any investigatory files, concerning the arrest of such juvenile, compiled for law enforcement purposes, (F) the name and address of the victim of a sexual assault or injury or risk of injury, or impairing of morals under CGS section 53-21, or of an attempt thereof or (G) uncorroborated allegations. For further information please consult the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act.

As all arrests are public information you can obtain a local (Norwich only) background check for a $15.00 fee. No personal checks are accepted. For Statewide criminal background checks please contact the Connecticut State Police.

Property booked in as evidence of a crime is held until sentencing or dismissal. If no charges are filed, property is held until the statute of limitations has expired (five years for most felony cases, one year for misdemeanor cases) or the court authorizes the release of the property, whichever is sooner.

If a firearm is among the items requested, a background investigation must be conducted in order to verify the legal owner is eligible to possess the weapon.

Appointments are scheduled via email at npdevidence@cityofnorwich.org so an Evidence Custodian can be made available to handle your case.

Yes. Except for firearms, other weapons, and contraband items any other property turned in as found property may be returned to the finder. There is a six month waiting period during which the owner may claim lost property. After six months has passed the finder may claim the property.

Persons wishing to know if an arrest warrant exists may not get this information over the phone. Anyone wishing to know if they have an active arrest warrant must inquire in person at the police department operations window and bring a valid form of identification.

The Connecticut Pardon Team may be able to assist you in getting a pardon for your Connecticut offenses.

Please note no permit applications will be processed after 4:00 p.m.

Amusement Machine Arcade License:
Six or more machines
Source – City Ord. Sec. 5-14

Junk/Second Hand Articles Dealers Permit –
Source – City Ord. Sec. 21-11

Vendor License (Peddlers/Hawkers) –
Source – City Ord. Sec. 15-1

Auctioneer License –
Source – City Ord. Sec. 15-1

Solicitor Permit –
Source – City Ord. Sec. 15-14

Lodging House License –
Source – CGS 21-48

Pistol & Revolver Permit –
Source – CGS Sec. 29-30

Payments are requested in either cash, certified bank check, business check or money order made payable to the City of Norwich. No personal checks are accepted. Permits must be paid for at the time of pick-up.

It is the policy of the Norwich Police Records Division to provide copies of records in lieu of original documents. This policy is established to provide for the protection of records and to prevent interference with the regular discharge of Norwich Police Records Division duties. The right to examine original records does not require inspection of original documents that contain information that is exempt from disclosure. The Norwich Police Records Division acts reasonably if it furnishes a copy of the original document, with the exempt material redacted (blanked out).

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS FOR PAWNBROKER, PRECIOUS METALS, GEMSTONES AND COINS DEALER AND/OR SECONDHAND DEALER LICENSES

Application Fees

Pawnbroker (C.G.S Chapters 409/414) - Initial application $50.00 / annual renewal $25.00
 (Shall also file at the Police Department, a bond with competent surety, in the penal sum of $2,000)
 
 The payment of renewal fee and surety bond will be waived if person holds a license as a Secondhand Dealer

Precious Metals, Gemstones and Coins Dealer (C.G.S Chapters 405) - $10.00 annually

Secondhand Dealer (C.G.S Chapters 409) – Initial application $250.00 / annual renewal $100.00
 (Shall also file at the police Department, a bond with competent surety, in the penal sum of $10,000.00)

*All fees are payable by business check, certified bank draft, money order or U.S. Postal money order.

A license issued for one category does not allow a person to engage in activity applicable to another category. A separate license must be obtained for each category.

Any person and/or firm who has made prior application to and has satisfactorily met the statutory requirements to engage in or transact business in this State pursuant to C.G.S Chapters 405/409/414 and who desires to conduct business as a licensed pawnbroker, precious metals / gemstones and coin dealers and or a secondhand dealer within the City of Norwich as defined by Public Act 11-100 of the General Statutes shall meet the following requirements as established by the Chief of Police (hereinafter identified as the “Issuing Authority”);

1. Complete the appropriate application and addendum for the specific license desired and return the form with the statutory fee (listed above) to the Norwich Police Department, 70 Thames Street, Norwich, CT 06360. License applications can be obtained from the Records Division during regular business hours or by calling (860) 886-5561.
2. ALL applicants shall have their fingerprints taken. Fingerprinting service is provided by Biometric Identification Services. See their website for appointment times, fees and locations

Per statute, the “Issuing Authority” shall not grant a license to any applicant upon documentation or finding that the person is a “convicted felon”.

3. ALL applicants shall submit photocopies of the following documents at the time of Application:
   1. Current driver’s license
   2. Birth certificate OR Social security card
   3. Connecticut Sales and Tax Permit - issued by the Commissioner of Revenue Services, 25
   4. Sigourney Street, Hartford, Telephone (860) 297-5962 or (800) 382-9463
   5. Proof of bond from competent surety if required
4. Incomplete applications or those submitted without the proper supporting documentation shall be returned to the applicant.
5. Each Person engaging or transacting in such business must be licensed.

Applications approved by the Chief of Police will result in the issuance of a permit as a licensed pawnbroker, precious metal and gemstone dealer, or secondhand dealer. Such permits will be valid for one year from the date they are signed.

If you owned a vehicle as of October 1st, you are responsible for the tax bill that comes due the following July. If you dispose of the vehicle, your bill may be adjusted if two forms of proof are provided to the Assessor.

The Norwich City Clerk does not process passports.  Participating application sites are available at https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/   Passport questions can be answered by the US Department of State.  Please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html for more information. 

The Connecticut Judicial Branch handles divorce procedures and records. The Norwich Judicial District courthouse is located at One Courthouse Sq., Norwich, CT 06360 and their phone number is (860) 887-3515. You can also find divorce information on the Connecticut Judicial Branch Website. 

www.ctsurveyors.org provides guidance, a searchable database and contact information for CT licensed land surveyors.

ADA Grievance Procedure

The city's ADA Coordinator is Director of Human Resources Robert V. Scalise

The rates are $40/month for the lots and $50.00/month for the garages for Monday - Friday.  Sunday - Saturday, 24/7/365 parking, is $85 a month.  

Yes.

When schools are canceled due to weather, classes will not meet. Cancellations are announced in the afternoon on WICH 1310 AM or WCTY 97.7 FM. If a class is canceled after office hours, we will post that information on our voicemail. Please call (860) 823-3791 and choose the third mailbox for cancellations and events.

If you have a particular craft or skill that you would be interested in sharing, we are always looking for instructors to offer a variety of activities. Email Erin Haggan, ehaggan@cityofnorwich.org for more information. 

Visit the state's online polling location website to enter your address and locate your polling place.

Complete a voter registration application. Return it by mail or in person to the Registrar of Voters of your town. 

Online voter registration is available at https://voterregistration.ct.gov (Site run by the Secretary of the State's office) - You must have a CT Driver's license or CT State ID to use the online voter registration system.

You may also find an application at a public library, a social service agency, a motor vehicle office, the Registrar of Voters Office, or the Town Clerk’s Office.

To review the requirements for voter identification, please check the Connecticut Secretary of the State's office at the link below.

Residents are allowed 2 curbside bulky waste pickups per year. Residents may schedule a bulky waste pickup by calling Willimantic Waste Paper (WWP) at 860-423-4527 or by going to the WWP website to reserve a pickup via online reservation. The quantity of materials placed for a curbside bulky waste pile should be equivalent to what would fit in a standard pickup truck bed, not to exceed 6ft x 10ft x 4ft. Curbside bulky waste pickups are not for intended for entire house/apartment cleanouts. Very large quantities of bulky waste should be brought to the transfer station for a fee, or properly disposed of commercially (i.e., dumpster service). Household furniture (including mattresses) - Maximum of two pieces per pick up. Wooden items: such as chairs, bureaus, etc. can exceed limit of two pieces. Tires - Maximum of four automobile and / or small pickup truck tires. They cannot be on the metal rims, no large truck tires.  Metal - Maximum length of eight feet. Maximum weight of 50 pounds per piece. Scrap Wood - A neat pile not to exceed four feet wide, eight feet long and three feet high. PLEASE NOTE: Construction debris such as shower surrounds, sinks, tubs, toilets, sheetrock, or roof shingles are not eligible for bulky waste pickup and should be either delivered directly to the Transfer Station or removed by a private contractor.  Appliances that contain Freon (i.e. refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, humidifiers/dehumidifiers) are Not eligible for bulky waste pickup but accepted at the Rogers Road Transfer Station. 

The City has contracted with Willimantic Waste Paper Inc. to perform trash and recycling hauling services, and bulky waste collection services. Willimantic Waste can be reached at 860-423-4527 or at www.williwaste.com.

Yes, at a cost. Weekly backyard service for trash and biweekly for recyclables is $485 per year. If you are a relatively small waste generator, and can hold your trash for 2 weeks at a time, you may purchase bi-weekly (every other week) backyard service for $242.50 per year. Please contact the Department of Public Works at 860-823-3798 for more information.

The Norwich Code of Ordinances requires property owners to maintain sidewalks in front or on the side of their property. The owner, occupant or any person having the care of any building or lot of land bordering any street, square, or public place in the city where there is a sidewalk shall cause to be removed therefrom all snow and sleet within 12 hours after the same shall have fallen, been deposited or found, or within six hours after sunrise when the same shall have occurred in the nighttime.

See this page

50 Clinton Ave

Norwich, CT 06360

Yes.  The Property Rehabilitation and Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Programs are funded by HUD and follow the HUD Income Limits.  Please be aware HUD revises these annually.  The most up-to-date income limits can be accessed HERE.

Mini-trips are open to Members only. Mini-trips and day-long trips will be marked as such in the VOICES Newsletter. 

Schedule

• Day #1 Sign Up - For Norwich resident members only
• Day #2 Sign Up - Includes out-of-town members
• Day #3 Sign Up - Open registration - includes any adult 18 years of age and older

Procedure Starting at 5:00 pm, call (860) 889-5960. When you hear the message saying that the center is closed, dial 104. Listen to the instructions and leave a message with your contact information, guest names, meal choice, etc.

If you are not directed to the trip registration voice mailbox, it means that the line is busy. Please hang up and try in a few minutes.

Trip Registration Guidelines

• Adults only are permitted to go on trips with the Rose City Senior Center (no youth permitted).
• You may register yourself and up to two adult guests; additional guests can register during open registration.
• During open registration, any aged adult may register to go on trips with the Rose City Senior Center. You do not have to be a member or a senior to go on trips.
• You may register in person only after your phone-in registration day has passed and if space is still available, otherwise your name will be placed on a waiting list.
• Names will be added to the registration list or waiting list in the order that the messages or names are received.
• If you leave a message but do not follow the procedure and guidelines (i.e. message left before 5:00 pm, etc.), the message will be disregarded and you will be responsible for registering again following the correct procedure.
• We must receive your full payment (check or cash) within one week of the day you registered on, or you will lose your spot. Payment can be made in person or by mail.
• If you cancel two or more weeks before the trip, you will receive a reimbursement.
• If you cancel within two weeks of a trip, you will receive a reimbursement only if your seat is filled.
• You are responsible for finding your own transportation to and from the trip departure / return point.
• Emergency Contact / Waiver Forms must be filled out each year. The completed form must be turned in or mailed to the senior center before the trip.
• The Rose City Senior Center Director and program administrator reserve the right to limit or deny participation in any part of a trip or deny registration for a trip, for any reason (i.e. health reasons).
• Each individual should use their own discretion about their ability to participate on a trip before they register.

Currently the City of Norwich has two organized neighborhood crime watch groups which the Norwich Police takes part in. For information regarding those groups, or information on how to set up a crime watch in your neighborhood, or Call (860) 886-5561.

The carts are warrantied for 10 years against manufacturer defects. If a cart is damaged by the hauler it will be repaired or replaced at the hauler’s cost. If a cart is broken by means other than the hauler’s actions then the customer must pay for a replacement cart. The cost to have a replacement cart delivered to a customers location is $90.00 per cart. Stolen or Lost carts are also the responsibility of the property owner. Each cart will have a City of Norwich logo and there will be a space on each cart for customers to write in their address. Both of these measures should help greatly reduce the probability of theft.

https://www.policedatainitiative.org/faq/