Always call the town hotline before you go. Bed status changes after rain and for other public-health reasons, and the hotline (not this page) is the authoritative answer.
Connecticut has no statewide recreational shellfish license: each shoreline town sets its own permit, fee and rules. This table is copied from each town page on this site, with the official source linked.
| Town | Permit fee | Valid | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwich, CT | Permit fee: Not published on the town pages we read — check with Town Clerk Source ↗ | Oct 1 – Sep 30 | Town Clerk's Office; online (new for 2026, link on town page). Source ↗ |
| Stamford, CT | Stamford city permit: Not published on the city pages we read — call Cashiering & Permitting, 203-977-4979 Darien permit, Stamford resident: $20 (Darien form prices Darien & Stamford residents the same; valid in Darien's waters) Darien permit, Stamford resident 65+: No fee 2020 state-referenced guide (old, unverified): Stamford resident $10, senior $3 Source ↗ | — | Stamford: Cashiering & Permitting, Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd, ground floor, 203-977-4979 (the city says it issues shellfish permits). Darien permit (Stamford residents pay the Darien resident rate): Darien Health Department, 2 Renshaw Road, Darien. Source ↗ |
| Darien, CT | Darien/Stamford resident: $20 Senior resident 65+: Free Non-resident: $40 Source ↗ | Annual | Darien Health Department, 2 Renshaw Road (application form). Source ↗ |
| Norwalk, CT | Permit fee: Regulations say only "the current permit fee" (amount not stated) — call the Town Clerk Source ↗ | — | An authorized permit seller, with proof of residence and age (per regulations; sellers not listed). Call the Town Clerk to confirm where to buy. Source ↗ |
| Westport, CT | Permit fee: Listed on the 2026 application (not verified here) — call the Town Clerk or Conservation Dept Source ↗ | Jan 1 – Dec 31 | Mail-in application to Conservation Department (203-341-1087 for ID exceptions). Source ↗ |
| Fairfield, CT | Resident: $25 Senior 60+: $15 Non-resident: $50 Source ↗ | Jan 1 – Dec 31 (town page); online store shows 12/01/2025–11/30/2026 | Conservation Department, Sullivan Independence Hall, 725 Old Post Rd; online via town WebTrac. Source ↗ |
| Bridgeport, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| Stratford, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| Milford, CT | Permit: Not listed in the state brochure — call the Town Clerk Source ↗ | — | — Source ↗ |
| West Haven, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| New Haven, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| East Haven, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| Branford, CT | Resident: $10 Non-resident: $50 Non-resident daily: $10 Branford seniors 65+: No charge Source ↗ | Calendar year; required age 16+ | Town Clerk's office or a Commission member. Source ↗ |
| Guilford, CT | Resident: $30 Resident senior: $20 Non-resident: $80 Non-resident senior: $70 Daily: $25 Source ↗ | — | Town Clerk (31 Park St); Captain Morgan's Bait & Tackle (Madison); Fishin' Factory III (Middletown); Dee's Bait & Tackle (New Haven); a warden by appointment. Source ↗ |
| Madison, CT | Permit fee: Not published on the town pages we read Source ↗ | — | — Source ↗ |
| Clinton, CT | Permit fee: Not read (commission site blocks automated fetch) Source ↗ | — | Town Clerk, Town Hall, 54 E Main St, (860) 669-9101. Source ↗ |
| Westbrook, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| Old Saybrook, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| Old Lyme, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| Niantic River, CT | Daily resident: $10 Daily non-resident: $15 Seasonal resident: $50 Seasonal non-resident: $75 Senior seasonal resident: $25 Senior seasonal non-resident: $35 Source ↗ | Seasonal; no refunds | Waterford and East Lyme Town Clerks; most local bait & tackle shops (Mackey's, J&B Tackle per Niantic River Watershed Committee). Source ↗ |
| New London, CT | Recreational permit: No recreational program or permit found on official pages — nothing to buy that we know of. Call before you go Source ↗ | — | Nothing to buy: no recreational permit found. If you want to clam nearby, see the neighbouring town pages on this site. Source ↗ |
| Groton, CT | Weekly: $20 res / $25 non-res Monthly: $25 / $35 Yearly: $40 / $55 Oysters daily: $10 / $15 Senior yearly: $30 / $40 Source ↗ | Annual = calendar year (effective Jan 1, 2025) | Groton Town Hall, Ken's Tackle Shop, Groton Town Police. Source ↗ |
| Stonington, CT | Resident 16–64: $30/yr Resident senior 65+: $15/yr Non-resident 16–64: $45/yr Non-resident senior: $30/yr Youth 13–15: $15/yr Daily: $20/day Source ↗ | Apr 1 – Mar 31; + processing fee online; under 13 no permit | Online via Online Mooring (town-linked). Source ↗ |
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