CGS 29-30:
Permit Fees, Expiration, and Renewal

Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-30 establishes the fees for both the State Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers and the Permit for Sale at Retail of Firearms, and the validity period and renewal procedures for the state permit to carry.^[1] Understanding these provisions is essential for permit holders to maintain continuous legal authority to carry or sell firearms.

Fee Schedule

The statute establishes the following fees:

• Temporary State Permit (local): The fee for an original state permit is $140 plus the funds required for the FBI national criminal history records check, and the local permitting authority retains $70 of it^[2]
• State Permit (DESPP): $70 is sent to the commissioner upon the local permitting authority's approval of the temporary state permit application^[2]
• State Permit Renewal: $70 per renewal period^[1]
• Permit for Sale at Retail (original): $200^[1]
• Permit for Sale at Retail (renewal): $200^[1]

Upon deposit of the fees in the General Fund, $10 of each fee is credited within thirty days to the DESPP appropriation, to a separate nonlapsing account for the purposes of the issuance of permits.^[1]

Validity Period

A state permit to carry pistols and revolvers is valid for five years from the date it becomes effective. Each renewal is likewise valid for five years, running from the expiration date of the permit being renewed, not from the date the renewal is processed. This means there is no gap or overlap in permit validity when renewals are timely filed.^[1]

A temporary state permit expires 60 days after the date it becomes effective and may not be renewed. The applicant must appear at a location designated by the commissioner to receive the state permit no later than 60 days after receiving the temporary state permit.^[3]

Renewal Process

The statute requires the issuing authority to send a renewal notice to the holder of a state permit to carry a pistol or revolver at least 90 days before expiration, by first class mail or electronic mail. The notice must include a renewal application form.^[1] State permit renewal is not contingent on the renewal or issuance of a local permit. Renewals are mailed in or completed online with DESPP.

Renewal Window and Fee

CGS 29-30(d) provides that the $70 renewal fee applies to renewals requested from 31 days before through 31 days after the state permit expires. DESPP states that state pistol permit holders are granted a 90 day grace period to renew and lists the cost of renewing a state pistol permit as $70.^[1][5]

90-Day Statutory Grace Period

Under CGS 29-30, a state permit to carry remains legally valid for 90 days after its printed expiration date unless the permit has been revoked or revocation is pending under CGS 29-32.^[1] This grace period means the permit retains its full legal force during this 90-day window, allowing holders to continue lawfully carrying while their renewal is being processed or if they missed the standard renewal window.

However, this grace period does not apply to permits that have been revoked or for which revocation proceedings are pending under CGS 29-32.

It is important to distinguish between these two timeframes:

• 90-day renewal window (up to 90 days after expiration): DESPP allows renewal during this period and lists a $70 renewal fee. CGS 29-30(d) separately specifies that fee for requests from 31 days before through 31 days after expiration
• 90-day legal validity period (90 days after expiration): The full statutory period during which the permit remains legally valid, even if the standard renewal window has closed

Permit holders who miss the fee window in CGS 29-30(d) but are still within 90 days after expiration can still renew, because DESPP grants state pistol permit holders a 90 day grace period to renew.

DESPP lists the cost of renewing a state pistol permit as $70 and grants a 90 day grace period to renew. DESPP states that permits expired beyond 90 days will not be renewed.^[1]

90-Day Grace Period

Under CGS 29-30, a state permit to carry remains valid for 90 days after its printed expiration date.^[1] This grace period allows permit holders to continue lawfully carrying while their renewal is being processed. However, this grace period does not apply to permits that have been revoked or for which revocation proceedings are pending under CGS 29-32.

Practical Considerations

Permit holders should note several practical points. First, renewal notices are sent at least 90 days before expiration. Second, requesting renewal from 31 days before through 31 days after the expiration date ensures the $70 renewal fee in CGS 29-30(d) applies. Third, even if a renewal is filed late, the 90-day grace period provides a buffer. Permits expired beyond 90 days will not be renewed, and a new permit requires repeating the full two-step process.^[4]

See also: Non-Resident Pistol Permit Application Guide