Adoption of Planning Regions in Connecticut

1. Purpose. This Circular announces a change to VA appraisal ordering and assignment in the State of Connecticut. VA is transitioning from counties to planning regions in Connecticut as a result of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) recognition and adoption of planning regions for the conforming loan limits as of January 1, 2026.

2. Background. In 2022, the State of Connecticut requested¹ the adoption of nine planning regions as county-equivalents. These nine planning regions replace Connecticut's eight counties historically used by VA stakeholders when requesting an appraisal.

3. Action. Effective January 1, 2026, appraisal requests for properties located in the State of Connecticut will need to use the appropriate planning region in the county field in WebLGY.

a. Appraisers approved to complete VA assignments in Connecticut will have their GEO locations changed to reflect the appropriate planning regions. VA appraisers will be expected to cover the entire planning region, regardless of size.

b. Lenders will need to ensure that the correct planning region is selected on the county dropdown menu, in WebLGY, when ordering an appraisal. Failure to do so may result in a delay in appraisal assignment and completion.

1. Paperwork Reduction Act: The information collection requirements contained in this document have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. § 3501-3520) and assigned OMB control numbers 2900-0045. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, VA may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond, to a collection of information unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number.

2. Rescission: This Circular is valid until rescinded.

¹ Change to County-Equivalents in the State of Connecticut