[Ord. No. 63-2, § 1, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-4-1971, § 1]
(a) 
The purpose of this article is to insure safe, sanitary and decent housing for all residents of this City. This article has been adopted to fulfill the City's responsibility to provide for the health, safety and welfare of its inhabitants; and therefore this article applies to every structure used for living purposes.
(b) 
This article includes minimum standards for other things such as electrical service, window space and ventilation, and the general upkeep and structural condition of the dwelling.
(c) 
This article also describes the responsibilities of owners and occupants for maintaining the premises in a clean and sanitary condition, and it defines the maximum number of people that may live in a dwelling unit of any specific size.
(d) 
Rooming houses are subject to certain additional standards, including the issuance of rooming house permits.
(e) 
All movable units used for human habitation, and the areas, grounds or parcels on which they are located, insofar as they are applicable thereto and not in conflict with, shall comply with the requirements of this article.
(f) 
The provisions of this article are supplemented in some instances by the State Tenement Act, Chapter 196 of the General Statutes of the state, and by the State Fire Safety Code adopted under Chapter 172 of the General Statutes. These state laws and regulations apply to all dwelling structures occupied by three or more families.
(g) 
Unsafe and unsanitary conditions are a prime cause of blight and decay in residential neighborhoods. Thus, this article, together with the City zoning regulations and applicable building, plumbing and electrical regulations are basic elements of a comprehensive program for protecting residential neighborhoods.
[Ord. No. 63-2, §§ 2.0-2.13, 2.15-2.20, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-4-1971, § 2; Ord. of 10-1-1984]
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article:
BASEMENT
A portion of a building located partly underground, but having less than half of its clear floor-to-ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
BEDROOM
Any room furnished with a bed or other type of furniture suitable or used for sleeping purposes, which room is to be used or intended for sleeping purposes.
BOARDINGHOUSE, LODGING HOUSE AND TOURIST HOME
A building arranged or used for the lodging, with or without meals, for compensation, by more than five and not more than 20 individuals.
CELLAR
A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground, and having half or more than half of its clear floor-to-ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
CONDEMN
To adjudge unfit for use or occupancy.
CONDEMNATION
The act of judicially condemning.
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH
The legally designated health authority of the City, or his authorized representative.
DWELLING
Any building which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants. Whenever used in this article, such word shall be construed as if followed by the words "or any part thereof."
DWELLING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. Whenever used in this article, such words shall be construed as if followed by the words "or any part thereof."
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food; by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping; or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the Director of Health.
FAMILY
An individual or married couple and the children thereof with not more than two other persons related directly to the individual or married couple by blood or marriage; or a group of not more than five unrelated (excluding servants) persons, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit.
GARBAGE
The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
HABITABLE ROOM
A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers or communicating corridors, closets, recreation rooms, private workshops, hobby rooms or storage spaces.
HOTEL
Any building containing six or more guest rooms intended or designed to be used, or which are used, rented or hired out to be occupied, or which are occupied for sleeping purposes by guests.
INFESTATION
The presence, within or contiguous to, a structure or premises of insects, rats, vermin or other pests.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
Any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units.
OCCUPANT
Any person, over one year of age, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in, or having actual possession of, a dwelling unit or rooming unit.
OPERATOR
Any person who has charge, care or control of a building, or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let.
OWNER
Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others:
(1) 
Shall have legal title to any dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or
(2) 
Shall have charge, care or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this article, and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he were the owner.
PLUMBING
Includes all of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, water closets, sinks, installed clothes-washing machines, catch basins, drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
PREMISES
A lot, plot or parcel of land including the buildings or structures thereon.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
Includes the following:
(1) 
The physical condition, or use of any premises regarded as a public nuisance at common law; or
(2) 
Any physical condition, use or occupancy of any premises or its appurtenances considered an attractive nuisance to children, including, but not limited to, abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations and/or unsafe accessory structures; or
(3) 
Any premises which have unsanitary sewerage or plumbing facilities; or
(4) 
Any premises designated as unsafe for human habitation or use; or
(5) 
Any premises which is capable of being a fire hazard, or has been damaged by fire or is unsafe so as to endanger life, limb or property; or
(6) 
Any premises from which the plumbing, heating and/or facilities required by this or any other code have been removed, or from which utilities have been disconnected, destroyed, removed or rendered ineffective, or the required precautions against trespassers have not been provided; or
(7) 
Any premises which are unsanitary, or which are littered with rubbish or garbage, or which have an objectionable growth of weeds; or
(8) 
Any structure or building that is in a state of dilapidation, deterioration or decay; faulty construction; overcrowded; open, vacant or abandoned; damaged by fire to the extent as not to provide shelter, and is dangerous to anyone on or near the premises.
ROOMING HOUSE
Any dwelling, or that part of any dwelling containing one or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to four or more persons who are not husband or wife, daughter or son, mother or father, or sister or brother of the owner or operator, provided that hospitals, homes for the aged, and other institutions licensed by the State Department of Health under Chapter 333 of the General Statutes shall not be regarded as rooming houses or as subject to the provisions of this article. Whenever such words are used in this article, they shall be construed as if followed by the words "or any part thereof."
ROOMING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes. Whenever used in this article such words shall be construed as if followed by the words "or any part thereof."
RUBBISH
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage; and the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coke and other combustible material, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust.
SUPPLIED
Paid for, furnished or provided by or under the control of the owner or operator.
VENTILATION
The process of supplying and removing air by natural or mechanical means to or from any space. Mechanical shall mean ventilating by power-driven devices. Natural shall mean ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, doors, louvers, or stacks without wind-driven devices.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 1, 1-7-1963]
The owner of a dwelling structure must provide such major facilities as a kitchen sink, a complete bathroom unit, hot and cold running water, and either central or space heating equipment of a prescribed capacity.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 3.0, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-4-1971, § 3]
All accessory structures including detached garages shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 16.2, 1-7-1963]
The following rules shall govern multiple-family dwellings, apartment or tenement houses:
(1) 
Each story of every building shall have at least two means of egress from each floor level and shall be as remotely located from one another as possible, so as to provide the best practicable means of egress for all occupants in the event of a fire or other emergencies rendering one exit impassable. Stairways loading from one level to another shall be segregated at each level, with no hold open devices, having a fire-resisting rating of at least one hour. Elevators shall not be an approved means of egress. Exit signs shall be required showing location of approved exits. Multiple-family buildings having more than four apartments shall be required to have an approved emergency lighting system. Exits on each floor shall be governed by the occupant load of all floors above, except the topmost floor.
(2) 
All multiple-family dwellings, apartments or tenement houses shall have a storage area minimum of 40 square feet for the storage of miscellaneous articles of the occupants and no storage other than this will be allowed. The storage of gasoline powered equipment such as lawn mowers, snow plowers, outboard motors or gasoline shall not be allowed within these buildings excepting a room for the storage of this type of equipment, necessary for mowing of lawns, removal of snow, etc., shall be provided at grade level and access to such room shall be only from the outside. If storage space is to be provided for automobiles, etc., with occupancies above, such space shall be segregated from all areas of occupancies by doors, floors, walls and ceilings having a fire-resisting rating of not less than two hours, with adequate ventilation directly to the outside.
(3) 
There shall be no hanging of clothes within the building, except within the individual living units.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 13.0, 1-7-1963]
In any case where a provision of this article is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning, building, fire, safety, health or other ordinance or code of the City, the provision which establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the health and safety of the people shall prevail.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 1, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-4-1971, § 1; Ord. of 10-1-1984]
Administration of this article is entrusted to the City Health Department. The Director of Health and/or his authorized agents are permitted to inspect all dwelling structures and to order any repairs or additional facilities necessary to meet code standards. The Director of Health and/or his authorized agents are also empowered to condemn dwellings and/or dwelling units that are unfit for human habitation, and to order the owner of a condemned dwelling and/or dwelling unit to bring the structure up to code standards or to cease its use for living purposes. Appeals from the actions of the Director of Health may be taken to the appeal board established by this article.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 3.0, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-1-1984]
The Director of Health and/or his authorized agents are hereby authorized and directed to make inspections at any reasonable time to determine the condition of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and premises located within the City, in order that he may perform his duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of dwellings and of the general public.
[Ord. of 10-1-1984[1]]
If any owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a structure refuses, impedes, inhibits, interferes with, restricts, or obstructs entry and access to any part of the structure or premises where inspection is sought, the Director of Health may seek a court order that such owner, occupant or other person in charge cease and desist with such interference and allow entry for inspection purposes.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Section 11-20, which pertained to the designation of substandard areas, adopted 1-7-1963 by Ord. No. 63-2.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 15.0, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-1-1984]
No dwelling unit or rooming unit shall be created within an existing structure or converted, remodeled or altered so as to create an additional dwelling unit or rooming unit unless and until the Director of Health has reviewed the plans and specifications for such work and certifies that the provisions of this article will be complied with. Such review and certification shall be a prerequisite to the issuance by the Building or Zoning Department of any permits for such work.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 4.3, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-4-1971, § 6; Ord. of 6-14-1982, § 1; Ord. of 10-1-1984[1]]
(a) 
The Mayor, subject to the approval of a majority of the Board of Aldermen, shall appoint and establish an appeal board of five persons qualified by education and experience in the building profession who shall have the duty, responsibility and authority to decide matters referred to them pursuant to Section 11-24 of the Code of Ordinances.
(b) 
The members of the board shall service without compensation and the five members shall be appointed for terms of five years, except members of the initially appointed board. One member of the initially appointed board shall serve for one year, one member for two years, one member for three years, one member for four years and one member for five years.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Section 11-22, Code Enforcement Committee, adopted 1-7-1963 by Ord. No. 63-2, as amended 10-4-1971, and renumbered former Sections 11-23 through 11-27 as Sections 11-22 through 11-26, respectively.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 4.1, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-1-1984]
Whenever the Director of Health determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provision of this article, he shall give an order and written notice of such alleged violation to the person or persons responsible therefor, as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall:
(1) 
Be in writing;
(2) 
Include a description of the premises affected for purposes of identification;
(3) 
Include a statement of the reasons why it is being issued;
(4) 
Contain an outline of remedial action, which if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this article, and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto;
(5) 
Allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires;
(6) 
Be served upon the owner or his agent, or the occupant as the case may require; provided that such notice and order shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or agent, or upon such occupant, if a copy thereof is sent upon him personally or if a copy thereof is sent by registered mail to his last known address; or if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the dwelling affected by the notice or at least one publication of such order in a local newspaper of general circulation.
[Ord. No. 63-2, §§ 4.2—4.4, 1-7.63; Ord. of 10-4-1971, §§ 5, 6; Ord. of 10-1-1984; Ord. of 3-3-2003]
(a) 
The person(s) upon whom any order has been served may request, within 10 days of receipt of said notice, upon payment of a fee of $10 to the Treasurer of the City, a hearing on the matter before the appeal board created in Section 11-22. If properly filed, the request for a hearing shall be granted. If the order is withdrawn, such fee shall be returned to the petitioner; provided, however, that only one appeal shall be allowed for each original order, and does not include subsequent or reissued orders dealing with substantially the same violations.
(b) 
At such hearing the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why such notice should be modified, extended or withdrawn or a variance granted;
(c) 
The hearing shall be commenced not later than 60 days after the day on which the petition was filed, provided that upon application of the petitioner, the board may postpone the date of the hearing for a reasonable time beyond such sixty-day period, if, in its judgment, the petitioner has submitted a good and sufficient reason for such postponement, but in no event shall such hearing be postponed longer than 60 days.
(d) 
The appeal board may grant an extension or variance in accordance with the following conditions:
(1) 
The time for performance of any act required by the notice may be extended for not more than 18 months subject to appropriate conditions and where the board makes specific findings of fact based on evidence relating to the particular case:
a. 
That there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the way of carrying out the strict letter of any provision of this article; and
b. 
That such extension is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this article in securing the public health, safety and general welfare.
(2) 
A variance may be granted in a specific case and from a specific provision of this article subject to appropriate conditions and where the committee makes specific findings of fact based on evidence relating to the particular case:
a. 
That there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the provisions;
b. 
That the effect of the application of the provisions would be arbitrary in the specific case;
c. 
That an extension would not constitute an appropriate remedy for these practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships and this arbitrary effect; and
d. 
That such variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this article in securing the public health, safety and general welfare.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 4.5, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-1-1984]
(a) 
Generally. If the notice and order provided for in Section 11-23 is sustained, modified or extended, it shall become an order as so sustained, modified or extended by the appeal board. However, if the notice and order provided for in Section 11-23 is not appealed within the specified time period, it shall remain in effect as served.
[Ord. No. 63-2, § 4.6, 1-7-1963; Ord. of 10-4-1971, § 7; Ord. of 10-1-1984]
The proceedings at the hearings provided for in Section 11-24, including the findings and decision of the appeal board, shall be summarized, reduced to writing, and entered as a matter of public record in the office of the Director of Health and open to reasonable public inspection. Such record shall also include a copy of every notice or order issued in connection with the matter. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Director of Health or the appeal board may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction, as provided by the laws of this state.
[Ord. of 10-1-1984]
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dwelling unit or structure who has received a compliance order or a notice of violation to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of to another until the provisions of the compliance order or notice of violation have been complied with, or until such owner has furnished the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee a true copy of any compliance order or notice of violation issued by the Department of Health and has furnished to the Department of Health a signed and notarized statement from the grantee, transferee, mortgagee, or lessee, acknowledging the receipt of such compliance order or notice of violation and fully accepting the responsibility without condition for making the corrections or repairs required by such compliance order or notice of violation.