[HISTORY: Adopted City of Norwalk Common Council 7-10-1979.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 59, Housing Code, adopted 5-10-1960, as amended. Said ordinance also provided as follows:
"The purpose of this Code is to establish minimum standards for the condition and maintenance of dwellings in order to make dwellings and the environment safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation; to prevent blight; and to Insure that all residents of Norwalk enjoy a decent standard of living."
A. 
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
BASEMENT
A portion of a building located partly underground, but having less than 1/2 of its clear floor-to-ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
CELLAR
A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground and having 1/2 or more of its clear floor-to-ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC 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 beings, provided that "temporary housing" as defined in this section shall not be regarded as a "dwelling."
DWELLING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms located within a building and forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating, which contains a complete bathroom fixture group and an approved kitchen or kitchenette.
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 or trapping; or by any other recognized and legal pest-elimination methods approved by the Director of Public Health.
FAMILY
One person plus one or more persons who are legally related to said person and residing in the same dwelling unit with said person, provided that this shall not limit the number of persons residing in a single location under the terms of Sections 8-119d through 8-119j of the Connecticut General Statutes concerning congregate housing for the elderly.
GARBAGE
The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, storage, spoilage and consumption of food.
GUEST
Any noncontributing person who shares a dwelling unit in a nonpermanent status for not more than 60 days.
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, furnace rooms, pantries, kitchenettes and utility rooms of less than 70 square feet, foyers or communicating corridors, stairways, closets, storage space and workshops, hobby and recreation areas in unsealed or uninsulated parts of a structure below ground level or in attics.
HOUSEHOLD
A family, including servants and not more than two boarders, who shares the same dwelling and uses some or all of its cooking and eating facilities.
INFESTATION
The presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents or other pests.
KITCHEN
A room used for the preparation of foods, which shall contain at least one gas or electric stove with a minimum of three top burners, an oven for cooking, one gas or electric refrigerator, a kitchen-type sink properly installed and serviced with running hot and cold water and cabinets for the storage of dry foods, dishes, pots and pans.
KITCHENETTE
A small kitchen or alcove which shall contain the facilities of a kitchen. These facilities may be constructed and/or arranged in a compact unit.
LEAD PAINT
Any pigmented, liquid substance applied to surfaces by brush, roller or spray in which the total nonvolatile ingredient contains more than 1% of lead by weight, calculated as metallic lead.
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 actually having possession of, a dwelling unit or a rooming unit, except that in dwelling units a guest will not be considered an "occupant."
OPERATOR
Any person who has the 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.
(2) 
Shall have charge, care or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner, agent of the owner, fiduciary or any other legal representative of the owner or his estate. Any such person thus representing the actual "owner" shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto to the same extent as if he were the "owner."
PERMISSIBLE OCCUPANCY
The maximum number of persons permitted as family or household or not more than five unrelated people to reside in a dwelling unit or rooming unit, based on the formula for square footage stated in § 59-7 of this chapter.
PERSON
Includes any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership.
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 dishwashers, lavatories, drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, approved sewage-disposal systems or gas lines.
REGISTER OF OCCUPANT
A written record containing the true name, address, place of employment, if any, and initial date of occupancy of all persons occupying rooming house premises.
ROOMING HOUSE
Any dwelling, or the part of any dwelling containing one or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to three or more persons who are not husband or wife, son or daughter, 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 181 of the Connecticut General Statutes shall not be regarded as "rooming houses" or as subject to the provisions of this chapter.
ROOMING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, which may include a kitchenette.
RUBBISH
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage. The term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal, 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.
TEMPORARY HOUSING
Any tent, trailer or similar structure which is to be used for temporary human shelter shall be in accordance with Section 314.0, Temporary Structures, of the State of Connecticut Basic Building Code and as approved by the Norwalk Building Board of Appeals.
[Amended 4-24-1984]
B. 
Meaning of certain words. Whenever the words "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "rooming house," "rooming unit" or "premises" are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof." Whenever the masculine pronoun is used, it shall also mean the feminine.
The Director of Public Health is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections 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, environment, welfare and safety of the occupants of dwellings and of the general public. For the purpose of making such inspections, the Director of Public Health is hereby authorized to enter, examine and survey at all reasonable times all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and premises. The owner or occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit and rooming unit, or person in charge thereof, shall give the Director of Public Health free access to such dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit and its premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspection, examination and survey. Each occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall give the owner therof, or his agent or employee, access to any part of such dwelling or dwelling unit, or its premises, at all reasonable times for the purpose of making such repairs and/or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter or any lawful order issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
A. 
There is hereby created a Code Enforcement Committee which shall consist of the Building Inspector, Director of Public Health, the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshal, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority, the Police Chief, the Director of the Redevelopment Agency, the Planning Director and a member of the Common Council appointed by the Mayor. The Committee shall elect from its own members a Chairman who shall not be the Director of Public Health. The Secretary shall be a stenographer assigned to the Committee by the City Clerk. Such Committee shall be responsible for coordinating the code enforcement program of the city, with particular reference to the urban renewal and general planning objectives of the city. Any member of the Committee may designate an official of his department to represent him at meetings of the Committee.
B. 
Whenever the Director of Public Health determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter, he shall give notice of such alleged violation to the person responsible therefor, as hereinafter provided.
(1) 
Such notice shall:
(a) 
Be in writing.
(b) 
Include a statement of reason why it is being issued.
(c) 
Allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires.
(d) 
Be served upon the owner or his agent, or the operator or occupant, as the case may be or as the case may require, provided that such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or agent, or upon such operator or upon such occupant, if a copy thereof is served upon him personally or if a copy thereof is sent by certified 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 if he is served with such notice by any other method authorized or required under the laws of this state.
(e) 
Contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(2) 
The Director of Public Health may grant extensions of time fixed in said notice, provided that the following criteria are met:
(a) 
A request must be presented to the Director no later than five working days before the allotted time has expired.
(b) 
The request for extension must be in writing and signed by the responsible party.
(c) 
The request must contain a statement of facts or proof related to the reason why the original time was not, or could not, be adhered to.
(d) 
The facts presented are found to be reasonably accurate.
(e) 
There exists no immediate danger to the occupants residing on the premises or to the public.
C. 
Any person affected by any notice which has been issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this chapter may request and, upon the payment of a fee payable to the Treasurer of the city, shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Code Enforcement Committee, provided that such person shall file in the office of the Director of Public Health a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds thereof within 20 days after the day the notice was served. Upon receipt of such petition, the Director of Public Health shall notify the Committee to set a time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner five days' written notice thereof.
[Amended 6-10-1980[1]]
(1) 
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.
(2) 
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 Committee 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 57-5 of Ch. 57, Health and Sanitation, for current fee provisions.
D. 
Such hearing shall be had before a panel of five or more members of the Committee. The panel, by a majority vote of those present, may sustain, modify or withdraw the notice; it may also 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 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 any provision of this chapter.
(b) 
That such extension is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this chapter in securing the public health, environment, safety and general welfare.
(2) 
A variance may be granted in a specific case and from a specific provision of this chapter 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 provision.
(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.
(d) 
That such variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this chapter in securing the public health, environment, safety and general welfare.
E. 
If the notice is sustained, modified or extended, it shall become an order as so sustained, modified or extended. If the notice is withdrawn, the fee shall be returned to the petitioner. Any notice served pursuant to this section shall automatically become an order if a written petition for a hearing is not filed in the office of the Director of Public Health within 20 days after such notice is served.
[Amended 9-8-1992]
F. 
After a hearing in the case of any notice suspending any permit required by this chapter, when such notice has been sustained by the Committee, the permit shall be deemed to have been revoked. Any such permit which has been suspended by a notice shall be deemed to be automatically revoked if a petition for hearing is not filed in the office of the Director of Public Health within 20 days after such notice is served.
G. 
The proceedings at such hearings, including the findings and decision of the Code Enforcement Committee, shall be summarized, reduced to writing by the Secretary and entered as a matter of public record in the office of the Director of Public 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 Public Health or the Code Enforcement Committee may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent jurisdiction, as provided by the laws of this state.
H. 
Emergencies; immediate action by Health Officer.
(1) 
In cases wherein conditions of extreme danger pose a threat to life and limb of occupants and where an immediate repair or replacement will correct the situation, the Health Officer shall be authorized to correct such emergency conditions by contracting with a competent person or persons to make repairs and/or replacements within 24 hours.
(2) 
The cost of such service, which shall not exceed $500 shall be paid by the City of Norwalk within 90 days after the bill is presented. The costs incurred as aforesaid shall bear interest at the rate of 1% per month for each month after the expiration of said ninety-day period.
(3) 
There shall be added to the expenses incurred by the city a sum of not to exceed 5% thereof as a service charge and an additional 10% of the expense thereof as a penalty. Said expenses, including interest, service charge and penalty, shall be collected from the owner by an action in the name of the city.
(4) 
A lien in the name of the owner and describing the property repaired shall be filed in the land records of the city in an amount which shall include the expense incurred, together with the service charge and penalty as above provided for. Notice of said lien shall be sent to the owners and holders of mortgages on the property repaired.
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein which does not comply with the following requirements:
A. 
Every dwelling unit shall contain a room or space for the storage, preparation and cooking of food, which shall include space for a stove or other cooking facilities and space for dry-food storage and space for refrigerated food storage, and shall include a kitchen sink installed. The sink shall be in good working condition and properly connected to hot and cold running water systems under pressure and approved sewage disposal system, which sink and systems shall be installed and maintained in a manner prescribed by the ordinances, rules and regulations of the city.
B. 
Every dwelling unit, except as otherwise permitted under § 59-4C, shall be equipped with a complete bathroom fixture group consisting of a flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower in good working condition and installed and maintained in a manner prescribed by the ordinance, rules and regulations of the city. Such fixture group shall be properly connected to an approved sewage disposal system and to an approved hot and cold running water system under pressure, except that the flush water closet shall be connected to an approved sewage system and to an approved cold running water system under pressure. The flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower need not be installed in the same room, but the room shall afford privacy to a person within such room.
C. 
The occupants of not more than two dwelling units may share a single flush water closet and/or a single lavatory basin and/or a single bathtub or shower if:
(1) 
The dwelling units were created on or before the effective date of this chapter.
(2) 
Neither of the two dwelling units contains more than one room, provided that, for the purposes of this subsection, a kitchenette or an efficiency kitchen with not more than 60 square feet of floor area shall not be counted as a room.
(3) 
The habitable area of each such dwelling unit shall equal not more than 250 square feet of floor area.
(4) 
Such water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower shall be in good working condition, installed and maintained and properly connected as required in § 59-4B.
(5) 
Such shared facilities are located within the dwelling so as to be reasonably accessible from a common hall or passageway to all persons sharing such facilities.
(6) 
Such shared facilities are contained within a room which affords privacy to a person within such room.
D. 
Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with adequate rubbish storage facilities and with adequate garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage containers whose type and location are approved by the Director of Public Health. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to supply such facilities or containers for all dwelling units in a dwelling containing three or more dwelling units and for all dwelling units located on premises where more than four dwelling units share the same premises. In all other cases, it shall be the responsibility of the occupants to furnish such facilities or containers.
E. 
The water-heating facilities necessary to provide the hot water required under §§ 59-4A, B and C and 59-9G shall be properly installed and connected to the hot-water lines required under those subsections, shall be maintained in safe and good working condition and shall be capable of heating water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower at a temperature of not less than 120° F. Such supplied water-heating facilities shall be capable of meeting the requirements of this subsection when the dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit heating facilities required under the provisions of §§ 59-5E and 59-9 are not in operation.
F. 
Every dwelling unit shall have safe, unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, as required by the statutes, ordinances and regulations of the state and the city.
G. 
Lead paint or potentially hazardous material on the interior surfaces of any dwelling unit, rooming unit, rooming house or on any fixtures or other objects used, installed or located in or upon any exposed surface in any such facility subject to letting or occupancy by children is prohibited. Such interior surfaces include, but are not limited, to windowsills, window frames, doors, door frames, walls, ceilings, stair rails and spindles and all other appurtenances of the interior portion of the dwelling premises.
H. 
Every dwelling or accessory structure, and the premises upon which it is located, shall be rodentproof and maintained so as to prevent the harboring of rodents. Such premises shall be graded and drained, kept free of standing water and maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe condition.
I. 
Every dwelling unit shall have closet or storage space of at least four square feet floor-to-ceiling height for personal effects of each of the permitted number of occupants of that dwelling unit. If such required closet or storage space is lacking, an amount of space, equal in square footage to the deficiency, shall be subtracted from the area of habitable room space to be used in determining the number of occupants to be permitted in the dwelling unit.
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements:
A. 
Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum aggregate glass area of windows for habitable rooms shall not be less than 8% of the floor area of the room served by them. Whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any habitable room and such light-obstruction structures are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such window shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area. Whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of such room, the minimum aggregate glass area of such skylight shall be not less than 15% of the total floor area of such room.
[Amended 4-24-1984]
B. 
Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can easily be opened or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total of openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least 45% of the minimum window area size or minimum skylight-type window size, as required in § 59-5A, except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and approved by the Director of Public Health.
C. 
Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in § 59-5A and B, except where the bathroom or water closet compartment is adequately ventilated by a ventilation system which is kept in continuous or automatic operation and approved by the Director of Public Health.
D. 
Where there is electric service available from power lines which are not more than 300 feet away from a dwelling, every dwelling unit and all public and common areas shall be supplied with electric service, outlets and fixtures which shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition and shall be connected to the source of electric power in a manner prescribed by the ordinances, rules and regulations of the city. The capacity of such services and the number of outlets and fixtures shall be:
(1) 
Every habitable room shall have an electric service and outlets and/or fixtures capable of providing at least three watts per square foot of floor area.
(2) 
Every habitable room shall have at least one floor- or wall-type duplex electric convenience outlet for each 60 square feet or fraction thereof of floor area, and in no case less than one such outlet. If two or more such outlets are required, they shall not be on the same wall or immediate floor area.
(3) 
Every water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hall shall contain at least one supplied ceiling- or wall-type electric light fixture. Whenever electric service is supplied to more than one family through one meter, the owner shall be responsible to provide adequate electricity at all times.
E. 
Every dwelling or dwelling unit shall be supplied with heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments located therein to a temperature of at least 65° F. at a distance of three feet above floor level when the outdoor temperature is 0° F. Either central- or space-heating facilities may be used, but must meet the following requirements:
[Amended 2-11-1986]
(1) 
Every central unit and/or central hot-water heating unit shall:
(a) 
Have every heat duct, steam pipe and/or hot-water pipe free of leaks and functioning properly to provide an adequate amount of heat and/or hot water to the intended place of delivery.
(b) 
Be provided with seals between sections of hot-air furnaces to prevent the escape of noxious gases into heat ducts.
(c) 
If employing electricity, be connected to an electric circuit of adequate capacity in an approved manner.
(d) 
Be provided with automatic or safety devices and be installed and operated in the manner required by the statutes, ordinances and regulations of the state and the city.
(e) 
Whenever a single heating unit services more than one dwelling, the owner shall be responsible to provide adequate heat and/or hot water, maintenance of said unit and fuel at all times.
(2) 
Every space-heating unit and/or unit hot-water facility shall:
(a) 
Space heaters of any type using liquid fuel (kerosene, fuel oil, gasoline, etc.) shall not be used in any building used or intended to be used for the purpose of living therein.
(b) 
Not be of the portable type if using solid, liquid or gaseous fuel.
(c) 
If employing a flame, be connected to a flue or vent in the manner required by the statutes, ordinances and regulations of the state and the city.
(d) 
If employing solid or liquid fuels, have a fire-resistant panel beneath it.
(e) 
Be located at least three feet away from any wall or be equipped with insulation sufficient to prevent the overheating of any wall in a manner prescribed by the current standards of the American Standards Association and the National Fire Protection Association.
[Amended 4-24-1984]
(f) 
If employing gaseous fuel, be equipped with other than rubber tube or armored rubber tube connector.
(g) 
If employing electricity, be connected to an electric circuit of adequate capacity in an approved manner.
(h) 
Be installed and operated in the manner required by the statutes, ordinances and regulations of the state and the city.
F. 
Every common hallway and stairway in every multiple dwelling shall be adequately lighted with lighting facilities sufficient to provide at least one footcandle of light at the floor or stair tread level at all times. Every common hallway and stairway in structures devoted solely to dwelling occupancy and containing not more than two dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed instead of full-time lighting.
G. 
During the portion of each year when the Health Officer deems it necessary for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other insects, every door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space shall have supplied screens and a self-closing device; and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall likewise be supplied with screens.
H. 
Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation, and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents, shall be supplied with a screen or such other device as will effectively prevent their entrance.
I. 
Whenever gas service is supplied to more than one family through one meter, the owner shall be responsible to provide adequate gas at all times.
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements:
A. 
Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof, shall be capable of affording privacy and shall be kept in good repair.
B. 
Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair.
C. 
Every inside and outside stair, every porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be maintained and kept in sound condition and good repair.
D. 
Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks and obstructions.
E. 
Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
F. 
All rainwater shall be so drained and conveyed from every roof as not to cause dampness in the walls, ceilings or floors of any habitable room, or of any bathroom or water closet compartment.
G. 
All exterior wood surfaces shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint or other protective covering or treatment.
H. 
All walls, ceilings, interior woodwork, doors and windows shall be kept free of flaking, peeling or loose paint.
I. 
Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility which is required under this chapter shall be so constructed or installed that it will function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition.
J. 
No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under this chapter to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling let or occupied by him, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the Director of Public Health.
K. 
No owner shall occupy or let to any other occupant any vacant dwelling unit unless it is in a clean, safe and sanitary condition that complies with the intent of this chapter.
[Amended 4-24-1984]
Minimum space requirements for dwellings and dwelling units shall be erected or altered pursuant to the State Building Code as stated in § 19-398b of the General Statutes of Connecticut.
The following responsibilities of owners and occupants are in addition to those specified elsewhere throughout this chapter:
A. 
Every owner of a dwelling containing two or more dwelling units shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the shared or public areas of the dwelling and premises thereof.
B. 
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall keep in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling, dwelling unit and premises thereof which he occupies and controls.
C. 
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall dispose of all his rubbish in a clean and sanitary manner by placing it in the rubbish containers required by § 59-4D.
D. 
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall dispose of all his garbage, and any other organic waste which might provide food for rodents, in a clean and sanitary manner by placing it in the garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage containers required by § 59-4D.
E. 
The owner of a dwelling or dwelling unit or structure shall be responsible for providing and hanging all screens and double or storm doors and windows whenever the same are required under the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted thereunder, except where a written agreement between the owner and occupant has provided otherwise. In the absence of such an agreement, it shall become the responsibility of the occupant to maintain or replace screens, etc., once they have been installed.
F. 
Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests therein or on the premises, and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his dwelling unit is the only one infested. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in a ratproof or reasonably insectproof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units in any dwelling or in the shared or public parts of any dwelling containing two or more dwelling units, extermination thereof shall be the responsibility of the owner.
G. 
Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall keep all plumbing fixtures therein in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation thereof.
H. 
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any occupant or tenant to increase the number of persons in the dwelling unit rented by him beyond the number permitted in this chapter, and whenever such occupant or tenant is found responsible for such violation, such person will be subject to the penalties prescribed herein.
I. 
No owner or other person shall occupy or let to another person any vacant dwelling or dwelling unit unless said dwelling or dwelling unit and the premises are clean, sanitary, fit for human occupancy and comply with all applicable legal requirements of the State of Connecticut and the state municipalities.
J. 
Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall store and discard in a clean, sanitary and safe manner all his garbage and any other organic waste which might provide food for rodents and insects. If a container is used for storage pending collection, it shall be secure against entry by insects and rodents and shall be watertight.
K. 
No owner or occupant of a dwelling, dwelling unit or structure shall accumulate rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal or any other material in such a manner that may provide harborage or food for rodents in or about any dwelling, dwelling unit or structure.
L. 
No owner shall let for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit unless all exterior doors and all accessible windows, etc., of the dwelling or dwelling unit are equipped with safe, functioning locking devices.
No person shall operate a rooming house or shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any rooming unit in any rooming house except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, except the provisions of §§ 59-4, 59-8.
A. 
No person shall operate a rooming house unless he holds a valid rooming house permit issued by the Director of Public Health in the name of the operator and for the specific dwelling or dwelling unit. The operator shall apply to the Director of Public Health for such permit, which shall be issued by the Director of Public Health upon compliance by the operator with the applicable provisions of this chapter. This permit shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the rooming house at all times. No such permit shall be transferable. Every person holding such permit shall give notice in writing to the Director of Public Health within 24 hours after having sold, transferred, given away or otherwise disposed of ownership of, interest in or control of any rooming house. Such shall include the name and address of the person succeeding to the ownership or control of such rooming house. The Director of Public Health shall send a copy of the permits, suspensions, revocations or terminations to the Police Department. Every rooming house permit shall expire on the last day of January following its date of issuance, unless sooner suspended or revoked as hereinafter provided.
B. 
The application for a rooming house permit will be made on a form prescribed by the Director of Public Health in a quantity of copies as prescribed by the Director of Public Health and shall include the name and address of the applicant, the name and address of the premises to be used as such rooming house, the number of dwelling units included in such rooming house premises and any other information required by the Director of Public Health.
C. 
It shall be the duty of the Director of Public Health to issue a rooming house permit for every application which is favorably acted upon, and it shall also be his duty to keep a record of all permits so granted hereunder, and such permits shall contain the number and date of all permits, the name and residence of the person receiving such permit, the address of the premises so licensed and the date upon which any permit shall be revoked or suspended and the period of suspension. The fee for such permit shall be collected by the Director of Public Health on issuance of such permit. The Director of Public Health shall prepare and keep a detailed account of all his receipts for such permits and make return thereof to the City Treasurer at least once every six months.
[Amended 6-10-1980[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 57-5 of Ch. 57, Health and Sanitation, for current fee provisions.
D. 
Any person whose application for a permit to operate a rooming house has been denied may request in writing and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Code Enforcement Committee under the procedure provided by § 59-3 for the hearing of petitions relating to notices.
E. 
Whenever, upon inspection of any rooming house, the Director of Public Health finds that conditions or practices exist which are in violation of any provision of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, the Director of Public Health shall give notice in writing to the operator of such rooming house that, unless such conditions or practices are corrected within a reasonable period, to be determined by the Director of Public Health, the operator's rooming house permit will be suspended. At the end of such period the Health Officer shall reinspect such rooming house, and, if he finds that such conditions or practices have not been corrected, he shall give notice in writing to the operator that the latter's permit has been suspended. Upon receipt of notice of suspension, such operator shall immediately cease operation of such rooming house, and no person shall occupy for sleeping or living purposes any rooming unit therein.
F. 
Any person whose permit to operate a rooming house has been suspended, or who has received notice from the Director of Public Health that his permit is to be suspended unless existing conditions or practices at his rooming house are corrected, may request in writing and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Code Enforcement Committee under the procedure provided by § 59-3, provided that if no petition for such hearing is filed with 20 days following the day on which such permit was suspended, such permit shall be deemed to have been automatically revoked.
G. 
At least one flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower, properly connected to a water and approved sewage disposal system approved by the Director of Public Health and in good working condition shall be supplied for each six persons, or fraction thereof, residing within a rooming house, including members of the operator's family wherever they share the use of such facilities, provided that in a rooming house where rooms are let only to males, flush urinals may be substituted for not more than 1/2 the required number of water closets. All such facilities shall be so located within the dwelling as to be reasonably accessible from a common hall or passageway to all persons sharing such facilities. Every lavatory basin and bathtub or shower shall be supplied with hot water at all times in accordance with the provisions of § 59-4E. No such facilities shall be located in a basement, except by written approval of the Director of Public Health.
H. 
The operator of every rooming house shall provide bed linen and towels therein, and said linen and towels shall be changed at least once a week and prior to the letting of any room to any occupant. The operator shall be responsible to maintain all supplied bedding in a clean and sanitary manner.
I. 
Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one person shall contain at least 70 square feet of usable floor area as defined in § 59-7B, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain at least 50 square feet of usable floor area having a ceiling height of at least seven feet six inches as so defined for each additional occupant thereof.
J. 
A rooming unit may include a kitchenette, provided that the area of the unit is not less than a total of 120 square feet for one occupant and an additional 60 square feet for every additional occupant.
K. 
No meals may be prepared and eaten in a rooming house unless such meals are prepared and eaten in communal kitchens and dining rooms, or unless the rooming unit includes a kitchenette, and complies with the size requirements of § 59-9J.
L. 
A communal kitchen shall comply with the following standards:
(1) 
It shall contain at least 100 square feet of floor area in every case.
(2) 
It shall be supplied with one dining chair and two lineal feet of dining table space, in addition to the surface area for food preparation required under § 59-9L(6) below, for each occupant of the rooming house, the surface of each dining table to be smooth and easily cleanable.
(3) 
It shall contain at least one supplied kitchen sink of an approved type which shall be supplied with hot water at all times in accordance with the provision of § 59-4E.
(4) 
It shall contain at least one supplied kitchen gas stove or electric stove, every such stove to have at least two top burners and an oven.
(5) 
It shall contain one or more supplied electric or gas refrigerators with an adequate food storage capacity.
(6) 
It shall contain one or more supplied tables or other facilities having a total surface area for food preparation of not less than six square feet, the surface of each table or other facility to be suitable for the preparation of food, smooth and easily cleanable.
(7) 
It shall contain at least one supplied cabinet of adequate size for and suitable for storage of food and eating and cooking utensils assigned to each rooming unit.
(8) 
It shall be supplied by the operator with the rubbish storage facilities and the garbage disposal or storage facilities specified by § 59-4D.
(9) 
It shall be located within a room accessible to the occupant of each rooming unit sharing the use of such kitchen without going outside of the dwelling and without going through a dwelling unit or rooming unit of another occupant.
M. 
Every rooming unit shall have safe, unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, as required by the statutes, ordinances and regulations of this state and this city.
N. 
The operator of every rooming house shall be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of all walls, floors and ceilings and for the maintenance of a sanitary condition in every other part of the rooming house; and he shall further be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of the entire premises where the entire structure or building is leased or occupied by the operator.
O. 
Provisions of this chapter which apply to rooming houses shall also apply to hotels and motels.
P. 
The operator of every rooming house shall be responsible for maintaining a register of occupants which shall be available for inspection upon the request of the Director of Public Health or the Chief of Police or their duly authorized representatives. Failure to maintain or produce such register to such authorities will result in immediate suspension or revocation of the operator's rooming house permit.
The designation of dwellings or dwelling units as unfit for human habitation and the procedure for the condemnation and placarding of such unfit dwelling or dwelling units shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements:
A. 
Any dwelling or dwelling unit which shall be found to have any of the following defects shall be condemned as unfit for human habitation and shall be so designated and placarded by the Director of Public Health:
(1) 
One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.
(2) 
One which lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or of the public as prescribed by the provisions of this chapter.
(3) 
One which because of its general condition or location is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.
B. 
Any dwelling or dwelling unit condemned as unfit for human habitation and so designated and placarded by the Director of Public Health shall be vacated within the time ordered by the Department of Public Health, not to exceed 30 days.
C. 
No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from and such placard is removed by the Director of Public Health. The Director of Public Health shall remove such placard whenever the defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated.
D. 
No person shall deface or remove the placard from any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation and placarded as such, except as provided in § 59-10C.
E. 
Any person affected by any notice or order relating to the condemning and placarding of a dwelling or dwelling unit as unfit for human habitation may request in writing and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Code Enforcement Committee under the procedure provided by § 59-3.
A. 
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $99 or by imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or by both, and each day's failure to comply with any such provision shall constitute a separate violation.
[Amended 2-11-1986]
B. 
The Clerk of the city, district or circuit court shall notify the Director of Public Health of any final conviction of any rooming house operator, and the Director of Public Health shall forthwith revoke the permit of such rooming house operator, and no new permit shall be issued within one year from the date of such conviction.
[Amended 4-24-1984]
A. 
In any case where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning, health ordinance or code of this city, existing on the effective date of this chapter, the provision which established the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the health, environment and safety of the people shall prevail.
B. 
In any case where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with a provision of the State Building Code, State Fire Safety Code or the General Statutes of Connecticut, the provisions of the State Building or Fire Safety Code shall prevail. Where such codes are in conflict with the Connecticut General Statutes, then the statutes shall take precedence over all codes.
A. 
The Planning Commission shall study from time to time the quality of the housing within the city and shall certify to the Director of Public Health those areas of the city in which substandard housing exists or in which there is an imminent danger of existing housing becoming substandard.
B. 
In the program of enforcement of this chapter, the Director of Public Health shall give priority to those areas which have been certified to him by the Planning Commission as directed in § 59-13A, and provided that the Director of Public Health shall not be limited to such areas in the program of enforcement.
C. 
Within 30 days after the effective date of this chapter, the Planning Commission shall certify to the Director of Public Health the first of such priority areas. The Planning Commission shall certify additional priority areas from time to time upon written request from the Director of Public Health and within 30 days of the receipt of such request. The Planning Commission shall have the power to change, alter or modify the designation of such priority areas.
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 the Director of Public Health has issued a written permit certifying that the plans and specifications for such work indicate that the provisions of this chapter will be complied with. Such permit shall be issued without a fee and shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of any permits for such work by the Building Department.