[Amended 2-13-2019]
The purpose of this Housing Code is to ensure
safe, sanitary and decent housing within the Town of Farmington, thereby
fulfilling the Town's responsibility for providing for the health,
safety and welfare of its inhabitants. The Housing Code, together
with the Zoning Regulations, the Building Code[1], and Connecticut Public Health Code, are basic elements
of a comprehensive program for protecting residential neighborhoods.
[Amended 2-13-2019]
The Housing Code establishes minimum standards
for the condition and facilities of rental dwellings or other dwelling
structures. It requires, among other things, a kitchen sink, a complete
bathroom unit, hot and cold running water and either central-heating
or space-heating equipment of a prescribed capacity. It includes minimum
standards in electrical service, window space and ventilation and
the general upkeep and structural condition of the dwelling. It prescribes
responsibilities of owners and occupants for maintaining the premises
in a clean and sanitary condition.
[Amended 7-28-1992; 2-13-2019]
The Farmington Valley Health District and/or
Public Works Department shall administer the Housing Code. The applicable
department is authorized to inspect all rental dwelling or other dwelling
structures and to order any repairs or additional facilities necessary
to meet code standards. The applicable department is authorized to
condemn dwellings that are unfit for human habitation and, in that
situation, the owner of the condemned building must comply with the
minimum standards or cease using said building for dwelling purposes.
An appeal from a decision of the FVHD or Public Works Department may
be taken to the Code Enforcement Committee.
A.
BASEMENT
BUILDING OFFICIAL
CELLAR
DWELLING
DWELLING UNIT
EXTERMINATION
FARMINGTON VALLEY DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (FARMINGTON
VALLEY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR FVHD)
FIRE MARSHAL
GARBAGE
HABITABLE ROOM
INFESTATION
MULTIPLE DWELLING
OCCUPANT
OPERATOR
OWNER
(1)
(2)
PERSON
PLUMBING
RENTAL DWELLING
ROOMING HOUSE
ROOMING UNIT
RUBBISH
SUPPLIED
TEMPORARY HOUSING
TOWN ENGINEER
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this chapter:
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.
The legally designated Building Official of the Town of Farmington
or his designated assistant.
A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground
and having 1/2 or more than 1/2 of its clear floor-to-ceiling height
below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
Any building which is used or intended to be used, in whole
or in part, for living or sleeping by human occupants, provided that
temporary housing, as hereinafter defined, shall not be regarded as
a dwelling. The term specifically refers to owner-occupied.
[Amended 2-13-2019]
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.
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 FVHD and the State Department
of Health Services.
[Amended 7-28-1992]
The legally designated health authority of the Town of Farmington.
[Amended 7-28-1992]
The legally designated Fire Marshal of the Town of Farmington
or his designated assistant.
The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling,
preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
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, hallways,
closets, recreation rooms (but not excluding living rooms), private
workshops or hobby rooms and storage spaces.
The presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects,
rodents or other pests.
Any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units.
Any person living, sleeping, cooking or eating in or having
actual possession of a dwelling unit or rooming unit.
Any person who has charge, care or control of a building
or part thereof in which dwelling units or rooming units are let.
Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others:
Shall have legal title to any dwelling or dwelling
unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or
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 chapter and of rules
and regulations adopted pursuant thereto to the same extent as if
he were the owner.
Includes any individual, firm, corporation, association or
partnership.
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,
bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes-washing machines, catch
basins, drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together
with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
Any building which is used or intended to be used, in whole
or in part, for living or sleeping by human occupants, provided that
temporary housing, as hereinafter defined, shall not be regarded as
a dwelling. This term specifically refers to tenant-occupied units.
[Added 2-13-2019]
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 more than three persons who are not the 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 Services shall not be regarded
as rooming houses or as subject to the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 7-28-1992]
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.
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage,
and the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coke
or other combustible material, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood,
excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans,
metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust or other items as
specified by the FVHD.
Paid for, furnished or provided by or under the control of
the owner or operator.
Any tent, trailer or similar structure which is used for
human shelter.
The legally designated Town Engineer of the Town of Farmington
or his designated assistant.
B.
Meaning of certain words. Whenever the words "dwelling,"
"dwelling unit," "rooming house," "rooming unit," and "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 pronoun.
