Ansonia, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 13 § 13-14
Light, ventilation and heating generally
Operative Text
No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit 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 total window area measured between stops shall be at least ten percent of the floor area of each habitable room; except, that when the only window in a room is a skylight type window the total area of such skylight shall equal at least fifteen percent of the floor area. (b) Every habitable room shall have at least one easily opened window or skylight with a total openable window area of at least forty-five percent of the minimum window size required in subsection (a) except where there is a mechanical ventilating device provided, of a type approved by the health officer. (c) Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilating requirements for habitable rooms contained in subsections (a) and (b); except, that no window or skylight shall be required in a bathroom or water closet compartment which is equipped with a mechanical ventilating system approved by the health officer. (d) In all habitable rooms of dwellings, dwelling units and rooming houses located within three hundred feet of available power lines there shall be supplied at least two separate floor or wall type electric convenience outlets, or one such convenience type outlet and one ceiling or wall type electric light fixture. In every water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hall there shall be supplied at least one ceiling or wall type electric light fixture. (e) In every dwelling, dwelling unit and rooming house there shall be supplied heating facilities which are capable of safely heating every habitable room, bathroom and water closet compartment to a temperature of at least seventy degrees Fahrenheit, at a distance three feet above floor level, under ordinary minimum winter conditions, as defined in section 13-1 . (f) Every dwelling unit shall have one or more means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, as required by the laws of this state and this city.
Ansonia Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. I § 13-14 establishes baseline habitability standards for dwellings, dwelling units, and rooming units. Every habitable room must meet specific minimums for natural light (window or skylight area equal to at least 10% of floor area), ventilation (openable area at least 45% of the required window size, or an approved mechanical system), electrical outlets, and heating capable of reaching at least 70°F under ordinary winter conditions. Bathrooms and water closet compartments have parallel light and ventilation requirements, and every dwelling unit must have at least one means of egress to safe, open ground-level space.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Ansonia Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. I § 13-14 generally ensure that each habitable room contains windows or skylights meeting the prescribed area ratios and that those openings are easily operable—or that an approved mechanical ventilation system is in place. Compliant properties also provide the required number of electrical outlets or fixtures in each room type and maintain heating systems capable of sustaining 70°F at three feet above floor level throughout the winter season. Routine inspections of egress paths, ventilation equipment approvals from the health officer, and documentation of heating system capacity are practices commonly associated with ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Ansonia Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. I § 13-14, tenants have a right to occupy units that meet minimum standards for light, ventilation, electrical service, heating, and safe egress. If a unit appears to fall short—for example, rooms lacking adequate windows, insufficient heat during winter, or blocked egress—tenants may document the conditions and report them to the local housing or health authority responsible for enforcing this provision. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Ansonia's housing code can help residents understand the range of options available, which may include filing a formal complaint or raising a code violation as a defense in certain legal proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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