Bethel, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 63 (2026) § 63-3
Responsibilities of owners and occupants (Bethel Housing Standards, Rental Unit)
Operative Text
A. No owner or other person shall let to another person any vacant dwelling or dwelling unit unless said 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 Town of Bethel. B. Every owner of a dwelling containing two or more dwelling units shall maintain in a clean and sanitary condition the shared or public areas of the dwelling and premises thereof. C. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall maintain in a clean and sanitary condition that part or those parts of the dwelling, dwelling unit and premises thereof that he occupies and controls. D. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall store and dispose of all his rubbish in a clean, sanitary and safe manner. E. 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. F. Every owner of a dwelling containing three or more dwelling units shall supply facilities or containers for the sanitary and safe storage and/or disposal of rubbish and garbage by the occupant of said dwelling unit. In the case of single- or two-family dwellings it shall be the responsibility of the occupant to furnish such facilities or containers. G. 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, maintenance or replacement of screens, storm doors and windows, once installed in any one season, become the responsibility of the occupant. See § 63-5 for areas required. H. 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. 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 reasonable 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. I. Every occupant of a dwelling unit or structure shall keep all plumbing fixtures and facilities therein in a clean, operable and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation thereof. J. 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 a rodent harborage or rodent food in or about any dwelling, dwelling unit or structure.
Bethel, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 63 § 63-3 establishes shared responsibility between owners and occupants for maintaining safe, sanitary housing. Owners must ensure vacant units are fit for occupancy before renting, keep shared areas clean in multi-unit buildings, supply waste containers in buildings with three or more units, and handle pest extermination when infestations are widespread or caused by structural failures. Occupants are generally responsible for cleanliness within their own units, proper waste disposal, and pest control when only their unit is affected.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 63-3, compliant property owners ensure that any vacant unit meets all state and local habitability standards before it is rented. Owners of buildings with two or more units keep shared and common areas clean and sanitary, and those with three or more units supply appropriate waste storage and disposal containers. Owners also address pest extermination when infestations span multiple units or stem from the building's structural condition, and they provide and install required screens, storm doors, and windows unless a written agreement shifts that duty to the occupant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 63-3 requires occupants to keep their own unit and any areas they control clean and sanitary, store and dispose of rubbish and garbage safely, and handle pest extermination when only their unit is affected. Tenants in single-family dwellings are also responsible for supplying their own waste containers. If an owner appears to be failing their obligations under § 63-3—such as neglecting common areas or refusing to address a building-wide infestation—tenants may consider contacting the Town of Bethel's code enforcement office or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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