Bloomfield, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-32.5
Rooming houses
Operative Text
No person shall operate a rooming house, or shall occupy, or let to another for occupancy, any rooming house except in compliance with the provisions of sections 12-1 through 12-79 of this article. No vacant rooming unit shall be occupied or let unless it is clean, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy and shall otherwise be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Town of Bloomfield. (1) No person shall operate a rooming house unless he holds a valid rooming house license issued by the director of health in the name of the operator and for the said dwelling or dwelling unit as specified in such license. The operator shall apply to the director of health for such license, which shall be issued by the director of health only after determining that said rooming house is in compliance with the applicable provisions of this article and with any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. This license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the rooming house at all times. No such license shall be transferable. Acceptance of such license by the operator of such rooming house shall serve as authorization by the operator for the enforcement officer to make any and all of such inspection or reinspection as the enforcement officer shall find to be necessary to determine the condition of the rooming units consistent with the enforcement of the provisions of this article. Such entry, examination and survey shall be between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or at such time as shall be reasonable. Every person holding such license shall give notice in writing to the director of health within twenty-four (24) hours after having sold, transferred, given away or otherwise disposed of ownership of, interest in or control of any rooming house. Such written notice shall include the name and address of the person succeeding to the ownership, interest in or control of such rooming house. Every rooming house license shall expire at the end of the year following its date of issuance unless it is earlier suspended or revoked as hereinafter provided. (2) At least one flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower that is properly connected to a water and sewer system or septic system, approved by the director of health, and in good working condition, shall be supplied for each six (6) persons, or fraction thereof, residing within a rooming house, including members of the operator's family wherever they share the use of said facilities. It is further provided: a. That 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. b. That no such facilities shall be located in a basement, except by written approval of the director of health. c. That in a rooming house where rooms are let only to males flush urinals may be substituted for not more than one-half (½) the required number of water closets. d. That every lavatory basin and bathtub or shower shall be supplied with heated and unheated water under pressure at all times. e. That cooking in a rooming unit and/or dormitory rooms shall be prohibited. f. That communal cooking and dining facilities in a rooming house shall be prohibited, except as approved by the director of health in writing. g. That rooming unit doors shall have operating locks to insure privacy. (3) That the operator of every rooming house shall change supplied bed linen and towels therein at least once each week, and prior to the letting of any room to any occupant. The operator shall be responsible for the clean and sanitary maintenance of all supplied bedding. (4) Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one person shall contain at least eighty (80) square feet of floor space. Every room occupied for sleeping by more than one person shall contain at least sixty (60) square feet of floor space for each occupant thereof. Each such room shall also contain for each occupant not less than four (4) square feet of closet space with an unobstructed height of at least five (5) feet. If such closet space is lacking, an amount of space equal in square footage to the size of any deficiency in closet space shall be subtracted from the area of habitable room, to be used by the director of health in determining the number of persons by whom occupancy is permissible. a. Every window of every rooming unit shall be supplied with shades, draw drapes or other devices or material which, when properly used, will afford privacy to the occupant of the rooming unit. (5) Every rooming unit shall have one or more safe, unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, as required by the laws of the State of Connecticut and Town of Bloomfield. (6) Every provision of this section which applies to rooming houses shall also apply to hotels, motels, dormitories, and clubs, except to the extent that any such provisions may be found in conflict with the laws of the State of Connecticut or Town of Bloomfield. (7) Access to or egress from each rooming unit shall be provided without passing through any other rooming unit or dwelling unit.
Bloomfield Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. IV § 12-32.5 establishes comprehensive operating standards for rooming houses within the Town of Bloomfield. The rule requires that rooming houses be licensed by the director of health, meet specific sanitation and habitability standards—including minimum floor space, adequate bathroom facilities, and safe egress—and that vacant units be clean and fit for occupancy before anyone moves in. The provision also extends these same requirements to hotels, motels, dormitories, and clubs operating within the town.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bloomfield Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. IV § 12-32.5, operators of rooming houses generally maintain a valid license issued by the director of health, display it conspicuously on the premises at all times, and notify the director in writing within 24 hours of any change in ownership or control. Compliant operators ensure that bathroom facilities meet the prescribed ratios, that sleeping rooms satisfy minimum square footage requirements, and that bed linens and towels are changed at least weekly and before each new occupant. Accepting the license also constitutes consent for the enforcement officer to conduct inspections between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to verify ongoing compliance with the article's provisions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bloomfield Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. IV § 12-32.5 provides rooming house occupants with a range of baseline protections, including the right to a clean and sanitary unit before move-in, a minimum amount of floor and closet space, privacy locks on room doors, and access to adequate bathroom facilities. Tenants also have the right to egress from their unit without passing through another occupant's room, and to at least one safe means of exit to open ground-level space. Those who believe these standards are not being met may consider contacting the Town of Bloomfield's director of health, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or exploring whether a violation of this section can be raised in a relevant legal proceeding.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.