Bloomfield, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-35
Lighting standards
Operative Text
(a) Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors, provided that, if connected to a room or area used seasonally (e.g. porch), then adequate daylight must be possible through this interconnection; have a minimum total window area, measured between stops, at least twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of the floor area of such room; whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any such room and such light-obstruction structures are located less than three (3) feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area; and whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of such room, the total window area of such skylight shall equal at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total floor area of such room. (b) Every bathroom and water closet compartment and non-habitable room used for food preparation shall comply with the light standards for habitable rooms contained in this Code, except that no window or skylight shall be required in such rooms if they are equipped with a ventilation system in working condition which is approved by the director of health. (c) Every public hall and stairway in every multiple dwelling shall be adequately lighted by natural or artificial light at all times, so as to provide in all parts thereof at least ten (10) footcandles of light at the tread of floor level. Every public hall and stairway in structures containing not more than two (2) 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. (d) Every exterior entrance and porch shall be adequately lighted by natural or artificial light at all times, so as to provide all parts thereof at least three (3) footcandles of light at the tread of floor level, provided that for two-unit dwellings, such lighting may be controlled by switches and turned off when not in use.
Bloomfield Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. V § 12-35 establishes minimum lighting standards for residential spaces. Every habitable room must have a window or skylight providing natural light equal to at least 12.5% of the floor area, with stricter rules applying when skylights are the sole source. Common areas such as hallways, stairways, exterior entrances, and porches must maintain specified footcandle levels of illumination at all times, though smaller two-unit dwellings have some flexibility to use switch-controlled lighting instead of continuous lighting.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Bloomfield should ensure that every habitable room meets the window-area thresholds set out in § 12-35, including verifying that no obstructing structure within three feet of a window voids its contribution to the required area. Bathrooms and food-preparation rooms without windows must have an approved, functioning ventilation system on file with the director of health. Common hallways, stairways, and exterior entrances should be routinely checked to confirm they meet the footcandle minimums—10 footcandles for interior common areas and 3 footcandles for exterior entrances—with switch-controlled systems permitted only in qualifying two-unit structures.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Bloomfield Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. V § 12-35, tenants have a right to habitable rooms with adequate natural light and to common areas, stairways, and entrances that are properly illuminated at all times. If a unit's windows are blocked by a nearby structure, fall below the required area percentage, or common areas are persistently dark, these conditions may constitute a code violation. Tenants who believe their dwelling does not meet these lighting standards can document the conditions, raise the issue with their landlord in writing, or contact the appropriate Bloomfield municipal code enforcement office to request an inspection.
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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