Bridgeport, Conn., Mun. Code §§ 15.12, 15.28 § 15.12.310
Rooming houses and hotels—Health code (Bridgeport Housing Code)
Operative Text
A. Rooming Houses. Each rooming house, class I and rooming house, class II operator shall observe and comply with the following standards in the maintenance of the rooming house operated by him: 1. Size of Sleeping Rooms. The sleeping room occupied by each roomer shall contain not less than one hundred (100) square feet in single occupancy rooms and not less than seventy-five (75) square feet per person for multiple occupancy rooms. Each room shall, for at least seventy-five (75) percent of its area, be not less than seven feet eight inches high from the finished floor to the finished ceiling, except attic rooms which shall be at least seven feet four inches high in one-half of its area. 2. Toilet Facilities. The toilet facilities for each room shall be adequate and there shall be a lavatory and bath or shower with running hot and cold water at all times, and a toilet with cold running water at all times, and at least one such facility for each ten persons or fraction thereof using such facilities. The shower shall have a shower curtain in good repair or the shower area shall be glass enclosed. A tub mat, safety strips or a built-in slip-resistant tub shall be supplied. 3. Rubbish and Garbage Containers. There shall be an adequate number of approved rubbish and garbage containers to provide for the needs of all roomers. 4. Window Space. Each room used for sleeping purposes shall contain at least one outside window of at least eight square feet which shall be so constructed that at least one-half opens readily. 5. Accumulation of Refuse and Rubbish. Refuse and rubbish shall not be suffered to accumulate in or on any portion of the premises used as a rooming house but shall be kept in approved receptacles and containers. 6. Rodent and Vermin Infestation, etc. The entire premises constituting the rooming house shall be kept free of rodent and vermin infestation. 7. Locks. All rooming units shall have operating locks to ensure privacy. 8. Linens. The operator of every rooming house shall change supplied bed linen at least once a week and prior to the letting of any room to any occupant. 9. General Powers. In addition to the specific terms of this chapter, the housing code enforcement officer shall have the power to order the rectification of any condition or situation in any rooming house licensed under this chapter which, in his opinion is detrimental or dangerous to life and public safety. B. Hotels. Each hotel operator shall observe and comply with the following standards in the maintenance of the premises operated by him: 1. Size of Sleeping Rooms. The sleeping room occupied by each occupant shall contain not less than one hundred (100) square feet in single occupancy rooms and not less than seventy-five (75) square feet per person for multiple occupancy rooms. Each room shall, for at least seventy-five (75) percent of its area, be not less than seven feet eight inches high from the finished floor to the finished ceiling, except attic rooms which shall be at least seven feet four inches high in one-half of its area. 2. Toilet Facilities. The toilet facilities for each room shall be adequate and there shall be a lavatory and bath or shower with running hot and cold water and a toilet with cold running water at all times and at least one such facility for each ten persons or fraction thereof using each facility. The shower shall have a shower curtain in good repair or the shower area should be glass enclosed. A tub mat, safety strips or a built-in slip-resistant tub shall be supplied. 3. Window Space. Each room used for sleeping purposes shall contain at least one outside window of not less than eight square feet which shall be so constructed that at least one-half opens readily. 4. Exterior and Interior Physical Condition. Furniture, walls, ceilings, lighting, drapes, venetian blinds, carpets, floors, elevators, windows and wall decorations shall be clean and neat and in good physical repair. Stairways, walk-ways and lobbies shall be clean and uncluttered. Refuse and rubbish shall not be allowed to accumulate in or on any portion of the premises used as a hotel but shall be kept in approved receptacles and containers. 5. Guest Room Supplies. Drinking glasses, where supplied, should be sanitized in accordance with state and local ordinances. A waste basket will be provided in every room. Soap and toilet tissues are to be supplied in sufficient quantity. A fresh supply of soap is to be provided with each new occupant. Towels and wash cloths that have been used shall be replaced daily. Bed linens, pillows, mattresses, mattress pads, box springs, springs and frames shall be clean, in good repair and free of stains and foreign matter. Clean bed linens shall be supplied at least once a week and prior to the letting of any room to any occupant. 6. Mechanical Room and Storage Areas. Ceilings, walls, pipes, pumps, heating and air-conditioning equipment should all be neat and clean, well-painted and in good repair. Floors must be clean, uncluttered and free of safety hazards. 7. Food and Drink Vending Machines. Where supplied to hotel guests, vending machines shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner. All refrigerated drinking fountains shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. All ice machines shall be supplied with scoops and tongs. 8. Restaurants. All restaurant facilities are to comply with the state public health code and city ordinances. Restaurant facilities must have a separate identity from hotel living quarters and are to be licensed by the city's health department. 9. Swimming Pools. All swimming pools shall comply with all state public health codes and city ordinances. 10. Rodent and Vermin Infestation, etc. The entire premises constituting the hotel shall be kept free of rodent and vermin infestation. 11. Locks. All hotel rooms shall have operating locks to ensure privacy. 12. General Powers. In addition to the specific terms of this chapter, the housing code enforcement officer shall have the power to order the rectification of any condition or situation in any hotel licensed under this chapter, which, in his opinion, is detrimental or dangerous to life and public safety.
Bridgeport, Conn., Mun. Code §§ 15.12, 15.28 § 15.12.310 establishes a comprehensive set of health and safety standards that operators of rooming houses (Class I and Class II) and hotels must meet in their day-to-day maintenance. The standards cover minimum room sizes, toilet facility ratios, ventilation through operable windows, pest control, waste management, locks for privacy, and linen hygiene, among other requirements. A housing code enforcement officer holds broad authority to order corrections to any condition deemed dangerous or detrimental to life and public safety, beyond the specific items listed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses and hotels subject to Bridgeport, Conn., Mun. Code §§ 15.12, 15.28 § 15.12.310 generally maintain compliance by ensuring sleeping rooms meet the prescribed minimum square footage and ceiling-height thresholds, keeping toilet facilities functional and properly rationed to occupants, and supplying fresh linens at least weekly and before each new occupant. Compliant operators also keep premises free of rodents and vermin, maintain operable window openings of at least eight square feet in sleeping rooms, and ensure all room locks are in working order. Because the housing code enforcement officer can issue correction orders beyond the enumerated standards, operators benefit from conducting regular internal inspections across all areas of the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents and guests in Bridgeport rooming houses and hotels are protected by the minimum habitability standards set out in Bridgeport, Conn., Mun. Code §§ 15.12, 15.28 § 15.12.310, which include rights to adequate space, functioning toilet facilities with hot and cold running water, pest-free premises, working locks, and regular linen changes. If these conditions are not being met, occupants may consider documenting the deficiencies and reporting them to Bridgeport's housing code enforcement office, which has authority to order operators to correct unsafe or dangerous conditions. Tenant-rights organizations in Connecticut can also provide general information about available complaint processes and other options for addressing habitability concerns.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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