Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-103
Electric facilities and equipment
Operative Text
(a) Every dwelling, and all public and common areas of dwellings, shall be supplied with electrical service, outlets and fixtures. Electrical services, outlets and fixtures shall be maintained in working order, properly installed and shall be connected to a utility supplied energy source. (b) Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with at least one (1) fifteen (15) ampere branch circuit. This circuit shall not serve more than one (1) dwelling unit. Additional circuits may be required to be installed at the discretion of the director of health after consultation with the electrical inspector of the city. (c) Every habitable room shall contain at least two (2) separate wall type duplex receptacle convenience outlets or one (1) duplex receptacle and one (1) wall or ceiling type light fixture. No duplex receptacle outlet shall serve more than two (2) electrical utilization devices. (d) Temporary wiring or extension cords shall not be used as permanent wiring. (e) All nonhabitable rooms, including furnace rooms, basements, public halls and like areas, shall contain at least one (1) ceiling or wall type electric light fixture. All bathrooms and laundry rooms shall be provided with one (1) duplex electric outlet. All kitchens shall be supplied with at least two (2) duplex electric outlets, one (1) of which shall supply the countertop surfaces. (f) All electric light fixtures shall be controlled by switches.
Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. VI § 12-103 establishes minimum electrical standards for all dwellings and their common areas. Every dwelling unit must have at least one 15-ampere branch circuit dedicated solely to that unit, and each habitable room must have at least two duplex receptacle outlets or one outlet paired with a light fixture. The provision also prohibits the use of temporary wiring or extension cords as permanent wiring, and sets specific outlet and fixture requirements for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and non-habitable spaces such as basements and hallways.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. VI § 12-103, compliant property operators ensure that all electrical service, outlets, and fixtures throughout their dwellings and common areas are properly installed, connected to a utility-supplied energy source, and kept in working order. Operators generally verify that each dwelling unit has its own dedicated 15-ampere branch circuit, that habitable rooms meet the minimum outlet and fixture counts, and that kitchens are equipped with at least two duplex outlets including one serving countertop surfaces. Operators also take care that no temporary wiring or extension cords are used in place of permanent wiring, and that all non-habitable areas, bathrooms, and laundry rooms meet their respective fixture and outlet requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. VI § 12-103 gives tenants the right to housing with adequate, properly maintained electrical service throughout their unit and all common areas. If outlets are non-functional, wiring appears temporary or makeshift, or rooms lack the required number of outlets or fixtures, these conditions may constitute violations of this provision. Tenants who believe their housing falls short of these standards can document the conditions, raise the issue with their landlord in writing, file a complaint with the city's health or housing department, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on 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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