Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-40
Means of egress
Operative Text
(a) Every dwelling unit shall have at least two (2) means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level. One (1) means of egress must be at ground level. Every dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling shall have immediate access to two (2) or more means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, approved by the director of health as adequately meeting the purposes of this section, provided that any dwelling unit in existence and not in compliance with this subsection on the effective date of this chapter shall be brought into compliance not later than January 1, 2007, unless granted a variance or extension of time for compliance in accordance with section 12-139 of this Code. (b) Each room to be used for sleeping purposes and located below the fourth floor shall have at least two (2) means of egress from said room. One (1) means of egress shall be a door or window leading directly to the outdoors. Any egress window must be in compliance with all state fire and building codes and regulations. (c) Egress from each dwelling unit shall be provided without passing through any other dwelling unit. (d) All doors and windows intended to provide the means of egress required by this section shall be openable from the inner side without the use of keys. (e) All routes of egress shall be free of obstruction of any kind which would hinder, delay or prevent use of said means of egress.
Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. III § 12-40 establishes minimum egress requirements for dwelling units, ensuring residents have at least two ways to reach safe, open ground-level space in an emergency. Sleeping rooms below the fourth floor must each have two exits, one of which must lead directly outdoors, and all egress doors and windows must be openable from the inside without a key. Egress paths must remain unobstructed and must not require passing through another dwelling unit to reach safety.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. III § 12-40, compliant property operators generally ensure that every dwelling unit has at least two approved egress routes to ground level, with one route at ground level, and that sleeping rooms below the fourth floor each have a door or window leading directly outdoors as one of two required exits. Operators also verify that all egress windows meet applicable state fire and building codes, that no egress path passes through another unit, and that all egress doors and windows can be opened from the inside without a key. Keeping all egress routes free of any obstruction at all times is a core ongoing maintenance obligation under this section.
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. III § 12-40 gives occupants the right to at least two unobstructed ways out of their dwelling unit leading to safe, open ground-level space, as well as two exits from any sleeping room below the fourth floor, one of which must open directly to the outdoors. All egress doors and windows must be operable from the inside without a key, and no egress route should require passing through a neighbor's unit. Tenants who believe these requirements are not being met may consider documenting the conditions, raising the issue in writing with their landlord, or contacting Bristol's director of health, who is referenced in § 12-40 as the approving authority for egress compliance.
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 In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation