Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-62
Space and density standards
Operative Text
(a) Maximum permissible occupancy. (1) The maximum permissible occupancy of any dwelling unit shall be equal to or less than the number of the habitable rooms within the dwelling unit. For the purposes of this subsection, a person one (1) year of age or younger shall not be considered an occupant. (2) For the purposes of this code and the designation described in sections 12-137 (a) and 12-140 of this code, violation of this standard is hereby declared to be an immediate hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the occupants and the general public. (b) In every dwelling unit of two (2) or more rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one (1) occupant shall contain at least seventy (70) square feet of floor space for the first occupant, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one (1) occupant shall contain at least fifty (50) square feet of floor space for each additional occupant thereof. (c) The ceiling height of any habitable room shall be at least seven (7) feet, except that in any habitable room under a sloping ceiling, at least one-half (½) of the floor area shall have a ceiling height of at least seven (7) feet, and the floor area of that part of the room where the ceiling height is less than five (5) feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy.
Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. IV § 12-62 establishes minimum space requirements for residential dwelling units. The number of occupants in any unit may not exceed the number of habitable rooms, infants one year old or younger are excluded from that count, and sleeping rooms must meet specific square-footage thresholds per occupant. Ceiling heights must reach at least seven feet in habitable rooms, with special rules for sloped ceilings that limit how low-clearance areas are counted toward usable floor space. A violation of the occupancy standard is formally classified as an immediate hazard to health, safety, and public welfare.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Bristol must ensure that each dwelling unit covered by § 12-62 is not occupied by more people than there are habitable rooms, and that every sleeping room provides at least 70 square feet for a single occupant and at least 50 additional square feet for each additional occupant. Compliant operators also verify that habitable rooms meet the seven-foot ceiling-height requirement and correctly calculate usable floor area by excluding portions where the ceiling drops below five feet. Because a violation of the occupancy standard under § 12-62 is designated an immediate hazard, property managers generally keep occupancy records and conduct periodic inspections to confirm ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. IV § 12-62, tenants have a right to live in a unit that meets minimum space and occupancy standards, including adequate square footage in sleeping rooms and proper ceiling heights. If a unit appears to be overcrowded beyond the habitable-room limit, or if sleeping areas fall short of the required floor space, tenants may consider reporting the conditions to the local code enforcement or housing authority, which has authority to investigate and act on violations designated as immediate hazards. Tenants facing housing-related concerns under § 12-62 may also find it useful to contact a local tenant-rights organization for general information about 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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation