East Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances app. A § I

The following general provisions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this ordinance:
1.01 Legislative finding. It is hereby found that premises exist within the Town of East Haven which are blighted because there exists thereon blighted buildings, or other structures, either occupied or unoccupied by human beings, and such buildings or other structures are blighted because of faulty design or construction, or failure to keep them in a proper state of repair, or lack of proper sanitary facilities, or lack of adequate lighting or ventilation, or inability to properly heat or cool or improper management, or any combination of these factors has resulted in such buildings or structures becoming so deteriorated, so dilapidated, so neglected, so overcrowded with occupants, or so insanitary as to jeopardize or be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, or welfare of the people of the Town of East Haven. It is hereby further found that such blighted premises and such blighted buildings or other structures contribute to the development of, or increase in physical, mental or social ill-health or disease, and mortality, crime and juvenile delinquency. It is hereby further found that conditions existing on such blighted premises are dangerous to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the people; and that conditions existing on such blighted premises necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditure of public funds for public health, public safety, crime prevention, fire protection and other public services; that the conditions existing on such blighted premises cause a drain upon public revenue and impair the efficient and economical exercise of governmental function in such areas. It is hereby further found that the elimination of blighted premises and the prevention of occurrence of blighted premises in the future is in the best interests of the public. The accomplishment of this end will be fostered and encouraged by the enactment and enforcement of this ordinance. The enactment and enforcement of this ordinance is hereby declared to be essential to the public interest.
1.02 Purposes. It is hereby declared that the purpose of this ordinance is to protect, preserve, and promote the physical and mental health and social well-being of the people, to prevent, investigate and control incidences of communicable diseases, to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health, and to protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare by legislation which shall be applicable to all dwellings now in existence or hereafter constructed. It is hereby further declared that the purpose of this ordinance is to: (1) establish minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, heating and cooling, for safety from fire and accidents, for the use and location and amount of space for human occupancy, and for sale and sanitary maintenance; (2) determine the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupations of dwellings; and (3) provide for the administration and enforcement thereof.
1.03 Applicability. Every portion of a building or its premises used or intended to be used for the purpose of dwellings, living, eating, sleeping, or cooking therein or occupancy, shall comply with the provisions of this ordinance and with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto irrespective of when such building shall have been constructed, altered, or repaired, and irrespective of any permits or licenses which shall have been issued for the use or occupancy of the dwelling and dwelling premises or structure, for the construction or repair of the dwelling or structure, for the installation or repair of dwelling equipment prior to the effective date of this ordinance.
1.04 Application of building code. Any alterations to buildings or changes of use therein, which may be caused directly or indirectly by enforcement of this code, shall be done in accordance with applicable sections of the building code of the Town of East Haven.
1.05 Application of zoning regulations. Nothing in this code shall permit the establishment or conversion of a multi-family dwelling in any zone except where permitted by the zoning regulations of the Town of East Haven; nor shall this code permit continuation of such non-conforming use in any zone except as provided in said zoning regulations.
1.06 Delegation of authority. Administration and enforcement of this ordinance is hereby entrusted to the Housing Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of East Haven or his duly authorized representative.
1.07 Title. This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the Housing Code of the Town of East Haven.