Enfield, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. III § 14-91
Maintenance of structural elements
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling or multifamily dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, or portion thereof for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements: (1) Accessory structure. All accessory structures including detached garages shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. (2) Foundations, walls, floors and ceilings. Every foundation, floor, ceiling, wall, chimney and all exterior surfaces shall be maintained in a workmanlike state of maintenance and repair and shall be kept in such condition as to be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof; and shall be capable of affording privacy. (3) Foundation support. The foundation elements shall be maintained so as to adequately support the building at all points. (4) Roofs. The roof shall be structurally sound, tight, and have no defects which might admit rain; and roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rain water from causing dampness in the walls or interior portion of the building. (5) Windows and doors. Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight and rodentproof and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair. (6) Stairs and porches. Every inside and outside stair, every porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. (7) Door and window hardware. Every exterior door and every window shall be supplied with an interior lock and shall be maintained in good condition. (8) Exit doors. Every door available as an exit shall be capable of being opened from the inside, easily and without use of key. (9) Screening. Guards and screens shall be supplied for protection against rodents and insects in accordance with the following requirements: a. Guards for basement windows. Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation, and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents or other pests, shall be supplied with a screen or such other device as will effectively prevent their entrance. b. Insect screens. From June first to October fifteenth of each year, every door opening directly from any dwelling to the outside, and every window or other outside opening used or intended to be used for ventilation, and any other opening which might provide an entry for insects or other pests, shall be supplied with a screen or such other devices as will effectively prevent their entrance. All screen doors shall have a self-closing device maintained in good working condition. (10) Bathroom floors. Every toilet, kitchen and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be substantially impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (11) Pipes and plumbing facilities. Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks and obstructions.
Enfield Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. III § 14-91 establishes a comprehensive set of structural and maintenance standards that must be met before any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, or multifamily building can lawfully be occupied. The rule covers a wide range of physical elements — from foundations, roofs, and exterior walls to windows, doors, stairs, screens, and plumbing — requiring each to be kept sound, weathertight, rodentproof, and in good repair. Accessory structures such as detached garages are included, and seasonal insect screening is required between June 1 and October 15. No owner-occupant may live in, and no landlord may rent out, a unit that falls short of these requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Enfield Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. III § 14-91, compliant property operators routinely inspect and maintain all structural elements — foundations, roofs, walls, floors, ceilings, chimneys, windows, doors, stairs, and porches — ensuring each remains weathertight, watertight, rodentproof, and structurally sound. Operators also verify that every exterior door and window is fitted with a functioning interior lock, that all exit doors open freely from the inside without a key, and that plumbing fixtures and pipes are free of defects and leaks. Between June 1 and October 15, self-closing insect screens are installed on all qualifying doors and openings, and basement or cellar windows used for ventilation are guarded against rodent entry year-round.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 14-91 of the Enfield Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to expect that their dwelling's structural elements — including the roof, walls, windows, doors, stairs, screens, and plumbing — are maintained in sound, safe, and sanitary condition throughout their tenancy. If a landlord fails to meet these standards, tenants may have grounds to raise the violation with the appropriate local code enforcement or housing authority in Enfield, or to assert the noncompliance as a defense in relevant legal proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Connecticut housing law can help explain the range of options available under § 14-91 and related state provisions.
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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