Enfield, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. III § 14-93
Light and ventilation
Operative Text
(a) Natural light in habitable rooms. Every habitable room shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable room shall be ten percent of the floor area of such room, except in kitchens when artificial light may be provided in accordance with the provisions of the building code. Whenever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room and such obstructions are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors nor to a court and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area for the room. (b) Light in public halls and stairways. Every common hall and stairway in every dwelling or multifamily dwelling shall be adequately lighted at all times with an illumination of at least ten footcandles in the darkest portion of the normally traveled stairs and passageways. (c) Adequate ventilation. Every habitable room shall have at least one window which can be easily opened or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least 45 percent of the minimum window area size required, except where mechanical ventilation is provided in accordance with the provisions of the building code. (d) Ventilation and light in bathroom and water closet. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms as required by subsections (a) and (c) of this section; except that no window shall be required in bathrooms or water closet compartments equipped with an approved ventilation system.
Enfield Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. III § 14-93 establishes minimum standards for natural light and ventilation in residential spaces. Every habitable room must have windows totaling at least ten percent of the floor area that face directly outdoors or to a court, and those windows must be openable to provide at least 45 percent of the required window area for ventilation. Common hallways and stairways must be lit to at least ten footcandles at all times, and bathrooms must meet the same light and ventilation standards unless an approved mechanical ventilation system is installed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of dwellings subject to Enfield Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. III § 14-93 generally ensure that each habitable room contains windows of sufficient size and placement to meet the ten-percent floor-area threshold, and that those windows are not obstructed within three feet in a way that would disqualify them from counting toward the requirement. Compliant operators also maintain continuous adequate lighting of at least ten footcandles throughout common halls and stairways, and verify that bathrooms either have qualifying windows or an approved mechanical ventilation system. Kitchens and bathrooms with code-compliant artificial light or mechanical ventilation systems may qualify for the relevant exceptions outlined in the provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Enfield Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. III § 14-93, tenants have a right to habitable rooms with adequate natural light and ventilation, as well as properly lit common areas in their building. If a room's windows are blocked by a structure within three feet, or if hallways are poorly lit, these conditions may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met can document the conditions, raise the issue in writing with their landlord, or contact the relevant local housing or code enforcement authority; tenant-rights organizations can also help identify 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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