Greenwich, Conn., Town Code ch. 5 § 5-28
Dwelling units; ceiling height; exception
Operative Text
(a) In every dwelling of three (3) or more dwelling units at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven (7) feet eight (8) inches from finished floor to finished ceiling except attic rooms which shall have a ceiling height of at least seven (7) feet four (4) inches. (b) In every dwelling of one (1) and two (2) units, every habitable room shall have a clear height from finished floor to finished ceiling of not less than seven and one half (7-1/2) feet in the first story, and not less than seven and one third (7-1/3) feet in the second and third stories. (c) Dwelling units constructed prior to March 17, 1958 may in the discretion of the Director of Health be exempted from the requirements set forth in this Section.
Greenwich Town Code ch. 5 § 5-28 establishes minimum ceiling height standards for habitable rooms in residential dwellings. In buildings with three or more units, at least 75% of each habitable room's floor area must reach a ceiling height of 7 feet 8 inches, with a lower threshold of 7 feet 4 inches for attic rooms. In one- and two-unit dwellings, the required clear height varies by story, ranging from 7½ feet on the first floor to 7⅓ feet on upper floors. Dwelling units built before March 17, 1958 may be granted an exemption at the discretion of the Director of Health.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Greenwich should ensure that habitable rooms meet the ceiling height thresholds set out in ch. 5 § 5-28 before renting or marketing units. For multi-unit buildings of three or more, compliant operators verify that at least 75% of each habitable room's floor area clears the 7-foot-8-inch standard, and that attic rooms meet the 7-foot-4-inch threshold. Owners of pre-1958 construction who believe their units may fall short of these requirements generally document the build date and engage the Director of Health to explore whether a discretionary exemption applies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Greenwich Town Code ch. 5 § 5-28 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns if a habitable room in their dwelling appears to fall below the applicable ceiling height minimums. Tenants in buildings of three or more units can note whether the 75% floor-area rule is met, while those in one- or two-unit homes can reference the story-by-story height requirements. Tenants who believe a violation exists may consider contacting the Greenwich Director of Health, who oversees enforcement of this provision, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance on 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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