Groton, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 9 art. IV div. 2 (2026) § 9-140
Condemnation (Groton Art. IV Div. 2: Administration and Enforcement)
Operative Text
The designation of dwellings or dwelling units as unfit for human habitation and the procedure for the condemnation and placarding of such dwellings or dwelling units, shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements: (1) Structures unfit for human habitation. Any dwelling or dwelling unit which shall be found to have any of the following defects shall be condemned as unfit for human habitation and shall be so designated and placarded by the housing official: a. One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested, that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. b. One which lacks illumination, ventilation, or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or of the public as prescribed in the provisions of this article. c. One which because of its general condition or location is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. (2) Notice. Any dwelling or dwelling unit condemned as unfit for human habitation and so designated and placarded by the housing official shall be vacated within a reasonable time as ordered by the housing official. (3) Occupancy of building. No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from, and such placard is removed by, the housing official. The housing official shall remove such placard whenever the defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated. (4) Removal of placard or notice. No person shall deface or remove the placard from any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation and placarded as such, except as provided in this article. (5) Hearing. Any person affected by any notice or order relating to the condemning and placarding of a dwelling or dwelling unit as unfit for human habitation may request in writing and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the housing code board of appeals under the procedure provided by section 9-130 .
Section 9-140 of Groton's Code of Ordinances establishes the process by which a housing official may formally condemn and placard a dwelling or dwelling unit as unfit for human habitation when it poses serious health or safety hazards—such as severe deterioration, vermin infestation, or inadequate ventilation and sanitation. Once condemned, the unit must be vacated within a timeframe set by the housing official, and it cannot be reoccupied until the official confirms in writing that the defects have been corrected and removes the placard. Anyone affected by a condemnation order has the right to request a written hearing before the housing code board of appeals under the procedures outlined in section 9-130.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 9-140, property owners and managers are expected to maintain dwellings in a condition that avoids the triggers for condemnation—such as structural decay, vermin infestation, or inadequate illumination, ventilation, or sanitation. When a housing official issues a condemnation and placard, compliant operators address the cited defects promptly and work with the housing official to obtain written approval and placard removal before allowing any reoccupancy. Operators who believe a condemnation order was issued in error have the right to request a formal hearing before the housing code board of appeals as provided in section 9-130.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 9-140 gives tenants important protections: if a dwelling or dwelling unit is found to be dangerous, unsanitary, or otherwise unfit, the housing official is authorized to condemn and placard it, and occupants must be given a reasonable time to vacate. Tenants should be aware that a condemned unit cannot legally be re-rented or reoccupied until the housing official has confirmed in writing that defects are resolved and has removed the placard—and that unauthorized removal or defacement of the placard is prohibited. If you are affected by a condemnation order under § 9-140, you have the right to request a written hearing before the housing code board of appeals, and tenant-rights organizations in Connecticut can help you understand that process.
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 Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.