Groton, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 9 art. IV div. 3 (2026) § 9-152
Interior structures (Groton Art. IV Div. 3: Environmental Requirements)
Operative Text
(a) Free from dampness. In every dwelling, multifamily dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit and roominghouse, cellars, basements and crawl spaces shall be maintained reasonably free from dampness to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the structure as required by the building code. (b) Structural members. The supporting structural members of every dwelling and multifamily dwelling used for human habitation shall be maintained structurally sound, showing no evidence of deterioration which would render them incapable of carrying the imposed loads in accordance with the provisions of the building code. (c) Interior stairs and railings. All interior stairs of every structure used for human habitation shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair by replacing treads and risers that evidence excessive wear or are broken, warped or loose. Every inside stair shall be so constructed and maintained as to be safe to use and capable of supporting a load as required by the provisions of the building code. Every stairwell and every flight of stairs which is more than three risers high shall have handrails or railings located in accordance with the provisions of the building code. Every handrail or railing shall be firmly fastened and must be maintained in good condition. Properly balustraded railings capable of bearing normally imposed loads as required by the building code, shall be placed on the open portions of stairs, balconies, landings and stairwells. (d) Bathroom floors. Every toilet and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (e) Sanitation. The interior of every dwelling and multifamily dwelling used for human habitation shall be maintained by occupant in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Rubbish, garbage and other refuse shall be properly kept inside temporary storage facilities. (f) Insect and rodent harborage. Buildings used for human habitation shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation, and where insects or rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by acceptable processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation. (g) Painting. All walls, ceilings, interior woodwork, doors and windows shall be kept free of flaking, peeling or loose paint. Lead base and mercury base paints shall not be used for the painting of interior portions of any dwelling units. (h) Interior walls and ceilings. All interior walls, ceilings, floors and other interior surfaces shall be maintained in a workmanlike state of maintenance and repair and shall be free of holes, breaks, loose and rotting boards or timbers and any other conditions which might be unsafe or unsanitary.
Section 9-152 of Groton's Code of Ordinances establishes a comprehensive set of interior maintenance standards for dwellings, multifamily dwellings, rooming units, and roominghouses. The rule covers a wide range of conditions, including moisture control in below-grade spaces, structural soundness of load-bearing members, safe and well-maintained stairs and railings, sanitary bathroom floors, cleanliness free of garbage accumulation, pest-free conditions, paint free of flaking or lead and mercury compounds, and the overall integrity of interior walls, ceilings, and floors. Responsibility for some conditions—such as general cleanliness—is placed on occupants, while the structural and systemic requirements apply to the dwelling itself as a whole.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental housing in Groton subject to § 9-152 generally keep basements and crawl spaces dry, ensure load-bearing members show no deterioration, and maintain all interior stairs, handrails, and balustraded railings in safe, code-compliant condition. Compliant operators also ensure bathroom floors are cleanable, address insect and rodent infestations promptly with health-safe methods, and keep interior surfaces—walls, ceilings, floors, woodwork, doors, and windows—free of holes, rot, and flaking or peeling paint. Importantly, lead-based and mercury-based paints are prohibited for interior use under this section, so operators typically document paint materials used during any renovation or repainting work.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 9-152, tenants in Groton have a right to occupy dwellings that are structurally sound, free of pest infestation, and maintained with safe stairs and railings, dry below-grade spaces, and interior surfaces in good repair. The provision also places a cleanliness obligation on occupants themselves, so tenants generally keep their units free of garbage and rubbish accumulation and store refuse in proper temporary facilities. Tenants who observe conditions that appear to violate § 9-152—such as deteriorating structural members, pest infestations, or peeling paint—may consider contacting Groton's local housing or building inspection office to report the concern, or reaching out to a 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.