Groton, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 9 art. IV div. 5 (2026) § 9-181
Light and ventilation (Groton Art. IV Div. 5: Space, Occupancy, Light, Ventilation)
Operative Text
(a) Natural light in habitable room. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum aggregate glass area of window for habitable rooms shall be not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the room served by them. Whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any habitable room and such light obstructing structures 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 included as contributing to the required minimum total window area. Whenever the only window is a skylight type window in the top of such a room, the minimum aggregate glass area of such skylight shall be not less than 3/20 of the total floor area of such room. (b) Light in nonhabitable workspace. Every laundry, furnace room and all similar nonhabitable work spaces located in a dwelling or multifamily dwelling shall have one supplied electric light fixture available at all times. (c) Electric outlets required. Where there is electric service available from power lines which are not more than 300 feet away from a dwelling, every dwelling unit and all public and common areas shall be supplied with electric service, outlets and fixtures which shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition, and shall be connected to the source of electric power in a manner prescribed by the ordinances, rules and regulations of the town. The capacity of such services and the number of outlets and fixtures shall be as follows: (1) Every habitable room shall have an electric service and outlets and/or fixtures capable of providing at least three watts per square foot of floor area. (2) Every habitable room shall have at least one floor or wall-type electric convenience outlet for each 60 square feet or fraction thereof of floor area, and in no case less than two such outlets. (3) Every water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hall shall contain at least one supplied ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture. (d) Adequate ventilation. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can easily be opened, or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total of the openable window area is every habitable room shall be equal to at least 45 percent of the minimum aggregate glass area of the window or skylight type window, as required, except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and approved by the housing official. (e) 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 except that no window shall be required where equipped with a ventilation system approved by the housing official. (f) Convenient switches. For turning on one light in each room or passageway switches shall be located so as to permit the area ahead to be lighted. (g) Light in public halls and stairways. Every public hall and inside stairway shall be adequately lighted at all times with an illumination of at least one footcandle of light at the darkest portion of the normally traveled stairs and passageways.
Section 9-181 of Groton's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum standards for natural light, artificial lighting, electrical service, and ventilation in dwellings and multifamily buildings. Habitable rooms must have windows or skylights meeting specific glass-area ratios relative to floor area, and must also have openable ventilation. Electrical outlets, fixtures, and service capacity are required at defined minimums throughout dwelling units, common areas, bathrooms, and nonhabitable workspaces. Public halls and stairways must be continuously illuminated to at least one footcandle at their darkest points.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of dwellings and multifamily buildings in Groton should ensure that every habitable room meets the window-to-floor-area ratios and openable ventilation requirements set out in § 9-181, and that any window blocked by a nearby structure within three feet is not counted toward the required minimum. Compliant properties maintain properly installed electrical service delivering at least three watts per square foot in habitable rooms, with no fewer than two convenience outlets per room and at least one fixture in every bathroom, laundry room, furnace room, and public hall. Public corridors and stairways must be kept continuously lit to the one-footcandle minimum specified in § 9-181(g), and nonhabitable workspaces such as furnace and laundry rooms must have a supplied electric light fixture available at all times.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 9-181, tenants in Groton have a right to habitable rooms with adequate natural light and ventilation, sufficient electrical outlets and service capacity, and properly lit common areas and stairways. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards—such as having too few outlets, blocked or inoperable windows, or dimly lit hallways—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and raising the violation with Groton's housing official, who is referenced in § 9-181 as the approving authority for ventilation systems. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help residents understand what options are available, including whether a housing code complaint or other enforcement path may be appropriate.
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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