Hartford, Conn., Mun. Code ch. 18 § 18-90
Space, use, and location (Hartford Housing Code and Rental Licensing Program)
Operative Text
A. Each rooming unit shall contain at least seventy (70) square feet of floor space for one (1) occupant using the rooming unit for sleeping purposes, and at least fifty (50) additional square feet of floor space per additional occupant using the rooming unit for sleeping purposes, exclusive of wardrobe and closet space. B. Each rooming unit must have at least two (2) approved remote means of egress, both of which lead to safe and open space at ground level (as required by the laws of the State and this city), except that windows shall not be considered means of egress. C. No rooming unit shall be located in any accessory structure. No accessory structure shall be used as a rooming house.
Hartford, Conn., Mun. Code ch. 18 § 18-90 establishes minimum physical standards for rooming units in Hartford. Each unit must provide at least 70 square feet of floor space for a single sleeping occupant, with at least 50 additional square feet for each additional occupant, not counting closet or wardrobe space. Every rooming unit must also have at least two approved, non-window means of egress that lead to safe, open ground-level space, and no rooming unit or rooming house may be located in an accessory structure.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses in Hartford must ensure that each unit meets the space and egress requirements set out in Hartford, Conn., Mun. Code ch. 18 § 18-90 before placing any occupant in a unit. Compliant operators calculate floor space per occupant—starting at 70 square feet for one person and adding at least 50 square feet for each additional sleeping occupant—and verify that closets and wardrobes are excluded from that calculation. They also confirm that each unit has at least two code-approved egress routes (not windows) leading to safe ground-level space, and that no rooming unit or rooming house is situated in a detached accessory structure on the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Hartford, Conn., Mun. Code ch. 18 § 18-90 gives occupants of rooming units the right to a minimum amount of floor space and at least two safe, approved ways to exit the building in an emergency. If a unit appears to fall short of the 70-square-foot minimum for one occupant (or the additional 50 square feet per extra occupant), or if adequate egress routes are absent, tenants may have grounds to raise a code violation. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with Hartford's local housing or building inspection office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for 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 September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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