Killingly, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. III § 4-59
Lighting standards
Operative Text
Section 4-59 Lighting standards A. Every habitable room shall have at least one (1) window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors, provided that, if connected to a room or area used seasonally (e.g. porch), then adequate daylight must be possible through this interconnection; have a minimum total window area, measured between stops, at least eight percent (8%) of the floor area of such room; whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any such room and such light-obstruction structures are located less than three (3) feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area; and whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of such room, the total window area of such skylight shall equal at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total floor area of such room. B. Every bathroom and water closet compartment and non-habitable room used for food preparation shall comply with the light standards for habitable rooms contained in this code, except that no window or skylight shall be required in such rooms if they are equipped with a ventilation system in working condition which is approved by the Building Official. C. Every public hall and stairway shall be adequately lighted by natural or artificial light at all times, with at least a 60 watt standard light bulb for each 200 sq. ft. of floor area, provided that the spacing between lights does not exceed 30 ft., so as to provide in all parts thereof at least ten (10) foot candles of light at the landing, tread and floor level.
Section 4-59 of Killingly's Rental Housing Standards Code establishes minimum natural lighting requirements for habitable rooms, requiring at least one window or skylight facing the outdoors with a total glazed area of at least 8% of the room's floor area (or 15% if the only opening is a skylight). Bathrooms, water closet compartments, and food-preparation rooms must meet the same standards, though an approved mechanical ventilation system can substitute for a window or skylight in those spaces. Common areas such as hallways and stairways must be adequately lit at all times, with at least a 60-watt bulb per 200 square feet of floor area and a minimum spacing of 30 feet between fixtures, delivering no less than 10 foot-candles at floor and landing level.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental housing in Killingly subject to § 4-59 generally ensure that every habitable room contains a qualifying window or skylight meeting the 8% (or 15% for skylights) floor-area ratio, and that no light-obstructing structure within three feet of a window negates its compliance. For bathrooms and food-prep areas without windows, landlords typically obtain Building Official approval for any substitute ventilation system before relying on it to satisfy the lighting exception. Common-area hallways and stairways are kept continuously lit to the 60-watt-per-200-sq-ft standard described in § 4-59(C), with fixture spacing not exceeding 30 feet.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Killingly rental units have a right under § 4-59 to habitable rooms with adequate natural light and to properly illuminated common areas at all times. If a room lacks a qualifying window, a skylight with sufficient area, or an approved ventilation substitute in bathrooms or similar spaces, that condition may constitute a violation of the Rental Housing Standards Code. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of these standards can document the conditions, raise the issue with their landlord in writing, or contact the Killingly Building Official's office to inquire about inspection and enforcement 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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