New Britain, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 13 § 13-102
Means of egress from dwelling unit required
Operative Text
(a) Every dwelling unit shall have safe, unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, as required by the laws of the state and of the city. (b) Access to or egress from each dwelling unit shall be provided without passing through the habitable rooms of any other dwelling unit. State Law reference-- Required stairways and fire escapes, G.S. § 19-386.
New Britain Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. II, div. 4 § 13-102 establishes that every dwelling unit must have a safe, clear path of exit that leads to open space at ground level, consistent with state and city law. Additionally, residents must be able to enter or leave their unit without walking through the living spaces of any other unit. This rule is designed to protect occupant safety and ensure independent, unobstructed access for each household.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 13-102, compliant property operators maintain egress routes that are free of obstructions, structurally sound, and accessible at all times, meeting both New Britain and Connecticut state standards. Building layouts and unit configurations are arranged so that no tenant's path of entry or exit requires passage through another unit's habitable rooms. Regular inspections of hallways, stairways, fire escapes, and exits help operators identify and correct conditions that could put them out of compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 13-102 gives every tenant the right to a safe, unblocked exit from their dwelling unit that reaches open ground-level space, as well as independent access to and from their unit that does not pass through a neighbor's living area. If egress routes are blocked, in disrepair, or if unit access requires passing through another tenant's habitable space, this provision may be relevant to a housing code complaint filed with New Britain's housing or building enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local ordinances can help residents understand what options are generally available when egress conditions fall short of what § 13-102 requires.
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.