New Britain, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 13 § 13-117
Minimum window or skylight areas required
Operative Text
(a) Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable room shall be not less than ten (10) per cent of the floor area of such room. Wherever walls or other light-obstructions are located less than three (3) feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such 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. (b) Whenever the only window in a room is the skylight-type window in the top of such room, the total window area of such skylight shall be at least fifteen (15) per cent of the total floor area of such room.
New Britain Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. II, div. 5 § 13-117 establishes minimum natural light standards for every habitable room. Each such room must have at least one window or skylight that opens directly to the outdoors, with total window area equal to at least 10% of the room's floor area. Windows blocked by walls or obstructions within three feet that rise above the ceiling line do not count toward this minimum. When a skylight is the sole source of natural light in a room, it must cover at least 15% of the floor area.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 13-117, compliant operators ensure that every habitable room in their rental units contains at least one qualifying window or skylight that faces directly to the outdoors without obstruction within three feet. Property managers typically measure window area between stops and compare it against 10% of the room's floor area—or 15% if a skylight is the only light source—before renting or renovating a unit. Keeping documentation of these measurements can support compliance during inspections conducted under the New Britain Code of Ordinances.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 13-117 of the New Britain Code of Ordinances gives occupants of habitable rooms the right to a minimum level of natural light through properly sized and unobstructed windows or skylights. If a room appears to lack a qualifying window or skylight meeting the 10% (or 15% for skylights-only) floor-area threshold, tenants may consider raising this as a housing code violation with the appropriate New Britain municipal housing or code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Connecticut housing law can help explain what options are generally available when a unit may not meet these standards.
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.