New Britain, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 13 § 13-118
Operable window or skylight areas required
Operative Text
Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors which can be opened easily, or the room shall be equipped with a device that will adequately ventilate the room. If no such ventilating device is furnished, the total openable window area (or skylight area) in every habitable room shall be equal to at least forty-five (45) per cent of the minimum window area size or minimum skylight-type window size, as required in section 13-117 of this article. Any other ventilating device shall afford adequate ventilation and must be approved by the chief building inspector and the director of health of the city.
New Britain Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. II, div. 5 § 13-118 establishes that every habitable room must have a way to bring in fresh air from outside — either through a window or skylight that can be opened easily, or through an approved mechanical ventilation device. When no such device is present, the openable portion of the window or skylight must equal at least 45 percent of the minimum window or skylight area set by § 13-117. Any alternative ventilation device must be reviewed and approved by both the city's chief building inspector and the director of health before it can satisfy this requirement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators managing residential units in New Britain should ensure that every habitable room meets the ventilation standard set out in § 13-118 by providing either an easily openable window or skylight with sufficient openable area, or an approved mechanical ventilation device. Where windows or skylights are the sole means of ventilation, the openable area must reach at least 45 percent of the minimum size established under § 13-117. If a non-window ventilation device is installed instead, compliant operators obtain prior approval from both the chief building inspector and the director of health before relying on that device to satisfy the requirement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 13-118 of the New Britain Code of Ordinances, tenants in habitable rooms are entitled to adequate ventilation — either through an openable window or skylight meeting the 45-percent threshold, or through a city-approved ventilation device. If a room lacks any compliant means of ventilation, that condition may constitute a housing code violation that can be reported to the city's building or health department. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of this standard may also wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand the range of options available to them.
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.