New Britain, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 13 § 13-58
Emergency order effective immediately; appeal
Operative Text
(a) Whenever the chief building inspector finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health, safety or welfare, he may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of the emergency and director the owner, occupant or other person in charge of the structure to which the provisions of this article or applicable rules and regulations pursuant thereto apply to take such action as is necessary to correct or abate the emergency. (b) Any person to whom an emergency order is directed shall comply with the order immediately, but upon petition to the chief building inspector shall be afforded a hearing as soon as possible, but in no event later than forty-eight (48) hours after the emergency order is served. After the hearing, depending upon his finding as to whether the provisions of this article or any applicable rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with, or if substantive compliance has been initiated, the chief building inspector shall continue the order in effect, modify or revoke it. (c) The provisions of this article listed below shall be considered emergency situations. Whenever the chief building inspector finds that such emergency situations exist, paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall apply. In the case of any of the provisions listed below, action to correct the violation shall be completed to the satisfaction of the chief building inspector within five (5) days following issuance of the emergency order. Reinspection by the enforcing officer of the property in violation of the provisions listed below shall occur within two (2) business days after the five (5) days allowed for correction of the violation. In the event of failure on the part of the owner, operator or occupant to whom the emergency order was issued to comply with the emergency order, the chief building inspector shall immediately notify the city's corporation counsel who shall initiate proceedings against the violator in the housing session of the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford--New Britain. Provisions of this article which are to be considered emergency situations when violation of such provisions exists are: (1) Structural safety, section 13-151 (a). (2) Supplied facilities, 13-132 , 13-155 and 13-157 . (3) Basic equipment, 13-96 through 13-103 . See also state basic building code section 124.0, unsafe buildings.
New Britain Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. II, div. 2 § 13-58 establishes a process by which the chief building inspector can issue an emergency order without prior notice or hearing when an immediate threat to public health, safety, or welfare is identified. The order requires whoever is responsible for the affected structure — whether owner, occupant, or other person in charge — to take corrective action immediately. Certain categories of violations, including structural safety, supplied facilities, and basic equipment, are specifically designated as emergency situations requiring correction within five days, after which reinspection occurs and, if the violation persists, legal proceedings may be initiated in the housing session of the Superior Court for the Hartford–New Britain judicial district.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 13-58, property owners and operators should be prepared to respond immediately upon receipt of an emergency order from the chief building inspector, as compliance is required without delay. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties so that conditions covered by the designated emergency provisions — structural safety, supplied facilities, and basic equipment — do not arise, and they keep documentation of maintenance and repairs readily available. If an emergency order is issued, owners typically act within the five-day correction window and engage with the reinspection process to avoid referral to the city's corporation counsel and subsequent court proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 13-58 gives tenants and occupants important protections: if an emergency order is directed at you as an occupant, you have the right to petition the chief building inspector for a hearing within 48 hours of the order being served. Tenants who observe conditions that may qualify as emergencies under this provision — such as structural hazards or failures in basic equipment or supplied facilities — can bring those conditions to the attention of the chief building inspector's office. Tenant-rights organizations in the New Britain area can help explain how the emergency order process under § 13-58 intersects with other housing rights and what options may be available when a landlord fails to comply with an issued order.
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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