New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances tit. V § 101
Construction and interpretation of certain words (New Haven Housing Code)
Operative Text
Whenever the words "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "rooming house," "rooming unit," and "premises," are used in this title, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof."
Section 101 of Title V of the New Haven Code of Ordinances establishes a rule of construction for five key terms — "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "rooming house," "rooming unit," and "premises" — that appear throughout the title. Wherever any of these terms appears, it automatically encompasses partial spaces as well as whole ones, so a single room or portion of a building is treated the same as an entire structure. This prevents gaps in coverage that might otherwise arise when a regulation technically refers to a whole unit but the situation involves only part of one.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 101 of Title V, property owners and managers should understand that the housing code's requirements apply to every portion of a covered property, not just to complete, self-contained units. A compliant operator generally ensures that common areas, partial spaces, and subdivided sections of a building meet the same standards as whole dwelling units. Familiarity with this interpretive rule helps operators avoid the mistaken assumption that a regulation does not apply simply because only part of a structure is involved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 101 of Title V means that tenants occupying a room, a partial floor, or any subdivision of a larger building are covered by the same housing code protections as tenants in a standalone dwelling unit. If a landlord argues that a code requirement does not apply because a rented space is only part of a larger structure, this provision directly addresses that interpretation. Tenants who believe their partial space is being excluded from code protections can raise this construction rule when contacting local housing authorities or a tenant-rights organization for guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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