New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances tit. V § 213
Study, designation of substandard areas by city plan commission (New Haven Housing Code)
Operative Text
The city plan commission shall study from time to time the quality of housing within the city and shall certify to the enforcing officer those areas in which substandard housing exists or in which there is an imminent danger of existing housing becoming substandard. Within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this title the city plan commission shall certify to the enforcing officer the first of said priority areas. The city plan commission shall certify additional priority areas from time to time upon written request from the enforcing officer and within thirty (30) days of the receipt of said request. The city plan commission shall have the power to change, alter, or modify the designation of said priority areas. Note-- Formerly, ¶ 216.
Under New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances tit. V § 213, the city plan commission is responsible for periodically studying housing quality across the city and formally identifying areas where housing is substandard or at risk of becoming so. These designated 'priority areas' are certified to the enforcing officer, who can also request that additional areas be reviewed and certified within 30 days. The commission retains ongoing authority to revise, update, or remove priority area designations as conditions change.
Plain English — not legal advice.
New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances tit. V § 213 establishes a framework in which the city plan commission identifies neighborhoods with substandard or at-risk housing and notifies the enforcing officer. Property owners operating in areas that have been certified as priority zones should be aware that their properties may be subject to heightened scrutiny and enforcement activity. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in good repair so that housing conditions do not contribute to a neighborhood being flagged or retained as a priority area.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances tit. V § 213 gives tenants an important contextual right: the city plan commission is obligated to identify and certify areas where housing is substandard or in danger of becoming so, which can trigger enforcement attention in those neighborhoods. Tenants who believe their housing is substandard may find it useful to determine whether their area has been certified as a priority zone, as this designation can inform the enforcing officer's activities. General enforcement paths available to tenants include contacting the city's enforcing officer, reaching out to local tenant-rights organizations, or consulting with a housing attorney to understand what options may be available.
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.
Effective Timeline
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