Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-5

No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum aggregate glass area of windows for habitable rooms shall not be less than 8% of the floor area of the room served by them. Whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any habitable room and such light-obstruction structures are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such window shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area. Whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of such room, the minimum aggregate glass area of such skylight shall be not less than 15% of the total floor area of such room. [Amended 4-24-1984 ] B. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can easily be opened or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total of openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least 45% of the minimum window area size or minimum skylight-type window size, as required in § 59-5A , except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and approved by the Director of Public Health. C. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in § 59-5A and B , except where the bathroom or water closet compartment is adequately ventilated by a ventilation system which is kept in continuous or automatic operation and approved by the Director of Public Health. D. Where there is electric service available from power lines which are not more than 300 feet away from a dwelling, every dwelling unit and all public and common areas shall be supplied with electric service, outlets and fixtures which shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition and shall be connected to the source of electric power in a manner prescribed by the ordinances, rules and regulations of the city. The capacity of such services and the number of outlets and fixtures shall be: (1) Every habitable room shall have an electric service and outlets and/or fixtures capable of providing at least three watts per square foot of floor area. (2) Every habitable room shall have at least one floor- or wall-type duplex electric convenience outlet for each 60 square feet or fraction thereof of floor area, and in no case less than one such outlet. If two or more such outlets are required, they shall not be on the same wall or immediate floor area. (3) Every water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hall shall contain at least one supplied ceiling- or wall-type electric light fixture. Whenever electric service is supplied to more than one family through one meter, the owner shall be responsible to provide adequate electricity at all times. E. Every dwelling or dwelling unit shall be supplied with heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments located therein to a temperature of at least 65° F. at a distance of three feet above floor level when the outdoor temperature is 0° F. Either central- or space-heating facilities may be used, but must meet the following requirements: [Amended 2-11-1986 ] (1) Every central unit and/or central hot-water heating unit shall: (a) Have every heat duct, steam pipe and/or hot-water pipe free of leaks and functioning properly to provide an adequate amount of heat and/or hot water to the intended place of delivery. (b) Be provided with seals between sections of hot-air furnaces to prevent the escape of noxious gases into heat ducts. (c) If employing electricity, be connected to an electric circuit of adequate capacity in an approved manner. (d) Be provided with automatic or safety devices and be installed and operated in the manner required by the statutes, ordinances and regulations of the state and the city. (e) Whenever a single heating unit services more than one dwelling, the owner shall be responsible to provide adequate heat and/or hot water, maintenance of said unit and fuel at all times. (2) Every space-heating unit and/or unit hot-water facility shall: (a) Space heaters of any type using liquid fuel (kerosene, fuel oil, gasoline, etc.) shall not be used in any building used or intended to be used for the purpose of living therein. (b) Not be of the portable type if using solid, liquid or gaseous fuel. (c) If employing a flame, be connected to a flue or vent in the manner required by the statutes, ordinances and regulations of the state and the city. (d) If employing solid or liquid fuels, have a fire-resistant panel beneath it. (e) Be located at least three feet away from any wall or be equipped with insulation sufficient to prevent the overheating of any wall in a manner prescribed by the current standards of the American Standards Association and the National Fire Protection Association. [Amended 4-24-1984 ] (f) If employing gaseous fuel, be equipped with other than rubber tube or armored rubber tube connector. (g) If employing electricity, be connected to an electric circuit of adequate capacity in an approved manner. (h) Be installed and operated in the manner required by the statutes, ordinances and regulations of the state and the city. F. Every common hallway and stairway in every multiple dwelling shall be adequately lighted with lighting facilities sufficient to provide at least one footcandle of light at the floor or stair tread level at all times. Every common hallway and stairway in structures devoted solely to dwelling occupancy and containing not more than two dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed instead of full-time lighting. G. During the portion of each year when the Health Officer deems it necessary for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other insects, every door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space shall have supplied screens and a self-closing device; and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall likewise be supplied with screens. H. Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation, and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents, shall be supplied with a screen or such other device as will effectively prevent their entrance. I. Whenever gas service is supplied to more than one family through one meter, the owner shall be responsible to provide adequate gas at all times.