Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-8
Responsibilities of owners and occupants (Norwalk Housing Code)
Operative Text
The following responsibilities of owners and occupants are in addition to those specified elsewhere throughout this chapter: A. Every owner of a dwelling containing two or more dwelling units shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the shared or public areas of the dwelling and premises thereof. B. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall keep in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling, dwelling unit and premises thereof which he occupies and controls. C. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall dispose of all his rubbish in a clean and sanitary manner by placing it in the rubbish containers required by § 59-4D . D. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall dispose of all his garbage, and any other organic waste which might provide food for rodents, in a clean and sanitary manner by placing it in the garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage containers required by § 59-4D . E. The owner of a dwelling or dwelling unit or structure shall be responsible for providing and hanging all screens and double or storm doors and windows whenever the same are required under the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted thereunder, except where a written agreement between the owner and occupant has provided otherwise. In the absence of such an agreement, it shall become the responsibility of the occupant to maintain or replace screens, etc., once they have been installed. F. Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests therein or on the premises, and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his dwelling unit is the only one infested. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in a ratproof or reasonably insectproof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units in any dwelling or in the shared or public parts of any dwelling containing two or more dwelling units, extermination thereof shall be the responsibility of the owner. G. Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall keep all plumbing fixtures therein in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation thereof. H. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any occupant or tenant to increase the number of persons in the dwelling unit rented by him beyond the number permitted in this chapter, and whenever such occupant or tenant is found responsible for such violation, such person will be subject to the penalties prescribed herein. I. No owner or other person shall occupy or let to another person any vacant dwelling or dwelling unit unless said dwelling or dwelling unit and the premises are clean, sanitary, fit for human occupancy and comply with all applicable legal requirements of the State of Connecticut and the state municipalities. J. Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall store and discard in a clean, sanitary and safe manner all his garbage and any other organic waste which might provide food for rodents and insects. If a container is used for storage pending collection, it shall be secure against entry by insects and rodents and shall be watertight. K. No owner or occupant of a dwelling, dwelling unit or structure shall accumulate rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal or any other material in such a manner that may provide harborage or food for rodents in or about any dwelling, dwelling unit or structure. L. No owner shall let for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit unless all exterior doors and all accessible windows, etc., of the dwelling or dwelling unit are equipped with safe, functioning locking devices.
Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-8 establishes a shared framework of cleanliness, maintenance, and safety responsibilities that apply to both property owners and the people who live in their units. Owners of multi-unit buildings must keep shared and public areas sanitary, provide and install required screens and storm doors or windows, handle pest extermination when infestations spread across multiple units or stem from structural deficiencies, and ensure vacant units are fit for occupancy before re-letting. Occupants, in turn, are responsible for keeping their own spaces clean, properly disposing of rubbish and garbage in designated containers, maintaining plumbing fixtures with reasonable care, and not exceeding the permitted number of residents in a unit. Violations of the occupancy-limit provision carry penalties as prescribed elsewhere in the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-8, compliant property owners of two-or-more-unit buildings routinely maintain shared hallways, stairwells, and exterior grounds in a clean and sanitary state. They provide and install all screens, storm doors, and windows required by the chapter before occupancy begins, and they address pest extermination whenever an infestation affects multiple units or arises from a structural failure to keep the building ratproof or insectproof. Before re-letting any vacant unit, owners verify that the dwelling meets all applicable Connecticut state and local legal requirements and that all exterior doors and accessible windows are fitted with safe, functioning locking devices as required by § 59-8L.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-8 gives occupants both responsibilities and protections: tenants are expected to keep their own unit and any areas they control clean and sanitary, dispose of rubbish and garbage in the containers specified under § 59-4D, and maintain plumbing fixtures with reasonable care. Importantly, § 59-8F shifts pest-extermination responsibility back to the owner when an infestation spreads to two or more units or results from the owner's failure to maintain a structurally sound, pest-resistant building. Tenants who believe an owner is not meeting these obligations may consider documenting conditions, raising the violation as a defense in relevant proceedings, or contacting a local tenant-rights organization or Norwalk's housing enforcement office for guidance on available complaint processes.
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 24, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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