Old Saybrook, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 166 (2026) § 166-19
Appeals (Old Saybrook Rental Housing Standards)
Operative Text
A. There is hereby created a Housing Code Appeals Board, appointed by the Old Saybrook Board of Selectmen, which shall consist of five members, each to serve for a term of five years. The term of each member shall begin on the first day of May 1979. The terms of the members shall be staggered so that the terms of not more than three members shall expire in any one year. For purposes of allowing such staggered terms, the first appointment of two of the members shall be for terms of three years only, thereafter such terms being increased to full five-year terms. The Housing Code Appeals Board shall designate from its members a Chair and a Secretary. B. The Housing Code Appeals Board shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings and investigations and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the Board of Selectmen and all decisions and findings shall be made part of the public record. C. Any person aggrieved by a notice of the Board of Selectmen issued in connection with any alleged violation of this code or of any applicable rule or regulation issued pursuant thereto, or by any order requiring repair or demolition, may apply to the Board of Selectmen for an administrative conference for reconsideration of such notice or order, provided that such application is made within 14 days after the date the notice or order was issued. If the Board of Selectmen holds an administrative conference for reconsideration of notice or order, the Board of Selectmen shall prepare a summary of the conference and shall state the decision reached; such summary and statement shall become part of the public record. D. Any person aggrieved by a notice of the Board of Selectmen issued in connection with any alleged violation of this code or of any applicable rule or regulation issued pursuant thereto, or by any order requiring repair or demolition, may apply to the Housing Code Appeals Board for a reconsideration of such notice or order, provided that such application is made within 21 days after the date the notice or order was issued. E. The Housing Code Appeals Board shall, within 10 days upon receipt of an appeal, set a time and place for the hearing, which hearing shall be held within 30 days from the date of receipt of such appeal. Said Board shall advise the applicant, in writing, of such time and place of hearing by certified mail, return receipt requested, at least seven days prior to the date of said hearing. F. At such a hearing the applicant shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show cause why such notice or order should be modified, extended, withdrawn or a variance granted. G. The Housing Code Appeals Board, by a majority vote, may sustain modify or withdraw the notice or order. In granting an extension or variance of any notice or order, the Appeals Board shall observe the following: (1) The Housing Code Appeals Board may grant an extension of time for the compliance of any order or notice for not more than 18 months subject to appropriate conditions and provided that the Appeals Board makes specific findings of fact based on evidence relating to the following: (a) That there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in carrying out the strict letter of any notice or order; and (b) That such an extension is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this code in securing the public health, safety and general welfare. (2) The Housing Code Appeals Board may grant a variance in a specific case and from a specific provision of this code subject to appropriate conditions and provided that the Appeals Board makes specific findings of fact based on evidence related to the following: (a) That there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in carrying out the strict letter of any notice or order; and (b) That the effect of the application of the provisions would be arbitrary in the specific case; and (c) That an extension would not constitute an appropriate remedy for these practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships and this arbitrary effect; and (d) That such variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this code in securing the public health, safety and general welfare.
Section 166-19 of Old Saybrook's Housing Code establishes a formal appeals process for anyone who receives a notice or order related to an alleged housing code violation. A five-member Housing Code Appeals Board, appointed by the Board of Selectmen, is empowered to hear challenges to such notices and orders, and may sustain, modify, or withdraw them by majority vote. The provision also allows the Board of Selectmen to hold an administrative conference for reconsideration, and the Appeals Board may grant extensions of up to 18 months or variances in cases where strict compliance would create practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship. All decisions and findings must be rendered in writing and made part of the public record.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to a notice or order under Old Saybrook's Housing Code (ch. 166 § 166-19) generally track the issuance date carefully, since the window to request an administrative conference with the Board of Selectmen is 14 days, and the window to apply to the Housing Code Appeals Board is 21 days. Compliant operators typically document any practical difficulties or hardships that might support a request for an extension or variance, as the Appeals Board requires specific written findings before granting either. Keeping records of all correspondence and attending any scheduled hearings ensures that a property owner's position becomes part of the public record as required by this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 166-19 of Old Saybrook's Housing Code, tenants and other aggrieved parties have the right to challenge notices or orders issued in connection with alleged code violations through two distinct pathways: an administrative conference with the Board of Selectmen (within 14 days) or a formal appeal to the Housing Code Appeals Board (within 21 days). At a hearing before the Appeals Board, applicants are given the opportunity to be heard and to present reasons why a notice or order should be modified, extended, withdrawn, or subject to a variance. Tenants who believe a housing code matter affects their living conditions may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource to better understand how these appeal procedures under § 166-19 might apply to their circumstances.
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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