Old Saybrook, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 166 (2026) § 166-2

The following general provisions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this code: A. Legislative finding. It is hereby found that there exists and may in the future exist, within the Town of Old Saybrook, rental premises, consisting of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, or parts thereof, which by reason of their structure, equipment, sanitation, maintenance, use or occupancy affect or are likely to affect adversely the public health (including the physical, mental and social well-being of persons and families), safety and general welfare. To correct and prevent the existence of such adverse conditions, and to achieve and maintain such levels of residential environmental quality with regard to such premises as will protect and promote public health, safety, and general welfare, it is further found that the establishment and enforcement of minimum housing standards are required. B. Purposes. It is hereby declared that the purpose of this code is to protect, preserve, and promote the physical and mental health and social well-being of the people, to prevent and control the incidence of communicable diseases, to reduce environmental hazards to health, to regulate privately and publicly owned rental residential premises for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health, and to protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare by legislation which shall be applicable to all such premises now in existence or hereafter constructed. It is hereby further declared that the purpose of this code is to insure that the quality of such housing is adequate for protection of public health, safety and general welfare, including establishment of minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, and thermal conditions, for safety from fire and accidents, for the use and location and amount of space for human occupancy, and for an adequate level of maintenance; determination of the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants of rental dwellings; and provision for administration and enforcement thereof. C. Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply uniformly to the construction, maintenance, use and occupancy of all rental residential buildings and structures, where applicable, and shall apply uniformly to the alteration, repair, equipment, use, occupancy and maintenance of all existing rental residential buildings and structures, within the jurisdiction of the Town of Old Saybrook irrespective of when or under what code or codes such buildings or structures were originally constructed or rehabilitated. D. Title. This code shall be known and may be cited as the Rental Housing Code for the Town of Old Saybrook, hereinafter referred to as "this code."