Old Saybrook, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 166 (2026) § 166-8

No person shall 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 foundation, roof, floor, exterior and interior wall, ceiling, inside and outside stair, every porch, and every appurtenance thereto, shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the loads that normal use may cause to be placed thereon; and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Every inside and outside stair or step shall have uniform risers and uniform treads. B. Every foundation, roof and exterior wall, door, skylight and window shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and dampfree, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Floors, interior walls and ceilings shall be sound and in good repair. All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint which is not lead-based paint or by other protective covering or treatment. Walls shall be capable of affording privacy for the occupants. C. Every premise shall be graded, drained, free of stagnant water, and maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. D. Unless other provisions are made, gutters, leaders and downspouts shall be provided and maintained in good working condition as to provide proper drainage of stormwater. E. Every window, exterior door and hatchway or similar device shall be so constructed to exclude insects during that portion of the year when there is a need for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other flying insects. (1) Every doorway used for ventilation and opening directly from a dwelling unit to outside space shall have supplied properly fitting screens having at least 16 mesh and with a self-closing device. (2) Every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used for ventilation, shall be supplied with screens. F. Every dwelling, multiple dwelling, rooming house or accessory structure and the premises on which located shall be maintained in a rat-free and ratproof condition. (1) All openings in the exterior walls, foundations, basements, ground or first floors and roofs which have a half-inch diameter or more opening shall be ratproofed in an approved manner if they are within 48 inches of the existing exterior ground level immediately below such openings, or if they may be reached by rats from the ground by climbing unguarded pipes, wires, cornices, stairs, roofs, and other items such as trees or vines or by burrowing. (2) All windows located at or near ground level used or intended to be used for ventilation, all other openings located at or near ground level, and all exterior doorways which might provide an entry for rats, shall be supplied with adequate screens or such other devices as will effectively prevent the entrance of rats into the structure. (3) All sewers, pipes, drains or conduits and openings around such pipes and conduits shall be constructed to prevent the ingress or egress of rats to or from a building. (4) Interior floors of basements, cellars and other areas in contact with the soil shall be ratproofed in an approved manner. (5) Materials stored outside the dwelling shall be stacked neatly in piles so as to prevent the creation of a rat harborage area. No stacking or piling of material shall take place against the exterior walls of the structure. (6) Any materials used for ratproofing shall be acceptable to the Board of Selectmen or its designated agent. G. All fences shall be constructed of approved fencing material, shall be maintained in good condition and shall not create a harborage for rats. Wood materials shall be protected against decay by use of paint which is not lead-based or by other preservative material. The permissible height and other characteristics of all fences shall conform to the appropriate statutes, codes and regulations of the Town of Old Saybrook and the State of Connecticut. Wherever any egress from the dwelling opens into the fenced area, there shall be a means of egress from the premises to any public way adjacent thereto H. Accessory structures present or provided by the owner, agent or tenant occupant on the premises of a dwelling shall be structurally sound, and be maintained in good repair and free of insects and rats, or such structure shall be removed from the premises. The exterior of such structures shall be made weather resistant through the use of decay-resistant materials or the use of lead-free paint or other preservatives. I. Every plumbing fixture and all water and waste pipes shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition. J. Every water closet compartment, bathroom and kitchen floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. K. Every plumbing fixture and pipe, every chimney, flue, and smoke pipe, and every other facility, piece of equipment or utility which is present in a dwelling or dwelling unit, or which is required under this code, shall be constructed, installed and maintained in conformance with the appropriate statutes, codes and regulations of the Town of Old Saybrook and the State of Connecticut. L. No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under this code to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling or dwelling unit let or occupied by him or her; except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process, or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the appropriate authority or as provided for by the laws of the State of Connecticut. M. All construction and materials, ways and means of egress, and installation and use of equipment shall conform with the appropriate statutes, codes and regulations dealing with the fire protection of the Town of Old Saybrook and the State of Connecticut.