Stamford, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 146 § 146-32
Lighting and heating requirements in tenements and mercantile establishments
Operative Text
A. The hallways of all tenement houses and flat buildings in the city which are occupied by three (3) or more families as a residence shall be adequately lighted every night so that the passageway may be plainly seen by persons using the same from one-half (½) hour after sunset until daylight on the following morning. B. Every building within the city which contains a mercantile or commercial establishment and a rear entrance thereto shall maintain a light of an intensity equal to at least twenty-five (25) watts, so situated as to provide adequate illumination of such rear entrance. Such light shall be turned on not later than one (1) hour after sunset each day and shall be kept burning until one (1) hour before sunrise of the following day. C. The owner of any tenement house or flat building, or any agent of such owner having charge and care of any such tenement house or flat building, or any lessee of the whole of any such tenement house or flat building, who shall fail to keep the hallways of such tenement house or flat building lighted in violation of the terms of this section, or the owner or agent of every building containing a mercantile or commercial establishment and a rear entrance thereto, or lessee or tenant of that portion of the building which houses such mercantile or commercial establishment, who shall fail to maintain a light in violation of the terms of this section, shall be punished as provided by § 1-18 .
Stamford Code of Ordinances ch. 146 § 146-32 establishes mandatory lighting standards for two categories of buildings. Multi-family residential buildings with three or more families must keep their hallways adequately lit every night from a half-hour after sunset until daylight. Buildings with commercial or mercantile establishments that have a rear entrance must maintain a light of at least 25 watts at that entrance, turned on no later than one hour after sunset and kept on until one hour before sunrise.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of tenement houses, flat buildings, or commercial properties in Stamford should be aware that § 146-32 places the compliance obligation squarely on owners, their agents, and lessees of the whole building. For residential properties with three or more families, a compliant operator ensures hallway lighting is functional and activated each evening within the required window. For buildings with a commercial rear entrance, a compliant operator installs and maintains a fixture of at least 25 watts and establishes a reliable schedule—whether automated or manual—to meet the on/off timing requirements, since failure to do so can result in punishment under § 1-18.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in multi-family residential buildings in Stamford have an interest in the hallway lighting protections established by § 146-32, which requires that common passageways be adequately lit each night for safe use. If hallways are consistently unlit during the required hours, residents may document the conditions and consider raising the issue with local code enforcement or housing authorities in Stamford. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what options are available, including how a violation of § 146-32 might be relevant in other housing proceedings.
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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