Wallingford, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 167 (2026) § 167-8
Minimum space, use and location requirements (Wallingford Rental Housing Code)
Operative Text
No person shall let to be occupied any dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant thereof and at least 110 square feet of floor space for every additional occupant thereof, the floor space to be calculated on the basis of total habitable room space. B. In every dwelling unit of two or more rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor space for the first occupant and at least 30 square feet of floor space for each additional occupant thereof, and shall be no less than seven feet in width. C. No dwelling or dwelling unit constructed or rehabilitated after 1945, containing two or more sleeping rooms, shall have such room arrangement that access to a bathroom or toilet compartment, intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room, can be had only by going through another sleeping room or a bathroom or toilet compartment. D. At least 75% of the floor area of every habitable room shall have, in a dwelling or dwelling unit built after 1945, a ceiling height of no less than seven feet, and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof. At least 50% of the floor area in attic rooms shall have a ceiling height of seven feet. E. No space, located totally or partially below grade, shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless: (1) The floor, and those portions of the walls below grade, are of waterproof and dampproof construction. (2) The minimum window area, required in § 167-5A , is located entirely above grade of the ground adjoining such window area or, if windows are located below grade, that there be constructed a properly drained window well whose ground area shall be equal to or greater than the area of the window opening; the bottom of the window shall be below the top of the impervious masonry under this window. (3) The total openable window area in each room is equal to at least the minimum, as required under § 167-5B of this chapter, except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and approved by the appropriate authority. (4) There are no pipes or other obstructions less than six feet eight inches above the floor level which interfere with the normal use of the room or area. F. Every dwelling unit shall have adequate closet or other storage space for the personal effects of each permissible occupant. If it is lacking, an amount of space equal in square footage to the deficiency shall be subtracted from the area of habitable room space used in determining permissible occupancy. G. Any entrance doorway to a bedroom shall have an operable door or curtain to afford privacy to its occupants. H. Every dwelling or dwelling unit shall have one or more safe, unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, as required by the laws of this town and this state.
Wallingford, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 167 § 167-8 establishes minimum physical standards that a dwelling unit must meet before it can lawfully be occupied. These standards cover per-person floor space minimums, sleeping room dimensions, ceiling heights, bathroom access arrangements, below-grade habitability conditions, storage space, bedroom privacy, and egress. The rule applies to both the overall unit and individual rooms, with some requirements varying depending on whether the structure was built or rehabilitated before or after 1945.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 167-8, compliant operators in Wallingford generally verify that each unit provides at least 150 square feet of total habitable space for the first occupant and 110 square feet for each additional occupant before renting. They also confirm that sleeping rooms meet the 70-square-foot minimum for the first occupant, that bathroom access does not require passage through another sleeping room in post-1945 two-or-more-bedroom units, that below-grade spaces meet waterproofing and window requirements before being offered as habitable rooms, and that every unit has adequate storage and at least one safe means of egress. Keeping records of room dimensions, occupancy calculations, and any inspections can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with ch. 167 § 167-8.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 167-8 of Wallingford's housing code gives occupants the right to live in a unit that meets specific minimums for space, ceiling height, sleeping room size, bathroom access, storage, privacy, and egress. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards—for example, a sleeping room that seems too small or a below-grade space that is damp or poorly ventilated—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and contacting Wallingford's local housing or code enforcement office to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Connecticut housing law can also help explain what options may be available under § 167-8 and related state provisions.
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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