Waterbury, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 154 § 154.070
LIGHTING FACILITIES (Waterbury Housing Code)
Operative Text
(A) Every common hallway and stairway in every multiple dwelling shall be adequately lighted with lighting facilities sufficient to provide to at least one footcandle of light at the floor or stair tread level at all times. (B) Every common hallway and stairway in structures devoted solely to dwelling occupancy and containing not more than four dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed. (C) (1) Every cellar and every basement in every dwelling shall have adequate lighting facilities with conveniently located light switches which may be turned on and off when needed. (2) The lighting facilities shall provide at least one footcandle of light at the floor level. (1967 Code, §§ 9-44, 9-45) Penalty, see § 10.99
Waterbury, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 154 § 154.070 establishes minimum lighting standards for shared spaces in residential buildings. Common hallways and stairways in larger multi-unit buildings must maintain continuous lighting of at least one footcandle at floor or stair-tread level at all times, while smaller buildings of four units or fewer may instead use switched lighting that residents can activate as needed. Cellars and basements in all dwellings must also have adequate lighting of at least one footcandle at floor level, controlled by conveniently placed switches.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating multiple dwellings in Waterbury should be familiar with § 154.070 and the distinct requirements it sets based on building type. In buildings with more than four dwelling units, operators generally ensure that hallways and stairways are continuously lit to the one-footcandle minimum without relying on manual switches. For smaller buildings of four units or fewer, as well as all cellars and basements, compliant operators typically install conveniently located switches and verify that the lighting system, when activated, meets the one-footcandle floor-level standard.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Waterbury, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 154 § 154.070, tenants in multi-unit buildings have a right to adequately lit common hallways, stairways, cellars, and basements that meet the standards described in the provision. If lighting in these shared areas appears insufficient or non-functional, tenants can document the condition and report it to the appropriate Waterbury municipal code enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options may be available, including raising a code violation as part of a broader housing complaint.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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