Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a § 19a-355
(Formerly Sec. 19-342). Definitions.
Operative Text
(a) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Tenement house” means any house or building, or portion thereof, which is rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or is arranged or designed to be occupied, or is occupied, as the home or residence of three or more families, living independently of each other, and doing their cooking upon the premises, and having a common right in the halls, stairways or yards; (2) “Lodging house” or “boarding house” means any house or building or portion thereof, in which six or more persons are harbored, received or lodged for hire, or any building or part thereof, which is used as a sleeping place or lodging for six or more persons not members of the family residing therein; (3) “Apartment” means a room or suite of rooms occupied or designed to be occupied as a family domicile; (4) “Yard” means an open, unoccupied space, on the same lot with a tenement, lodging or boarding house, between the rear line of such house and the rear line of the lot; (5) “Court” means an open, unoccupied space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a tenement house; (6) “Basement” means a story partly, but not more than one-half, below the level of the grade; and (7) “Cellar” means a story more than one-half below the level of the grade. (b) For purposes of this chapter, the word “shall” is mandatory and not directory, and denotes that the house shall be maintained in all respects according to the mandate, as long as it continues to be a tenement house. (c) In determining the number of stories in a tenement house, a basement or an attic shall be counted as a story if it is occupied or designed to be occupied for living purposes.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-355 establishes the foundational definitions used throughout Connecticut's tenement house chapter, setting out what qualifies as a tenement house, lodging house, boarding house, apartment, yard, court, basement, and cellar. The provision also clarifies that the word 'shall' in this chapter carries mandatory force, meaning compliance is required rather than optional. Additionally, basements and attics count as full stories when determining a building's height if they are used or designed for living purposes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating multi-family residential buildings in Connecticut should be familiar with the definitions established under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-355, since these terms govern how the rest of the tenement house chapter applies to their properties. For example, a building rented to three or more independent families sharing common areas such as hallways or stairways qualifies as a tenement house, triggering the chapter's mandatory maintenance standards. Compliant operators generally ensure that any basement or attic used for living purposes is treated as a full story when assessing building requirements under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-355 defines the types of residential buildings—including tenement houses and lodging or boarding houses—that fall under Connecticut's tenement house regulations, which carry mandatory rather than discretionary force. Tenants living in buildings that meet these definitions, such as a home shared by three or more independent families with common hallways or yards, may be entitled to the protections the chapter provides. Those who believe their building qualifies under these definitions and that standards are not being met can explore options such as contacting local housing or health authorities, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information.
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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