Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a § 19a-361
(Formerly Sec. 19-365). Basement living rooms.
Operative Text
In tenement houses, no room in the cellar or in the basement shall be constructed, altered, converted or occupied for living purposes, unless all of the following conditions are complied with: (1) Such room shall be at least seven feet six inches high, in each part, from the floor to the ceiling; (2) the ceiling of such room shall be at least four feet and six inches above the surface of the street or ground outside of or adjoining the same; (3) all walls surrounding such room shall be damp-proof; (4) the floor of such room shall be damp-proof and waterproof.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-361, cellar and basement rooms in tenement houses may only be used for living purposes if they meet a set of minimum structural conditions: a ceiling height of at least seven feet six inches throughout, a ceiling elevation of at least four feet six inches above the adjacent ground or street level, and walls, floors, and ceilings that are damp-proof and waterproof. The rule applies regardless of whether the space is newly built, altered, converted, or simply occupied. Any basement or cellar living space that falls short of these requirements is not lawfully habitable under this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-361 sets clear baseline standards that property owners of tenement houses must satisfy before any cellar or basement space can be rented or occupied as a living unit. Compliant operators generally verify that the room achieves the required ceiling height in every part of the space, confirm that the ceiling clears the outside grade by the required margin, and ensure that all surrounding walls as well as the floor have been constructed or treated to be damp-proof and waterproof. Documenting these conditions through inspection records and construction specifications is a common practice among operators seeking to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-361 establishes minimum habitability conditions for basement and cellar rooms in tenement houses, and tenants living in such spaces have an interest in knowing whether those conditions are met. If a basement unit appears to fall short—for example, if ceilings seem lower than required or if dampness or water intrusion is present—tenants may consider contacting Connecticut's local housing or building code enforcement office to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations in Connecticut can also help residents understand how this provision may relate to broader habitability protections and what general options exist for raising a concern.
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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