Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-50
Definitions.
Operative Text
The following terms, when used in this chapter, are defined as follows: (1) A “tenement house” means any house or building, or portion thereof, which is rented, leased 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) A “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) A “dwelling unit” or an “apartment” means any house or building, or portion thereof, which is rented, leased or hired out to be occupied, or is occupied as a home or residence of one or more persons; (4) A “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) A “court” means an open, unoccupied space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a tenement house; (6) A “public hall” means a hall, corridor or passageway not within an apartment or dwelling unit; (7) A “basement” means a story partly, but not more than one-half, below the level of the grade; (8) A “cellar” means a story more than one-half below the level of the grade; (9) 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; (10) 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; (11) “Enforcing agency” means the board of health or other authority designated to enforce the provisions of this chapter or a local housing code.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-50 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Connecticut's housing chapter, setting out precise meanings for terms such as "tenement house," "dwelling unit," "lodging house," "basement," "cellar," and "enforcing agency." These definitions determine how the law categorizes different types of residential properties and spaces, which in turn affects which rules and obligations apply to each. The section also clarifies that the word "shall" carries mandatory force whenever it appears in the chapter, meaning compliance is required rather than optional.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Connecticut should be familiar with the definitions established in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-50, because the category into which a property falls—whether a tenement house, lodging house, or dwelling unit—determines which regulatory requirements apply to it. Compliant operators generally ensure that their properties are accurately classified under these definitions, since misclassification can affect obligations around maintenance, habitability, and enforcement. Knowing how spaces like basements, cellars, and public halls are defined under § 47a-50 also helps operators understand which areas of a building are subject to specific housing standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-50 provides the definitional framework that underlies Connecticut's residential housing protections, meaning the rights and remedies available to a tenant may depend on how their home is classified under this section—for example, whether it qualifies as a dwelling unit or falls within a tenement or lodging house. Tenants who believe their housing conditions may implicate these definitions can consult the local board of health or designated enforcing agency, which § 47a-50 identifies as the body responsible for enforcing the chapter. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how these definitions interact with broader housing code protections.
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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