Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-51
(Formerly Sec. 19-343). Sanitary regulations.
Operative Text
(a) Each tenement, lodging or boarding house, and each part thereof, shall be kept clean and free from any accumulation of dirt, filth, garbage or other matter, in or on the house or part thereof, or in the yards, courts, passages, areas or alleys connected with or belonging to the same. The owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of each tenement, lodging or boarding house, or part of such house, shall cleanse thoroughly all rooms, passages, stairs, floors, windows, doors, walls, ceilings, privies, water closets, cesspools, drains, halls, cellars and roofs and all other parts of such house, or the part of such house of which he is owner, tenant, lessee or occupant, to the approval of the board of health or enforcing agency, and shall keep the same in a clean condition at all times. (b) The owner of each tenement house shall provide, for such building, suitable receptacles for, or conveniences for the disposal of, garbage, ashes and rubbish. (c) Each building used as a tenement, lodging or boarding house and all parts thereof shall be kept in good repair. (d) The roof of each tenement, lodging or boarding house shall be so kept as not to leak, and all rain water shall be so drained and conveyed from the roof as to prevent its dripping onto the ground or causing dampness in the walls, ceilings, yards or areas. (e) No horse, cow, calf, swine, poultry, sheep or goat shall be kept in or near any tenement, lodging or boarding house, unless stabled at least twenty feet distant from such tenement, lodging or boarding house, and then only when such stabling is not detrimental to health, in the opinion of the board of health or enforcing agency. (f) A tenement, lodging or boarding house, or any part thereof, shall not be used for the handling, keeping or storing of combustible articles or rags, or any other articles, in a manner deemed by the board of health or enforcing agency to be dangerous or detrimental to health.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-51 establishes comprehensive sanitary and maintenance standards for tenement, lodging, and boarding houses in Connecticut. The law requires that these properties be kept clean and free of dirt, filth, and garbage throughout all interior and exterior areas, and that all structural components—including roofs, walls, and drainage systems—be maintained in good repair. It also restricts the storage of combustible materials and limits the keeping of livestock near such dwellings, with compliance determined by the local board of health or enforcing agency.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-51, property owners of tenement, lodging, or boarding houses are generally expected to provide suitable garbage and refuse receptacles, maintain all parts of the building in good repair, and ensure roofs are watertight with proper drainage. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections of common areas, yards, passages, and structural elements to prevent accumulation of waste or deterioration. Owners also generally avoid allowing the storage of combustible materials or rags in ways that a board of health or enforcing agency might deem hazardous.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-51 places sanitary and maintenance obligations on owners, tenants, lessees, and occupants alike, meaning tenants share responsibility for keeping their portion of a dwelling clean and in compliance with local health standards. If a landlord is failing to meet their obligations under this provision—such as neglecting roof repairs or failing to provide garbage receptacles—tenants may have the option of raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding or filing a complaint with the local board of health or enforcing agency. Tenant-rights organizations in Connecticut can help residents understand which enforcement paths may be available under § 47a-51.
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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