Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a § 47a-55
(Formerly Sec. 19-347). Enforcement. Penalties.
Operative Text
(a) The board of health of each town, city or borough shall enforce the provisions of this part, and the board of health is given authority for such purpose. Any such town, city or borough may by ordinance duly adopted by its legislative body designate another authority or authorities to exercise concurrent or exclusive jurisdiction in the enforcement of this part. All duties imposed and powers conferred by this part upon boards of health shall devolve upon the health authority or such other designated authority or authorities of each city, borough or town by whatever name such health or other authority or authorities may be known. Nothing in this part shall be construed to abrogate or impair the powers of a local board of health, or of the courts, or any such other lawful authority, to enforce any provision of any city or borough charter or health ordinances and regulations not inconsistent with this part, or to prevent or punish for violations thereof. (b) Each person who violates or assists in violating, or fails to comply with, any of said provisions or any legal order of a board of health or such other authority made under any of said provisions, for which no other penalty is provided, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both. (c) Each person who continues to violate or assist in violating, or who continues to fail or refuse to comply with, any of said provisions after having been convicted of violating or assisting in violating any of said provisions, or of failing to comply therewith, for which no other penalty is provided, shall, upon a subsequent conviction, be imprisoned not more than one year.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-55 establishes how Connecticut's minimum housing standards are enforced and what penalties apply for violations. Local boards of health hold primary enforcement authority, though municipalities may designate other agencies to share or take over that role. A first violation can result in a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both; repeat offenders who continue to violate the law after a prior conviction face up to one year of imprisonment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Connecticut's minimum housing standards should be aware that under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-55, both local boards of health and any other authority a municipality designates can inspect and issue legal orders. Compliant operators generally respond promptly to any official notices or orders, correct cited conditions within required timeframes, and keep records of remediation efforts. Continued non-compliance after a conviction carries significantly steeper criminal penalties than a first offense, making timely correction a standard practice in property management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-55 gives tenants a basis for understanding who enforces Connecticut's minimum housing standards and what consequences landlords face for non-compliance. If a rental unit has conditions that may violate those standards, tenants can contact the local board of health or whichever municipal authority has been designated to enforce this part. Tenant-rights organizations in Connecticut can help residents understand available complaint processes, including how a landlord's failure to comply with a legal order issued under § 47a-55 may be relevant in housing court proceedings.
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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