§ 20-139. Designation of a building as unfit for human habitation.

The designation of dwellings, dwelling units, roominghouses, rooming units, dormitories, dormitory units, hotels or hotel units as unfit for human habitation shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements:

(1)

Any dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, dormitory, dormitory unit, hotel or hotel unit which shall be found to have any of the following defects may be posted as unfit for human habitation by the Director of Health if the Director determines that repair of the defect is not possible or not possible within a reasonable period of time sufficient to avoid danger to occupants:

a.

One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe and/or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or the public and/or contains lead-based paint, glaze or other surface coverings containing a toxic level of lead which is in violation of the provisions of this Code of Ordinances or of C.G.S. § 19a-111c, or of the provisions of regulations promulgated pursuant to said section.

b.

One which lacks illumination, ventilation, electrical, plumbing, heating or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.

c.

One which because of its general condition is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.

(2)

Any dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, dormitory, dormitory unit, hotel or hotel unit posted as unfit for human habitation by the Director of Health shall be vacated, either temporarily or permanently, within a reasonable time as ordered by the Director of Health. Whenever any dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, dormitory, dormitory unit, hotel or hotel unit has been posted and vacated, the Director of Health shall order services and other utilities to be turned off or disconnected and all utility meters to be removed.

(3)

No dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, hotel or hotel unit which has been posted as unfit for human habitation may again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from, and such poster is removed by, the Director of Health. The Director of Health shall remove such poster whenever the defect or defects upon which the posting was based have been eliminated.

(4)

No person shall deface or remove any poster from any dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, hotel or hotel unit which has been posted as unfit for human habitation except as provided in subsections (1) through (3) of this section. Whoever violates this provision shall be subject to a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00).

(5)

Any person affected by any notice relating to the posting of a dwelling, dwelling unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, hotel or hotel unit as unfit for human habitation may request, and shall be granted, a hearing on the matter before the hearing agency.

(Code 1961, § 10-19; Ord. No. 241, 3-6-1979; Ord. No. 470, 5-4-1993)