§ 20-175. Certificate of occupancy requirement.

(a)

No dwelling unit in any dwelling containing three (3) or more dwelling units shall be occupied for human habitation, after a vacancy, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Director of Health, certifying that such dwelling unit conforms to the requirements of the applicable housing ordinances of this City and to the Connecticut General Statutes; provided, that no provision of this section shall be construed to prohibit human occupancy of such dwelling unit during the pendency of an application for such certificate. No provision of this section shall apply to any structure occupied by the owner thereof and containing three (3) or less housing units. Any person aggrieved by the refusal of a certificate of occupancy may appeal to the court of competent jurisdiction within which the dwelling unit is located, and such appeal shall be privileged.

(b)

No rent shall be recoverable by the owner or lessor of such dwelling for the occupancy of any dwelling unit for which a certificate of occupancy has not been obtained prior to the rental thereof in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

(c)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any such structure which has been constructed within a period of ten (10) years next preceding the date when such certificate of occupancy would otherwise be required hereunder.

(d)

The Director of Health may set a reasonable schedule of fees which are to be paid prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy required by this section, subject to its approval and adoption by a resolution of the City Council.

(Code 1961, § 10-10; Ord. No. 241, 3-6-1979; Ord. No. 254, § 4, 3-4-1980; Ord. No. 342, 1-6-1987; Ord. No. 464, 5-4-1993; Ord. No. 468, 5-4-1993)