Bloomfield, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-60
Declaration of unfit dwellings
Operative Text
The director of health shall declare any premises unfit for human habitation when any of the following defects or conditions are found and when in the director's judgment such defect creates a hazard to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or the public: (1) Any premises which is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe and/or vermin-infested and/or contains hazardous levels of lead-based paint or other substance. (2) Any premises which lack basic illumination, ventilation, plumbing, electrical, heating or required sanitation facilities. (3) The general condition of the premises is unsanitary, unsafe, and/or unhealthful. (4) Any premises which is in violation of section 12-30 (a), 12-31 or 12-41 of this chapter. (5) Whenever any premises has been designated as unfit for human habitation, the director of health shall placard the premises indicating that it is unfit for human habitation and, if occupied, shall order such premises vacated within a reasonable time, said time to be not less than twenty-four (24) hours nor more than ten (10) days. This section shall not restrict any action of the director of health in vacating such premises if acting under section 12-59 of this chapter. (6) Whenever any tenant in any premises is displaced as the result of the enforcement of this code, the owner of such building, dwelling, dwelling unit or structure shall be liable for any payments made by the town to any displaced tenant pursuant to the Connecticut Uniform Relocation Assistance Act (URAA). The director of health may place a lien on any real property owned by such owner to secure repayment to the town of such payments, such lien having the same priority as and shall be filed, enforced and discharged in the same manner as a lien for municipal taxes under C.G.S. §§ 12-171 through 12-195h, inclusive. If any owner fails to reimburse the town for any payments which the town has made to any displaced tenant and for which the landlord is liable, the town may bring civil action against such owner in superior court for the recovery of such payments and for the costs of the town, together with reasonable attorney's fees, in bringing such action. (7) Whenever any premises has been placarded and vacated, the director of health may order services and utilities to be turned off or disconnected and all utility meters to be removed. All charges for turning on such services and utilities shall be the owner's expense. (8) For any premises which has been designated as unfit for human habitation and vacated, it shall be the duty of the owner to close all windows, doors, and other openings by suitable means so that unauthorized use or access into the premises is prevented. (9) No premises which has been designated as unfit for human habitation, has been placarded as such and vacated shall be used again for human habitation until written approval is secured from the director of health and the placard removed by the director of health. (10) The director of health shall rescind the designation as unfit for human habitation and remove the placard when the defect or condition upon which such designation and placarding was based has been removed or eliminated and the premises is deemed by the director of health as safe, sanitary and a fit place for human habitation. (11) No person shall deface or remove the placard from any premises which has been designated as unfit for human habitation and has been placarded as such, except as provided in subsection (9). (12) Whenever any premises has been designated as unfit for human habitation, such order shall be filed with the town clerk for inclusion in the land records of the town. (13) Any person affected by any decision of the director of health or by any designation or placarding of a premises as unfit for human habitation shall upon request be granted a hearing on the matter before a citation hearing officer under the procedure set forth in section 12-55 of this chapter. However, such appeal will not stay the designation or placarding of a premises as unfit for human habitation and the actions required by such order.
Bloomfield Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. VIII § 12-60 establishes the process by which the town's director of health may formally declare a dwelling unfit for human habitation. Triggering conditions include physical deterioration, hazardous substances such as lead-based paint, missing basic utilities or sanitation, and violations of related code sections. Once declared unfit, the premises must be placarded, may be ordered vacated within 24 hours to 10 days, and cannot be reoccupied until the director of health lifts the designation in writing. Owners whose tenants are displaced may be held financially liable for relocation assistance payments made by the town under the Connecticut Uniform Relocation Assistance Act.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Bloomfield Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. VIII § 12-60, property owners bear significant financial and operational responsibilities when a dwelling is declared unfit. Compliant operators generally maintain properties free of decay, vermin, hazardous materials, and deficient utility systems to avoid triggering a declaration in the first place. If a declaration is issued, owners are expected to secure the premises against unauthorized entry, cover costs for utility disconnection and reconnection, and reimburse the town for any relocation assistance paid to displaced tenants — with the town authorized to place a lien on the owner's real property or pursue civil action in superior court to recover those costs and attorney's fees.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Bloomfield Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. VIII § 12-60 provides important protections for occupants of dwellings found to be unsafe or unsanitary. If the director of health declares a dwelling unfit and orders it vacated, tenants displaced as a result may be entitled to relocation assistance payments from the town under the Connecticut Uniform Relocation Assistance Act, with the owner ultimately liable for those costs. Any person affected by a declaration or placarding decision has the right to request a hearing before a citation hearing officer under the procedure in § 12-55, though that appeal does not pause the declaration or any required vacating order; tenants may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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