Bristol, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-181
Definitions
Operative Text
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this ordinance shall be as follows: (1) Commission shall mean the Fair Rent Commission of the City of Bristol, Connecticut. (2) Housing accommodation shall mean any building or structure, wholly or in part, containing living quarters occupied or fairly intended for occupancy as a place of residence, with any land or buildings appurtenant thereto and any services, furniture and facilities supplied in connection therewith except: A hospital, convent, monastery, asylum, public institution, government owned property, or college or school dormitory or any such accommodation which is operated or used exclusively for charitable or educational purposes. (3) Landlord shall mean any person who leases, subleases, rents, permits or suffers the occupancy of any housing accommodation, including a person who manages a housing accommodation owned by someone else. (4) Person shall mean any individual, firm, company, association, corporation or group. (5) Rent shall mean periodic payments to be made to the landlord under a rental agreement. (6) Rental agreement shall mean an agreement, written or oral, and valid rules and regulations embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a housing accommodation. (7) Rental charge includes any fee or charge in addition to rent that is imposed or sought to be imposed upon a tenant by a landlord, and includes any charge that is already in effect. (8) Seasonal basis shall mean housing accommodations rented for a period or periods aggregating not more than one hundred twenty (120) days in any one (1) calendar year. (9) Tenant shall mean any person who leases or rents, whether by written or oral lease who in any other legal way occupies any housing accommodation, as a residence for said person and/or said person's immediate family.
Bristol Code of Ordinances ch. 12, art. XII § 12-181 establishes the foundational vocabulary for Bristol's fair rent ordinance, setting out precise meanings for terms like 'landlord,' 'tenant,' 'rent,' 'rental charge,' and 'housing accommodation.' These definitions determine who and what falls within the ordinance's scope — for example, hospitals, government-owned properties, and college dormitories are explicitly excluded from the definition of 'housing accommodation.' The definition of 'rental charge' is notably broad, capturing fees and charges beyond base rent, including those already in effect at the time the ordinance applies.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 12-181, property owners and managers in Bristol should be aware that the ordinance's definition of 'landlord' extends to anyone who manages a housing accommodation on behalf of an owner, not just the owner themselves. The broad definition of 'rental charge' means that fees and add-ons beyond base rent may fall within the ordinance's reach, so operators generally account for all charges when assessing compliance. Properties rented on a seasonal basis — defined as no more than 120 days in a calendar year — are identified separately, which can affect how certain accommodations are categorized under the ordinance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-181 defines 'tenant' to include anyone who occupies a housing accommodation as a residence under a written or oral lease or any other legal arrangement, which means informal rental situations may still carry protections under Bristol's fair rent ordinance. The definition of 'rental charge' is written broadly enough to cover fees and surcharges beyond base rent, so tenants who believe additional charges are being improperly imposed may have grounds to raise the issue before the Fair Rent Commission of the City of Bristol. Tenants seeking to understand whether their specific housing situation falls within the ordinance's scope — including whether any exclusions apply — may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Bristol's local rules.
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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