Enfield, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. IV § 14-174
Exemptions
Operative Text
(a) The following properties shall be exempt from the application of section 14-172 (3)c and (3)d: (1) Agricultural lands pursuant to G.S. § 22-3(b). (2) Land dedicated as public open space. (3) Land preserved in its natural state through conservation easements or conservation restrictions. (4) Areas designated as buffers by land use agencies. (5) Upland review areas, wetlands and watercourses. (6) Lots with slopes in excess of 15 degrees or escarpments left to grow wild provided they are keeping with the established setting and natural character of the neighborhood. (7) Motor vehicle recycler's yards licensed pursuant to G.S. § 14-67i that are not in violation of any zoning regulations of the Town of Enfield. (b) One inoperable or unsightly motor vehicle shall be allowed on any premises, provided the motor vehicle shall be rendered safe. The motor vehicle's exterior shall be fully intact and shall be locked or otherwise secured. The motor vehicle shall be free of jagged, sharp, or protruding metal or glass parts. The motor vehicle shall be covered and secured by a motor vehicle cover designed for such use. Tarps or other plastic covers are not acceptable. (c) Farms are exempt from the application of section 14-172 (3)f.
Section 14-174 of the Enfield Code of Ordinances carves out specific categories of land and property from certain nuisance or property-maintenance requirements found in section 14-172. Exempt categories include agricultural lands, public open space, conservation-easement land, designated buffer areas, wetlands, steep slopes left in a natural state, and licensed motor vehicle recyclers' yards that comply with zoning. Additionally, one inoperable or unsightly vehicle is permitted on any premises under defined conditions—it must be structurally intact, locked, free of hazardous edges, and covered with a purpose-made vehicle cover rather than a tarp. Farms also receive a separate exemption from the requirements of section 14-172(3)(f).
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Enfield should be aware that section 14-174 limits the reach of certain section 14-172 obligations, meaning compliant operators identify whether their land qualifies as an exempt category—such as conservation-easement land, a designated buffer, or a licensed recycler's yard in good zoning standing—before applying the general maintenance standards. For operators who store an inoperable or unsightly vehicle on-site, section 14-174(b) sets clear conditions: the vehicle must be fully intact on the exterior, locked or secured, free of sharp or jagged metal or glass, and covered with a motor-vehicle-specific cover; tarps and plastic sheeting do not satisfy this requirement. Farm operators should note the separate exemption under section 14-174(c) from the requirements of section 14-172(3)(f).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living near or on properties in Enfield that fall into one of the exempt categories listed in section 14-174—such as land under a conservation easement, a designated buffer zone, or a steep natural slope—should understand that the property owner may not be subject to the same section 14-172 maintenance obligations that apply elsewhere. If a tenant believes a vehicle stored on the premises does not meet the conditions set out in section 14-174(b)—for example, it is covered with a tarp rather than a proper vehicle cover, or it has exposed sharp parts—that potential non-compliance with the ordinance may be worth raising with the Town of Enfield's code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local Enfield ordinances can help residents understand how these exemptions interact with habitability or nuisance concerns in a given rental context.
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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