Killingly, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. III § 4-55
Use restrictions
Operative Text
Section 4-55 Use restrictions
A. No cellar space shall be used as a dwelling unit.
B. No basement space shall be used as a dwelling unit or habitable room unless:
(1) Said basement space complies with the standards of this code for dwelling units.
(2) The total amount of window area in each room in said basement is equal to at least the minimum
window area sizes as required in § 4-61 and such required minimum window area is located entirely
above the grade of the ground adjoining such window area. Windows for rescue and ventilation must
meet the State of Connecticut Building Code.
C. No cellar space shall be used as a habitable room unless:
(1) The floors and walls of said cellar space are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff
water and are insulated against dampness.
(2) The ceiling height of such room or rooms complies with § 4-61E of this code.
(3) Said cellar space complies with the lighting and ventilation standards for habitable rooms as contained in
this code.
(4) Said cellar space complies with the means of egress standards in this code.
(5) No cellar space shall be used as a sleeping room unless it complies with the egress requirements from
the State of Connecticut Building Code.
D. No kitchen, non-habitable space or public space shall be used for sleeping purposes.
E. Permit to create or modify existing dwelling.
(1) No dwelling unit shall be created within an existing structure or converted, remodeled or altered so as to
create an additional dwelling unit unless the Zoning Enforcement Officer has determined that it is in
conformity with the Town of Killingly and/or the Borough of Danielson Zoning Regulations, and has
issued a written permit certifying to same. No dwelling unit shall be created within an existing structure
or converted, remodeled or altered so as to create an additional dwelling unit unless the Building
Inspector has issued a written permit that the plans and specifications for such work indicate that the
provisions of the State Building Code will be complied with for all dwelling units affected.
(2) No such dwelling unit shall be occupied unless:
(a) The Fire Marshal of the Town of Killingly has examined the premise(s) for conformance to the fire
and safety codes of the state and town and issued an inspection report certifying that the dwelling
units comply with such codes; and
(b) A certificate of compliance has been issued by the Town of Killingly Department of Planning and
Development and a certificate of occupancy is issued by the Town of Killingly Building Department.Section 4-55 of the Killingly Rental Housing Standards Code establishes where people may and may not live within a building. Cellar spaces are broadly prohibited as dwelling units, and may only serve as habitable rooms if they meet strict standards for waterproofing, ceiling height, lighting, ventilation, and egress—including state-level egress requirements for sleeping rooms. Basement spaces may be used as dwelling units or habitable rooms only when they satisfy the code's window-area, lighting, and ventilation requirements. Additionally, creating, converting, or remodeling any space into a new dwelling unit requires written permits from the Zoning Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector, a fire safety inspection by the Fire Marshal, and a certificate of compliance and occupancy before anyone may move in.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 4-55, compliant operators in Killingly do not rent out cellar or basement spaces unless those spaces demonstrably meet all applicable standards for waterproofing, ceiling height, window area, lighting, ventilation, and egress as specified in the code. Before creating or converting any space into a new dwelling unit, operators obtain written permits from both the Zoning Enforcement Officer and the Building Inspector, and they do not allow occupancy until the Fire Marshal has issued an inspection report and the Town of Killingly Department of Planning and Development and Building Department have issued the required certificates. Kitchens, non-habitable spaces, and public spaces are never made available for sleeping purposes under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4-55 gives tenants in Killingly the right to live in spaces that meet minimum habitability standards—cellar and basement units are only lawful if they satisfy specific requirements for waterproofing, natural light, ventilation, ceiling height, and safe egress. If a tenant believes their unit is a cellar or basement space that does not meet these standards, they may raise a code violation as a defense in housing proceedings, file a complaint with the Town of Killingly's code enforcement or Building Department, or contact a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance. Tenants can also ask to see the certificates of compliance and occupancy that § 4-55(E) requires before any converted or newly created dwelling unit may be occupied.
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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