New Britain, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 13 § 13-148
Ratproofing
Operative Text
(a) All openings in the exterior walls, foundations, basements, ground or first floors, and roofs which have an opening which is one-half inch or more in diameter shall be ratproofed in an approved manner if they are within forty-eight (48) inches of the existing exterior ground level immediately below such openings, or if such openings can be reached by rats from the ground by climbing unguarded pipes, wires, cornices, stairs, roofs and other means, such as trees or lines, or by burrowing. (b) Skirting, lattice, or other non-rat-proof enclosures that can create a harboring place for rats under a porch or under any other portions of a building shall be rat-proofed at all locations where a rat could find, burrow, or gnaw an access opening. (c) In the event that occupancy usages would result in the stacking or piling of materials, the materials shall be so arranged as to prohibit the creation of a harbor for rats. This can be accomplished by orderly stacking and elevating such material so that there will be an eighteen (18) inch opening between the material and ground level. No materials shall be stacked or piled against the exterior walls of a structure. (d) All doors, including swinging, sliding and folding types, shall be constructed so that the space between the lower edge of the door and the threshold shall not exceed three-eighths (⅜) inch. It is provided further that the space between sections of folding and sliding doors when closed shall not exceed three-eighths (⅜) inch. (e) Poisons used for rodent control shall be those materials that are acceptable to the director of health. (f) If the space between two (2) buildings is too small to permit inspection of the exterior walls of such a building, such space shall be sealed so as to prevent the entrance of rats. Provisions shall be made in the ratproofing in such cases that drainage is not obstructed.
New Britain Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. II, div. 7 § 13-148 establishes detailed physical standards for preventing rat entry into and around buildings. The rule covers exterior wall openings, foundation gaps, doors, under-porch enclosures, and narrow spaces between buildings, requiring that each potential rat-entry point be sealed or constructed to deny access. It also governs how materials are stored on a property and specifies that any rodent poisons used must be approved by the director of health.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 13-148, compliant property operators generally inspect all exterior openings within 48 inches of ground level and seal any gap of one-half inch or more in an approved manner, and ensure that doors are fitted so the gap beneath them does not exceed three-eighths of an inch. Operators also arrange stored materials in orderly stacks elevated at least 18 inches off the ground and kept away from exterior walls, and they ratproof any skirting, lattice, or porch enclosures that could harbor rodents. When narrow spaces between buildings prevent inspection, those spaces are sealed against rat entry while maintaining drainage, and any rodenticide used on the property is limited to materials acceptable to the director of health.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 13-148 gives tenants a basis to identify potential code violations when a rental unit or its surrounding structure has unsealed exterior gaps, ill-fitting doors, or under-porch enclosures that could allow rat entry or harboring. Tenants who observe conditions that appear to fall short of these standards may document them and report concerns to the appropriate local code enforcement or health authority in New Britain. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how a landlord's failure to meet the ratproofing requirements of § 13-148 might be raised in a housing or health complaint proceeding.
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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