New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances tit. V § 400
Definitions (New Haven Housing Code)
Operative Text
For the purposes of this article the following meanings apply: (a) Rooming house has the meaning stated in paragraph 100(v) of this title. (b) Rooming unit has the meaning stated in paragraph 100(w) of this title. (c) Group living residential occupancy means a residential occupancy of a structure by a group of people whose size is larger than the average household size, and with an average length of stay of thirty days or longer. Such structures generally have a common eating area for residents, who may or may not may receive any combination of care, training or treatment while they reside at the site. (d) Community residence means a facility that houses its staff and eight (8) or fewer mentally ill adults, licensed by the State of Connecticut Commissioner of Health Services, which provides supervised, structured group activities and psychosocial rehabilitation and other support services to mentally ill adults discharged from a state-operated or licensed facility or referred by a licensed physician specializing in psychiatry or a licensed psychologist. (e) Operator has the meaning stated in paragraph 100(r) of this title.
Section 400 of New Haven's Code of Ordinances Title V establishes the working definitions that govern the rest of the article on rooming houses and related residential uses. Key terms include 'group living residential occupancy,' which covers structures housing groups larger than the average household with stays of thirty days or more and typically shared eating areas, and 'community residence,' which refers to licensed facilities housing eight or fewer mentally ill adults with supervised rehabilitation services. Other terms—such as 'rooming house,' 'rooming unit,' and 'operator'—are cross-referenced to definitions found elsewhere in Title V, paragraph 100.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating any facility that might fall under New Haven Code § 400 should familiarize themselves with how each defined term applies to their specific type of property, since the definitions determine which regulatory requirements of the article apply. Operators of group living residential occupancies—where residents stay an average of thirty days or longer in a larger-than-average household group—and those running community residences licensed by the State of Connecticut are subject to distinct obligations under the broader article. Compliant operators generally maintain accurate records of occupancy type and licensing status to ensure they are operating under the correct regulatory framework established by § 400 and the cross-referenced provisions in paragraph 100.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of rooming houses, rooming units, group living facilities, or community residences in New Haven should be aware that § 400 sets out the foundational definitions that determine what rules apply to their living situation. For example, a facility housing eight or fewer mentally ill adults with supervised rehabilitation services may qualify as a 'community residence' under this section, which carries specific licensing and service requirements under state and local law. Tenants who believe their housing arrangement is being misclassified—or that their facility is not meeting the standards implied by these definitions—may consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization or the relevant licensing authority for guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.