Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-6
Maintenance requirements (Norwalk Housing Code)
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof, shall be capable of affording privacy and shall be kept in good repair. B. Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair. C. Every inside and outside stair, every porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be maintained and kept in sound condition and good repair. D. Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks and obstructions. E. Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. F. All rainwater shall be so drained and conveyed from every roof as not to cause dampness in the walls, ceilings or floors of any habitable room, or of any bathroom or water closet compartment. G. All exterior wood surfaces shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint or other protective covering or treatment. H. All walls, ceilings, interior woodwork, doors and windows shall be kept free of flaking, peeling or loose paint. I. Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility which is required under this chapter shall be so constructed or installed that it will function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition. J. No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under this chapter to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling let or occupied by him, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the Director of Public Health. K. No owner shall occupy or let to any other occupant any vacant dwelling unit unless it is in a clean, safe and sanitary condition that complies with the intent of this chapter.
Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-6 sets out a comprehensive list of physical conditions that every dwelling or dwelling unit must meet before it can be occupied or rented. Structural elements such as foundations, walls, roofs, windows, and doors must be weathertight, watertight, and rodentproof and kept in good repair. Plumbing, stairs, porches, and all required utilities must be properly installed and maintained in safe working order, and no required service may be shut off while a unit is occupied except during actual repairs or genuine emergencies approved by the Director of Public Health.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Norwalk are expected to ensure that every dwelling they rent or occupy complies with the structural, plumbing, and maintenance standards set out in Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-6 before a tenant moves in and on an ongoing basis. Compliant operators routinely inspect foundations, roofs, windows, exterior doors, stairs, and plumbing fixtures for weathertightness, rodentproofing, and good repair, and they address defects promptly. They also take care not to discontinue any required utility or service while a unit is occupied, limiting interruptions only to the duration of active repairs or Director of Public Health–approved emergencies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Norwalk, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-6 establishes the baseline habitability conditions that a landlord must maintain throughout a tenancy, covering everything from weathertight walls and roofs to functioning plumbing and uninterrupted utilities. If a tenant believes their unit falls short of these standards—such as rodent entry points, leaking pipes, peeling paint, or a shut-off utility—they may document the conditions and consider raising the violation with Norwalk's Director of Public Health or another appropriate local authority. Tenants can also consult a tenant-rights organization to understand how this provision may apply to their situation and what general enforcement paths, including using a violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, may be available.
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 24, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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