Old Saybrook, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 166 (2026) § 166-17

A. Repairs and other corrective action. (1) Whenever an owner, operator, or agent of a dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit fails, neglects, or refuses to make repairs or other corrective action called for by the order or notice of violation issued pursuant to § 166-15A the Board of Selectmen may undertake such repairs or action, when in its judgment a failure to make them will endanger the public health, safety, or welfare, and the cost of such repairs and action will not exceed 50% of the fair market value of the structure to be repaired. (2) Notice of the intention to make such repairs or take other corrective action shall be served upon the owner, operator or agent pursuant to § 166-15 ; or upon the resident agent of the owner, as designated agent for service pursuant to § 166-13H . (3) Every owner, operator, or agent of a dwelling, dwelling unit, or rooming unit, who has received notice of the intention of the Board of Selectmen to make repairs or take other corrective action shall give entry and free access to the agent of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of making such repairs. Any owner, operator, or agent of a dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit who refuses, impedes, interferes with or hinders, or obstructs entry by such agent pursuant to a notice of intention to make repairs or take other corrective action shall be subject to the penalties in § 166-16 for each such failure to comply with this section. (4) When repairs are made or other corrective action taken at the direction of the Board of Selectmen, cost of such repairs and corrective action shall constitute a debt in favor of the Town of Old Saybrook against the owner of the repaired structure. In the event such owner fails, neglects, or refuses to pay the Town of Old Saybrook the amount of this debt, it shall be recoverable in a civil action against the owner or his successor, brought in a court of competent jurisdiction by the Town of Old Saybrook, which shall possess all rights of a private creditor. B. Designation of unfit dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses and rooming units: (1) Any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit shall be designated as unfit for human habitation when any of the following defects or conditions is found, and when, in the judgment of the Board of Selectmen, pursuant to § 166-12A , such defect creates a hazard to health safety or welfare of the occupants or of the public: (a) Is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, and/or vermin-infested and/or contains hazardous levels of lead-based paint or other substance. (b) Lacks illumination, ventilation and/or required sanitation facilities. (c) The general condition of location is unsanitary, unsafe and/or unhealthful. (2) Whenever any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit has been designated as unfit for human habitation, the Board of Selectmen or its designated agent pursuant to § 166-12A shall placard the dwelling, dwelling unit, or rooming unit, indicating that it is unfit for human habitation, and, if occupied, shall order the dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit vacated within a reasonable time. Such time shall be defined by circumstances but shall not exceed five days. Whenever any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit has been placarded and vacated the Board of Selectmen or its designated agent pursuant to § 166-12A shall order services, and utilities to be turned off or disconnected and all utility meters to be removed. (3) No dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit which has been designated as unfit for human habitation, has been placarded as such and vacated shall be used again for human habitation until written approval is secured from the Board of Selectmen and the placard removed by the Board of Selectmen. (4) The Board of Selectmen shall rescind the designation as unfit for human habitation and remove the placard when the defect or condition upon which such designation and placarding was based has been removed or eliminated and the dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit is deemed by the Board of Selectmen as a safe, sanitary, and fit place for human habitation. (5) No person shall willfully deface or remove the placard from any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit which has been designated as unfit for human habitation and has been placarded as such, except as provided in Subsection B(4) above. Whoever violates this provision shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine as provided in § 166-16 . (6) Any person affected by any decision of the Board of Selectmen or by any designation or placarding of a dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit as unfit for human habitation shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Housing Code Appeals Board under the procedure set forth in § 166-19 of this code. C. Demolition of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses or rooming units designated as unfit for human habitation. (1) The Board of Selectmen shall order a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit to be demolished if it has been designated as unfit for human habitation, has been placarded as such, has been vacated, has not been put into proper repair so as to rescind the designation as unfit for human habitation and to cause the placard to be removed, and is determined by the Board of Selectmen not to warrant repair under Subsection A(1) of this § 166-17 . (2) The owner of any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit which has been ordered demolished shall be given notice of this order in the manner provided for service of notice in § 166-15 and shall be given a reasonable time, not to exceed 90 days, to demolish such structure. (3) Any owner aggrieved by the notice to demolish may within 30 days seek a reconsideration of the matter in the manner hereinafter provided, and may seek a hearing in the manner provided in § 166-19 . (4) When the owner fails, neglects, or refuses to demolish an unfit, unsafe, or unsanitary dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit within the requisite time, the Board of Selectmen may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a demolition order. The court may grant such order when no reconsideration or hearing on the matter is pending. If the cost of such demolition shall create a debt in favor of the Town of Old Saybrook against such owner, such costs shall be recoverable in a civil action brought by the Town of Old Saybrook which shall possess all the rights of a private creditor. (5) Whenever a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit is demolished, whether carried out by the owner or by the Board of Selectmen, such demolition shall include the filling in of the excavation on which the demolished dwelling or rooming house was located in such manner as to eliminate all potential danger to the public health, safety, or welfare arising from such excavation. (6) All demolition shall be preceded by an inspection of the premises by the Board of Selectmen to determine whether or not extermination procedures are necessary. If the premises are found to be infested, appropriate rat extermination to prevent the spread of rats to adjoining or other areas shall be instituted before, during and after demolition.