Wallingford, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 167 (2026) § 167-5
Minimum standards for light, ventilation and egress (Wallingford Rental Housing Code)
Operative Text
No person shall 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 habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly outdoors. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable room shall be not less than 8% of the usable floor area of such room. Wherever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any such room, and such light-obstructing structures are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area. Whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of such room, the total window area of such skylight shall equal at least 8% of the total usable floor area of such room. B. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can be easily opened, or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total of openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least 45% of the minimum window area size, or minimum skylight-type window size, as required in Subsection A , except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and approved by the appropriate authority. C. Every bathroom and toilet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in Subsections A and B , except that no window or skylight shall be required in adequately ventilated bathrooms and toilet compartments equipped with a ventilation system which is in compliance with the State Building Code. D. Every dwelling unit and all public and common areas shall be supplied with electrical receptacles and fixtures which shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition and shall be connected to the source of electric power in a manner prescribed by the ordinances, rules and regulations of the municipality. The capacity of such services, and the number of outlets and fixtures, shall be as follows: (1) Every habitable room shall have outlets and/or fixtures capable of providing at least three watts per square foot of floor area. The use of extension cords is prohibited. (2) Every habitable room shall have at least one floor- or wall-type duplex electric convenience receptacle. Any receptacle that is above any electric baseboard heat shall not be utilized. Every toilet compartment, bathroom, kitchen or kitchenette, laundry room and furnace room shall contain at least one supplied ceiling- or wall-type electric light fixture and at least one floor- or wall-type electric convenience outlet, except that kitchens or kitchenettes shall have at least one duplex electric convenience outlets in addition to one dedicated for a refrigerator. All receptacle outlets installed within six feet of the kitchen sink, pantry sink and lavatory sink shall have ground fault circuit interrupted (GFCI) protection. (3) Convenient switches for turning on one light in each room or passageway shall be located so as to permit the area ahead to be lighted. (4) Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with a minimum of 60 amperes of electric service. E. Every common hallway and stairway in every multiple dwelling shall be adequately lighted by natural or artificial light at all times so as to provide at least six footcandles of light at the tread or floor level. Every common hallway and stairway in structures containing not more than two dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches, controlling an adequate lighting system, which may be turned on when needed, instead of full-time lighting. F. Every sleeping room shall have at least one operable window or exterior door approved for emergency egress or rescue. The units must be operable from the inside to a full clear opening without the use of separate tools. Where windows are provided as a means of egress or rescue, they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor. The minimum net clear opening height dimension shall be 24 inches. The minimum net clear opening width dimension shall be 20 inches.
Wallingford, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 167 § 167-5 establishes baseline physical standards that every rental dwelling or dwelling unit must meet before it can lawfully be occupied. Each habitable room must receive adequate natural light through a qualifying window or skylight covering at least 8% of the floor area, and must also have openable ventilation equal to at least 45% of that window area unless an approved mechanical system is provided. Electrical systems must be properly installed and maintained to specified capacity minimums, common areas must be lit to at least six footcandles, and every sleeping room must have an operable emergency egress opening meeting defined size and height requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators renting residential units in Wallingford are expected to verify, before any tenancy begins, that each dwelling meets every requirement set out in § 167-5. In practice, compliant operators confirm that habitable rooms have qualifying window or skylight area of at least 8% of usable floor space, that ventilation openings or approved mechanical systems are functional, that electrical service meets the 60-ampere minimum with properly installed outlets and GFCI protection where required, that common hallways and stairways achieve at least six footcandles of illumination, and that every sleeping room contains an operable egress window or door with a sill no higher than 44 inches and clear opening dimensions of at least 24 inches by 20 inches. Routine inspections and maintenance records help demonstrate ongoing compliance with each subsection of § 167-5.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Wallingford rentals are entitled under § 167-5 to habitable rooms with adequate natural light, proper ventilation, safe and sufficient electrical service, lit common areas, and operable emergency egress in every sleeping room. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards—such as a bedroom window that cannot open, insufficient electrical outlets, or a dimly lit stairwell—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and contacting the appropriate municipal authority to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Connecticut housing code can help explain how § 167-5 requirements may be raised in conversations with a landlord or in relevant administrative or legal proceedings.
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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