The primary goal of the Housing Section is to ensure safe and sanitary housing and maintain the existing housing stock for all of Norwalk's residents. Housing inspectors provide inspections for residential housing for compliance with the Norwalk Housing Code and State regulations.
Inspections are made within the boundaries of Norwalk on a systematic basis, or through complaints and referrals. Notices of violations are issued as necessary to assure compliance with the housing code. Coordinate services with the Fair Rent/Human Relations Commission, Fair Housing Office, Norwalk Housing Court, Redevelopment Agency and the Neighborhood Housing Services to help rehabilitate substandard housing.
Click here to get related Housing Code Enforcement applications and permits.
Lead Poisoning Prevention
The Norwalk Health Department has integrated lead poisoning prevention and control efforts into the Housing Program. The housing section utilizes trained and certified staff to conduct epidemiological investigations and lead inspections. Children reported with elevated blood lead levels of 20 ug/dl (micrograms per deciliter) or greater consists of immediately initiating an investigation and sampling paint from all deteriorated and/or accessible surfaces in a dwelling unit. These samples are submitted to the Connecticut Department of Public Health for laboratory analysis. Lead inspections are also provided in dwellings where children under the age of six reside as part of routine housing code inspections or as a result of a complaint investigation. Educational material for lead is also provided upon request.
Tenement Registration
Chapter 105 Norwalk City Code
The definition of a tenement house is any house or building, or portion thereof, which is rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or is arranged or designed to be occupied, or is occupied, as the home or residence of three (3) or more families living independently of each other, doing their cooking upon the premises and having a common right in the halls, stairways or yards. The owner of each tenement house located in the City of Norwalk annually shall register with the Department of Health on or before the first day of December of each year on a form furnished by the Department of Health stating name, address, address of such tenement house and the number of apartments contained therein. At the time of registration of such tenement houses the owner thereof shall pay the Department of Health an administrative fee for each such tenement house registered.
Click here to get related Tenement House Registration applications.
Certificates Of Occupancy
Section 30A-1 of the Norwalk City Code states no apartment in any apartment house containing three (3) or more housing units shall be occupied for human habitation, after a vacancy, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Director of Health of this municipality, or by an assistant designated by him to administer the provisions of this section, certifying that such apartment conforms to the requirements of the applicable housing ordinances of this city. Application can be made on a form provided by the Department of Health Housing Section. After the payment of a fee, inspections can be scheduled with a housing inspector and will be made within three (3) working days. The provisions of this ordinance shall not apply to any apartment house occupied by the owner thereof and containing three (3) or less housing units.
Click here to get related Certificate of Occupancy applications.
Rooming House Licensing
The definition of "rooming house" is any dwelling, or the part of any dwelling containing one (1) or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to three (3) or more persons who are not husband or wife, son or daughter, mother or father, or sister or brother of the owner or operator. No person shall operate a rooming house or shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any rooming unit in any rooming house unless he holds a valid rooming house permit issued by the Director of Public Health.
Click here to get related Rooming House Permit application.
Affordable Housing and Relocation
The affordable housing and relocation program continues to assist low and moderate income families to find safe, secure affordable housing within the community. Counseling is provided to families that have been displaced as a result of code enforcement activities, fires, as well as other personal and financial catastrophes.
