The City of Bridgeport Zoning Regulations require the property owner to occupy either the principal dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit. Connecticut Public Act 21-29 (CGS Section 8-1c) does not require or prohibit owner-occupancy at the state level — it leaves that decision to municipalities. Because Bridgeport did not opt out of the as-of-right framework, an owner-occupancy requirement is generally enforceable as a local zoning standard reasonably related to the use, but the state's silence means it must be applied even-handedly.
Local rule. The Bridgeport Zoning Regulations expressly condition ADU approvals on owner-occupancy of one of the two units. The owner-occupancy covenant is typically memorialized through a deed restriction or recorded affidavit at the Bridgeport Town Clerk's office at the time the zoning compliance certificate is issued, and the Zoning Enforcement Officer monitors compliance. Owners shifting residency must notify the Zoning Department; the city has discretion to suspend the certificate if neither unit is owner-occupied for an extended period. State law. Connecticut Public Act 21-29 (2021), codified at CGS Section 8-1c, requires as-of-right approval of ADUs but is silent on owner-occupancy — it neither requires nor preempts local owner-occupancy rules. Connecticut courts evaluating zoning conditions under CGS Section 8-2 generally uphold owner-occupancy requirements when reasonably related to the residential character of a single-family district. Unlike California (AB 671) and Washington (HB 1337), Connecticut has not preempted local owner-occupancy ordinances. Rental registration. Bridgeport requires registration of rental units under the city's housing code (Chapter 15.12) and the Connecticut Fair Rent Commission framework (CGS Section 7-148b) applies to landlord-tenant relations. The Fairfield County rental market is closely monitored under the federal Fair Housing Act, CGS Section 46a-64c (state fair housing), and the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) — owner-occupancy requirements must not be applied to discriminate on protected bases.
Violating the owner-occupancy condition of an ADU zoning certificate is a zoning violation under CGS Section 8-12 enforceable by the Bridgeport Zoning Enforcement Officer with daily civil fines and possible injunctive relief in Connecticut Superior Court. The Building Department can also revoke the certificate of occupancy. Renting an ADU as an unregistered rental triggers Housing Code citations under Chapter 15.12. Discriminatory application of owner-occupancy in violation of CGS Section 46a-64c is enforceable through CHRO complaints and federal Fair Housing Act actions.
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See how Bridgeport's adu owner occupancy rules stack up against other locations.
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