Stratford, CT Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)
Key Facts
- Who receives complaints
- Blight Enforcement Officer, Zoning Department
- Operative rule
- Stratford Code § 161-4(A)
- Officer position created
- § 161-3.1, added 2-13-2018, Ord. No. 18-02
- Daily penalty cap
- Not more than $100 per violation, each day separate
- Owner hearing demand
- Written notice within 10 days to the Citation Clerk
- Hearing timing
- Not less than 15 nor more than 30 days from mailing
Summary
In the Town of Stratford, Connecticut, blight complaints go to the Blight Enforcement Officer, who under Stratford Code § 161-4(A) must receive complaints about properties alleged to be blighted premises and inspect them. A cited owner gets written notice with a deadline and a right to a citation hearing.
§ 161-4. Enforcement. A. The Blight Enforcement Officer shall receive complaints of properties alleged to constitute blighted premises and shall inspect same. The Blight Enforcement Officer may cause regular inspections of certain of the blighted premises to be referred to an Enforcement Officer for the purpose of documenting continuous blight and, additionally, may cause to be imposed a penalty of not more than $100 per violation for each day that a blighted premises, as defined in this article, or part thereof, is in violation of this article. Each day a blighted premises, as defined in this article, or part thereof, is in violation of this article shall constitute a separate offense. The Blight Enforcement Officer shall cause the imposition of said penalty by notifying the owner as provided below and forwarding a copy of such notice to the Citation Clerk.
Full Breakdown
Stratford Code § 161-4(A) names the recipient of complaints: the Blight Enforcement Officer shall receive complaints of properties alleged to constitute blighted premises and shall inspect them. Section 161-2 defines that position as one established within the Zoning Department of the Town, and § 161-3.1, added 2-13-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02, provides that the officer serves as assigned by the Mayor. Chapter 161 prints no phone number, web form or office address for filing a complaint, so a resident reports a condition to the Blight Enforcement Officer in the Zoning Department at Town Hall.
What the complaint can lead to is spelled out. After inspecting, the officer can refer regular inspections of certain premises to an Enforcement Officer to document continuous blight. Section 161-2 defines Enforcement Officer as the Town Health Director, the Town Housing Code Enforcement Officer, the Blight Enforcement Officer, or another Town employee with statutory authority to enter private property, appointed by the Mayor to issue fines. That is why documentation from the Fire Department, Police Department or Health Department carries weight for fire hazards, illegal activity and rat infestations.
The officer then notifies the owner and forwards a copy of the notice to the Citation Clerk. Under § 161-5(A) the written notice of citation must describe the conditions that make the premises blighted, state a definite number of days from the notice date to remediate, and state the penalties for noncompliance. A reporter does not appear at a hearing, but under § 161-5(D) the presence of the Enforcement Officer is required if the cited person asks for it.
Violations & Fines
A complaint can end in a penalty of not more than $100 per violation for each day of blight under § 161-4(A), with each day a separate offense. The owner has 10 days from the notice date to demand a hearing in writing, and failing that is deemed to admit liability under § 161-5(C). Unpaid fines become a lien on the real estate under § 161-5(E).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who takes a blight complaint in the Town of Stratford, CT?
Does the code give a phone number or form for reporting blight?
What happens to the owner after a blight complaint is inspected?
Who can document continuing blight after a report?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stratford
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