ADU Owner Occupancy: New Haven vs North Haven

Do I have to live on-site to rent out an ADU in New Haven?

No. Connecticut PA 21-29 (CGS Section 8-1c) bars New Haven from imposing owner-occupancy as a precondition for an as-of-right ADU because the city did not opt out by January 1, 2023. The New Haven Zoning Ordinance also does not require owner-occupancy. Owners may rent both the principal dwelling and the ADU to non-owner tenants, subject to New Haven's housing code inspection program administered by the Livable City Initiative (LCI) and the Connecticut Landlord-Tenant Act (CGS Chapter 830).

Can New Haven add an owner-occupancy rule later?

Only by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Alders to opt out of PA 21-29 within the statutory window, which closed January 1, 2023. The Connecticut General Assembly has not extended the opt-out window. New Haven may still adopt objective standards (size limits, setbacks, parking, height) for ADUs that are consistent with PA 21-29, but cannot reimpose owner-occupancy or family-relationship requirements as a precondition for the state-authorized as-of-right ADU. Private condominium declarations under CGS Chapter 825 remain enforceable.