New Britain, CT Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Chapter 18, Pest Control, carries forward 1970 Code Sections 16-1 through 16-11 nearly unchanged. Sec. 18-1 defines "ratproofing" as sealing every existing and potential rat entry point in exterior walls, ground and first floors, basements, roofs and foundations to a height of 48 inches above grade, using materials impervious to rat gnawing. Sec. 18-2 makes every building's owner responsible for ratproofing it and keeping it rat-free "in a manner satisfactory to the director of health," and bars anyone from removing existing ratproofing or making new unsealed openings.

The director of health inspects under Sec. 18-3 and, on finding infestation evidence or a break, must order the deficiency corrected by written notice. Sec. 18-4 gives the owner at least 15 days from that notice, or any director-granted extension, to finish the work; missing the deadline is itself a violation. Sec. 18-5 gives an owner or occupant only 5 days after written notice of infestation to begin eradication measures, which must continue until the director declares the building rat-free. For occupied buildings with extensive harborage, Sec.

18-6 lets the director close the building until conditions are abated; for unoccupied buildings, the director can act directly after 60 days of noncompliance, with the cost becoming a lien on the property under Secs. 18-6(c) and 18-11. Sec. 18-8 requires feed for chickens, cows, pigs and horses to be stored in rat-free, ratproof containers, and Sec. 18-9 bars letting garbage or trash accumulate so as to feed or harbor rats, requiring metal or heavy plastic containers with tight covers. In a public-health emergency, Sec. 18-10 lets the director summarily abate a rat infestation without prior notice to the owner or occupant.