New Haven, CT Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- New Haven Housing Code, Title V
- Single-unit duty
- Occupant exterminates
- Multi-unit spread
- Owner exterminates
- Owner default trigger
- Building not ratproof/insect-proof
Summary
New Haven's Housing Code splits pest extermination duty between occupant and owner depending on whether the infestation is dwelling-wide.
In addition to duties specified elsewhere in this title, every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests therein or on the premises; and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling containing more than one (1) dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his dwelling unit is the only dwelling unit within the dwelling that is infested.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in a ratproof or reasonably insectproof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists, in two (2) or more of the dwelling units in any dwelling, or in the shared or common parts of any dwelling containing two (2) or more dwelling units, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner.
(Ord. of 7-1-57, §§ 8.0, 8.6; Ord. of 11-16-92)
Par. 310. - No required facilities to be removed, discontinued.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
Under the Housing Code, an occupant of a single-unit dwelling is responsible for exterminating insects, rodents, or other pests in the unit or on the premises. In a multi-unit dwelling, an occupant is responsible only when their own unit is the sole one infested. Once infestation spreads to two or more units, or to shared common areas, responsibility shifts to the owner. The owner is also responsible whenever the infestation traces back to the owner's failure to keep the building ratproof or reasonably insect-proof in the first place.
Violations & Fines
Failing to exterminate pests when the duty falls on you, occupant or owner, is a Housing Code violation enforceable by the city's housing enforcing officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to exterminate pests in a New Haven rental?
Is the landlord ever responsible for pest control in New Haven?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Haven
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Rodent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle rodent control.