Stratford, CT Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Stratford Code § 120-24 allocates extermination duty by who controls the infestation. Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit is responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests in the dwelling or on the premises. In a dwelling with more than one unit, the occupant is responsible whenever his unit is the only one infested. The owner takes over in two cases: when infestation is caused by the owner's failure to maintain the dwelling in a ratproof or reasonably insectproof condition, and when infestation exists in two or more dwelling units or in the shared or public parts of a dwelling with two or more units.

Chapter 120 defines the terms. "Extermination" is control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating harborage places, by removing or making inaccessible materials that can serve as food, by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or any other recognized and legal method approved by the Director of Health. "Infestation" is the presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents or other pests.

Other sections in the same chapter work on prevention. Section 120-22 requires every occupant to dispose of garbage, and any other organic waste that could provide food for rodents, in a clean and sanitary manner in the garbage facilities or containers required by § 120-27. Section 120-27 requires every dwelling unit to have adequate rubbish storage and garbage disposal facilities approved by the Director of Health. Section 120-28(H) requires every basement or cellar window used for ventilation, and every other opening to a basement that could give rodents entry, to carry a screen or other device that effectively prevents their entrance. Section 120-29(A) requires every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof to be reasonably weathertight and rodentproof and kept in good repair.

The Director of Health inspects and enforces through written notice, a 10-day hearing petition window and orders under §§ 120-3 through 120-11. Complaints to the Board of Health carry the complainant's name and address (§ 120-4). Larvae-breeding material and fly-breeding manure piles are separately declared nuisances under § 120-19.