Norwalk, CT Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Section 59-2 authorizes and directs the Director of Public Health to inspect dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and premises across the city to safeguard occupant and public health, and gives the Director power to enter, examine and survey them at all reasonable times. Owners, occupants or persons in charge must give the Director free access for that purpose, and occupants must also give owners access to make repairs needed to comply with the chapter. When the Director determines there are reasonable grounds for a violation, § 59-3 requires a written notice to the responsible party stating the reason, a reasonable compliance deadline, and an outline of the remedial action needed; notice can be served personally, by certified mail, or posted at the dwelling.

Anyone affected by that notice can pay a fee and file a written petition with the Director within 20 days to get a hearing before a five-member panel of the Code Enforcement Committee, which includes the Building Inspector, Director of Public Health, Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Housing Authority Executive Director, Police Chief, Redevelopment Agency Director, Planning Director and a Council appointee. The panel, sitting within 60 days, can sustain, modify or withdraw the notice, or grant an extension of up to 18 months or a variance if strict compliance would be an unnecessary hardship.

In extreme-danger emergencies, § 59-3H lets the Health Officer contract for repairs within 24 hours, billing the owner up to $500 plus interest, a service charge and a penalty, secured by a lien.