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Bridgeport, CT Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
buildings with 3+ dwelling units
Trigger
required after each vacancy
Minimum validity
six months
Enforced by
housing code enforcement officer
No certificate =
rent cannot be collected

Summary

Bridgeport requires a certificate of occupancy before any vacant unit in a 3+ unit building can be rented again, and bars collecting rent until it's issued.

An apartment or dwelling unit in any structure containing three or more housing units shall not be occupied for human habitation, after a vacancy, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the authorized representative... The owner or lessor of such structure shall not recover, receive or collect rent or use and occupancy payments for the occupancy of any apartment or dwelling unit for which a certificate of occupancy has not been obtained prior to the rental thereof.

Source: Municode LibraryView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Bridgeport Municipal Code § 15.12.250, apartments or dwelling units in structures with three or more housing units cannot be reoccupied after a vacancy until the housing code enforcement officer issues a certificate of occupancy confirming the unit meets the city's housing and commercial code. Owner-occupied buildings of three units or fewer are exempt. The certificate is valid at least six months and then until the next vacancy, when the cycle repeats. The city sets its own inspection fee schedule.

Violations & Fines

Landlords may not recover, receive, or collect rent for a unit rented without a valid certificate of occupancy; knowingly false statements on the application, and failure to fix code violations, can also void or block the certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every Bridgeport rental need this certificate?
No. It only applies to structures with three or more dwelling units after a vacancy; owner-occupied buildings of three units or fewer are exempt.
What if a landlord rents the unit without one?
They cannot legally collect rent or use-and-occupancy payments for that unit until a valid certificate of occupancy is obtained.
How long is the certificate good for?
At least six months, then it remains valid until the unit is vacated again, at which point a new certificate is required.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bridgeport

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsRepairs & HabitabilitySome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome Restrictions

All Bridgeport rules

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