Hartford County, CT Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Because Connecticut abolished county government in 1960, Hartford County does not exist as a regulatory body and cannot adopt occupancy rules. Connecticut also has no statewide short-term rental occupancy cap; the state has no general STR preemption statute. Occupancy is governed at two levels. First, the Connecticut State Building Code and State Fire Safety Code (adopted under CGS Chapter 541) set minimum room and egress dimensions and apply uniformly statewide; the State Fire Marshal's office enforces fire-load occupancy in lodging uses. Second, each Hartford-area town such as the City of Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, Bristol, New Britain, Enfield, and Glastonbury sets its own STR ordinance and may impose specific overnight-guest caps, often expressed as two guests per bedroom plus two, or tied to bedroom area under the State Building Code. The City of Hartford regulates STRs through its zoning code; check current numbers with the Hartford Department of Development Services. For other Hartford-area towns, contact the local land-use or zoning enforcement officer.