As used in this chapter, unless otherwise distinctly expressed:
(a) “Hotel” means an establishment, whether designated as a hotel or motel or by any other name, kept, used, maintained, advertised or held out to the public to be a place where sleeping accommodations are offered for a consideration to guests, in which five or more rooms are used for the accommodation of guests, whether such rooms are in one or several structures.
(b) “Occupancy” means the use or possession, or the right to the use or possession, of any room or space or portion thereof, in any hotel for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes. The use or possession of, or the right to use or possess, any room or suite of connecting rooms, as office space, banquet, or private dining rooms, or exhibit, sample, or display space, shall not be considered occupancy within the meaning of this definition, unless the person exercising occupancy uses or possesses, or has the right to use or possess, all or any portion of such room or suite of rooms for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes.
(c) “Operator” means a person who is the proprietor of the hotel, whether in the capacity of owner, lessee, licensee or any other capacity. Where the operator performs his or her functions through a managing agent of any kind, other than an employee, such managing agent shall be deemed an operator for the purposes of this chapter and shall have the same duties and liabilities as his or her principal. Compliance with this chapter by either the principal or the managing agent shall, however, be considered to be compliance by both.
(d) “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, joint stock company, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, trustee, syndicate or any other group or combination acting as a unit.
(e) “Rent” means the consideration received for occupancy valued in money, whether received in money or otherwise, including all receipts, cash, credits, and property or services of any kind and also any amount for which the occupant is liable for the occupancy without any deduction therefrom whatsoever.
(f) “Transient guest” means a person occupying a room for sleeping accommodations for less than thirty consecutive days.
(Ord. 2007-15. Passed 12-18-07.)