(a) Definitions.
Innkeeper. Any person engaged in the ownership or operation of hotels, motels, inns, tourist homes, tourist camps and similar types of businesses and persons who rent private residences and cottages to transients (hereafter jointly "hotel"). The term innkeeper includes the proprietor or any other person who has the right to rent rooms within the hotel including clerks and other employees and agents of the hotel owner or operator.
Guest. Any person renting or otherwise using or inhabiting a sleeping room or living room unit in a hotel.
(b) Numbering of rooms. Every innkeeper shall at all times number and designate all sleeping room or living room units in the hotel in a plain, conspicuous manner. Such number or designation shall be placed on the outside of each sleeping room or living room unit, and no two units shall bear the same number, unless also clearly designated as to building, wing, or other identifier.
(c) Guest register. Every innkeeper shall at all times keep and maintain on the premises of hotel a guest register in which shall be inscribed the name and home address of each guest and shall contain such guest's vehicle description and license plate state and number.
Upon registration, the innkeeper shall require all guests to provide a valid driver's license or identification card from within the U.S., Canada or U.S. Territories, U.S. Military identification, or a valid passport. The corresponding identification number and type of identification shall be recorded in the register.
The innkeeper shall write opposite each guest name the number of each room or unit assigned to and occupied by such guest, together with the date when such room or unit is rented, and shall sign the register. No person shall be allowed to occupy any sleeping room or living room unit in a hotel unless all of the aforesaid entries have been made in such guest register.
(i) The innkeeper shall keep and maintain all guest registers in a manner that provides quick and easy reference to the number of each room or unit assigned, and the name of the guest assigned to that room or unit, together with the date when such room or unit is rented.
(ii) The information required by this section shall be maintained by the innkeeper for one year from the date of rental. An officer of the Town of Cary Police Department ('Officer') may request to inspect the guest register as part of the Police Department's public safety responsibilities by asking the innkeeper's consent to inspect the guest register. If such inspection is refused, the innkeeper must secure the guest register in the presence of the Officer in a manner directed by the Officer to ensure that no one can tamper with the guest register and the innkeeper must maintain the security of the guest register until such time as a subpoena, warrant, or court order has been issued or denied.
(iii) The guest vehicle parking area of any hotel shall be accessible in a reasonable manner at all times to any law enforcement officer or by an official of the Fire Department with territorial jurisdiction while in the performance of his or her duties.
(Ord. No. 06-019, 12-14-2006; Ord. No. 2015-Code-006, 11-19-2015)