(a) The City shall issue a Hotel Operation Permit to owners or authorized agents upon compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The Hotel Operation Permit shall not be transferable or assignable and shall automatically become invalid upon the change of owner or authorized agent in whose name the permit is issued or upon suspension or revocation.
(c) No person directly or indirectly, shall construct, operate, or maintain a hotel, motel or extended stay hotel within the City without a Hotel Operation Permit for the current year’s operation.
(d) All Hotel Operation Permits shall be issued on a calendar year basis (January 1st to December 31st ) or any part of a calendar year remaining thereof and shall expire on December 31st following the date of issuance.
(e) Every owner or authorized agent who proposes to construct, operate, or maintain a hotel, motel, or extended stay hotel within the City shall apply for a Hotel Operation Permit on forms provided by the City. In the case of a facility in current operation, application shall be made no later than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the current permit. In the case of a facility not in current operation, application shall be made no later than thirty (30) days before construction, operation, or maintenance is to begin. No Hotel Operation Permit shall be issued unless the following documents are provided to the City:
(1) A copy of a license issued by the State Fire Marshal for the premises;
(2) A copy of the latest inspection report from the State Fire Marshal;
(3) A copy of the latest inspection report from the Division of Fire.
(4) A letter designating the responsible person at the hotel, motel, or extended stay hotel to whom a Notice of Violations can be delivered, and who has the authority to act in the absence of the owner or authorized agent in whose name the Hotel Operation Permit has been issued.
(f) All hotels, motels, and extended stay hotels within the City shall be in compliance with State and local laws and regulations. Any hotel, motel, or extended stay hotel that is granted a Hotel Operation Permit by the City shall be in compliance with the regulations of the City of Grandview Heights Building and Code Enforcement Department and the Division of Fire.
(g) Every owner or authorized agent shall maintain a log of complaints from guests at the facility. Such records shall be available for inspection.
(h) The owner or authorized agent shall display the Hotel Operation Permit in a prominent location within the hotel, motel, or extended stay hotel.
(i) Fees.
(1) The owner or authorized agent shall pay an annual permit application fee, based upon the number of rooms in the facility. The fees shall be two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the first one hundred (100) rooms, and two dollars ($2.00) per room for each room in excess of one hundred rooms.
(2) The City Council of Grandview Heights is authorized to increase the per room fee on an annual basis.
(j) Inspections. City Building Officials shall inspect all hotels, motels, and extended stay hotels within the City’s jurisdiction a minimum of two (2) times per year or as needed to determine if the property is in compliance.
(k) Right of Entry.
(1) Any owner or authorized agent holding a Hotel Operation Permit shall allow City Building Officials to inspect the hotel, motel, or extended stay hotel to which the permit pertains. The owner or authorized agent shall give City Building Officials free access to such facility and its premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of conducting inspections pursuant to this chapter.
(2) Every guest of a hotel, motel, or extended stay hotel shall give the owner, authorized agent, or agent thereof access to their guest room for the purpose of cleaning, maintenance and compliance with this chapter.
(3) The City Building Official or other agent authorized by the City shall have the authority to inspect and examine the register containing a record of all guests who have used or who are using the facilities of the hotel or motel, provided the City otherwise has legal authority to inspect and examine the register.
(l) Staffing. Any hotel, motel, or extended stay hotel operating within the City shall be adequately staffed to maintain the premises in a safe and sanitary condition at all times.
(m) Appeals. Any owner or authorized agent may appeal a denial of his or her Hotel Operation Permit to the City of Grandview Heights Zoning Appeals Board within thirty days of notification of denial.
(n) Variance. Any owner or authorized agent may apply for a variance to some or all provisions of this chapter by notifying the City of Grandview Heights Board of Zoning Appeals in writing.
(Ord. 2006-01. Passed 1-3-06.)