As used in this chapter:
(a) “Director” or Director of the Department of Taxation means the Director of the Department of Finance for the City of Grandview Heights or the person executing the duties of such.
(b) “Hotel” means every establishment 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 such guests, whether such rooms are in one or several structures.
(c) “Occupancy” means the use or possession, or the right to the use or possession, of any room or rooms or space or portion thereof, in any hotel for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes. The use or possession or the right to use or possess any room or any 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.
(d) “Operator” means any 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 functions through a managing agent of any type or character, other than an employee, the managing agent shall be deemed an operator for the purposes of this chapter and shall have the same duties and liabilities as his principal. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter by either the principal or the managing agent shall, however, be considered compliance by both.
(e) “Person” means an individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, joint stock company, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, trustee, syndicate, or other group or combination acting as a unit.
(f) “Rent” means the consideration received for occupancy valued in money, whether received in money or otherwise, including all receipts, cash, credits, and property or service of any kind or nature, and also any amount for which the occupant is liable for the occupancy without any deduction therefrom whatsoever.
(g) “Transient guests” mean persons occupying a room or rooms for sleeping accommodations for less than thirty consecutive days.
(h) “Fundamental Change” means any substantial alteration by an operator including liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy and reorganizations such as merger, consolidation, acquisition, transfer or change in identity, form or organization.
(Ord. 04-35. Passed 12-8-04.)