§ 119.01 PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.
   (A)   The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations for the use of privately owned dwellings as short term rentals, to promote fire prevention and life safety, to minimize negative ancillary impact on surrounding properties, and to ensure the collection and payment of Hotel Occupancy Tax.
   (B)   As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
      CITY. The city of Gun Barrel City, Texas.
      GUEST. The overnight occupants renting a short term rental unit for a specified period and the daytime visitors of the overnight occupants.
      LOCAL CONTACT PERSON. The owner, operator or person designated by the owner or the operator who shall be available 24 hours per day for the purpose of responding to concerns or requests for assistance related to the owner’s short term rental.
      OPERATOR. The owner or the owner’s authorized representative who is responsible for compliance with this chapter while advertising and/or operating a short term rental.
      OWNER. The person or entity that holds legal or equitable title to the short term rental property.
      SHORT TERM RENTAL.
         (a)   A privately owned dwelling, including but not limited to, a single family dwelling, multiple family attached dwelling, apartment house, condominium, duplex, mobile home, or any portion of such dwellings, rented by the public for consideration, and used for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes for an period less than 30 consecutive days.
         (b)   The following are exempt from the regulations under this chapter: hotel, motel, dormitory, recreational vehicle park, hospital and medical clinic, nursing home or convalescent home, assisted living facility, foster home, halfway house, transitional housing facility, any housing operated or used exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes, and any housing owned by a governmental agency and used to house its employees or for governmental purposes.
      SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT. A permit issued by the city authorizing the use of a privately owned dwelling as a short term rental.
      SHORT TERM RENTAL UNIT. One or more habitable rooms forming a single habitable division within a short term rental, which is advertised to be occupied, is occupied, or intended to be occupied by a single party of guests under a single reservation and/single rental payment.
(Ord. O-2019-026, passed 12-17-19)