For the purposes of this Code, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning set forth as follows:
(a) DESIGNATED AGENT: An individual person who shall be authorized by the owner of a Rental Dwelling Unit to accept service of process and notices issued pursuant to this Code on behalf of the Owner.
(b) DWELLING: Any building or portion thereof designed for or used for residential purposes, but not including hotels/motels, recreational vehicles, tents or portable buildings.
(c) DWELLING, MULTI-FAMILY: A building, or portion thereof, designed, constructed, altered or used for occupancy by three (3) or more families, living independently of each other and each doing their own cooking within their dwelling unit; with the number of families in residence not exceeding the number of dwelling units provided.
(d) DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED: A detached building designed for the complete living accommodations of one (1) family and containing only one (1) dwelling unit.
(e) DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED: A dwelling designed for occupancy by one (1) family in a row of at least three (3) dwelling units in which each unit has its own front and rear access to the outside, no unit is located over another and each unit is separated from any other unit by one (1) or more vertical common fire-resistant walls.
(f) DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY: A detached building designed for and occupied exclusively by two (2) families living independently of one another, also referred to as a duplex.
(g) DWELLING UNIT: A permanent building, or any part of a permanent building, having cooking and sanitary facilities, designed or used exclusively for residential occupancy by one (1) family as a single housekeeping unit.
(h) FAMILY: One (1) or more persons occupying a dwelling unit, living as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit; provided, a group of four (4) or more persons who are not within the second degree of kinship shall not constitute a family.
(i) HOUSING LICENSE: Permission grant by the City for the right to occupy a Rental Dwelling Unit
(j) NON -RESIDENT OWNER: The owner of a rental dwelling unit, who at the time of application for a housing license does not reside within the City or relocates outside the City of Lorain after they have been issued a housing license for a rental dwelling unit.
(k) RENTAL DWELLING UNIT: A dwelling occupied by a family where the right to occupy is granted in consideration of the payment of money or other valuable consideration.
(l) OCCUPANT: A family or family member living in a rental dwelling unit.
(m) HOUSING LICENSE APPLICATION: A form provided by the Building Department that is completed by the owner of a Rental Dwelling Unit.
(n) OWNER: A legal person including but not limited to an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company and a corporation who or which has legal title or a beneficial ownership interest, solely or jointly, to a rental dwelling unit. For purposes of this Code, an owner shall include the following persons: (1) President, Secretary and treasurer of a corporation; (2) Partner of a general partnership; (3) Managing partner of a limited partnership (4) Managing member of a limited liability company; (5) Statutory Agent pursuant to ORC __ of a business organization. An officer of a corporation and/or company can and shall be the owner of record. The person, corporation and/or the deed holder of homes rented as a rent-to-own agreement shall remain as owner of record until such time that the transfer of title is filed with the Lorain County Auditor. The owner or owners of the premises, including the holder of title thereto subject to contract of purchase, a vendee in possession, a mortgagee or receiver in possession, a lessee or joint lessees of the whole thereof or an agent or any other person, firm or corporation directly in control of the premises.
(o) LANDLORD: The "term" Landlord shall have the same meaning as set forth in Ohio R.C. 5321.01(B).
(Ord. 92-21. Passed 6-7-21.)