For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient shall be subject to and shall pay a charge in the amount of 9% of the rent charged by the operator. Such charge shall constitute a debt owed by the transient to the city, which debt shall be extinguished only by payment to the operator or to the city. The transient shall pay the charge to the operator of the hotel at the time the rent is paid. If the rent is paid in installments, a proportionate share of the charge shall be paid with each installment. The unpaid charge shall be due upon the transient's ceasing to occupy space in the hotel. If for any reason the charge due is not paid to the operator of the hotel, the Director of Finance may require that such charge shall be paid directly to the Director of Finance.
('61 Code, § 8-4.03) (Ord. 79 C.S., passed 7-21-65; Am. Ord. 196 C.S., passed 1-17-73; Am. Ord. 374 C.S., passed 8-3-81; Am. Ord. 523 C.S., passed 6-22-89)