5.27.020 Definitions.
   For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
   "Advertise, advertising or advertisement" means the publication of any statements, phrases, words, photographs, drawings or other images for the purpose of informing any member of the public about the ability or availability to use a single-family residential dwelling or condominium unit as a short-term vacation rental. For purposes of this definition, publication shall include, but shall not be limited to, verbal, written, printed, electronic, televised or broadcast set forth or contained in any newspaper, magazine, newsletter, website, solicitation, handbill, business card, flyer, outdoor advertising display, billboard, cable, satellite, digital radio, television broadcast, social networking site, technology-based platform (i.e. AirBnB, VRBO, etc.) or any other form of printed, electronic, broadcast, or digital media.
   "Applicable laws, rules and regulations" means any federal, state and local laws, rules, and regulations.
   "Applicant" means the owner of the short-term vacation rental. The owner’s signature is required on all short-term vacation rental application forms, and the city may prescribe reasonable requirements to verify that an applicant is the property owner in fact.
   "Bedroom" means a private room furnished with a bed and intended primarily for sleeping. This includes the sleeping area within the primary livable area of a studio unit.
   "City" means the City of Murrieta.
   "City Manager" means the City Manager of the City of Murrieta, or his or her designee.
   "Condominium" means an estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest in common in a portion of a parcel, together with a separate interest in space in a residential dwelling unit.
   "Designated local contact person" means the person designated by the owner or the owner’s authorized agent or representative in writing to be available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week for the purpose of responding to complaints, as required by this chapter.
   "Guest" means any person(s) invited by the transient occupant(s) to visit the short-term vacation rental during the designated rental period, as permitted by this chapter.
   "Good neighbor brochure" means a document prepared by the city that summarizes the general rules of conduct, consideration, and respect, including, without limitation, applicable provisions of this municipal code and other applicable laws, rules or regulations pertaining to the use, noise, refuse storage, location, occupancy, required on-site parking of short-term vacation rentals operating within the city.
   "Hosted rental unit." A short-term vacation rental where bedroom(s), or a habitable detached structure (non-accessory dwelling unit, as that term is defined in Government Code Section 65852.2, which may be amended from time-to-time) on the property of a primary residence is rented, while a property owner, or their designated permanent resident, who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age or older, remains on-site and resides on the property during the short-term vacation rental period (except during daytime and/or working hours).
   "Non-hosted rental unit." A short-term vacation rental where bedroom(s), or a habitable detached structure (non-accessory dwelling unit, as that term is defined in Government Code Section 65852.2, which may be amended from time-to-time) is rented without concurrently being occupied by the property owner.
   "Owner" means the person(s) or entity(ies) that hold(s) legal and/or equitable title to the subject short-term vacation rental property.
   "Owner’s authorized agent or representative" means a person designated by the owner in writing to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter with respect to the short-term vacation rental unit on the owner’s behalf.
   "Property" means a residential legal lot of record on which a short-term vacation rental is located.
   "Responsible person" means a transient occupant who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age or older who shall be legally responsible for ensuring that all transient occupants of the short- term vacation rental and their guests comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of the subject short-term vacation rental.
   "Short-term vacation rental" means a privately owned single-family residential dwelling or condominium, as applicable, rented for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or less, for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes, regardless of home-sharing and/or subletting arrangements. For the purposes of this chapter, non-monetary forms of compensation shall also qualify a property as a short-term vacation rental. This definition is inclusive of both hosted rental units and non-hosted rental units.
   "Short-term vacation rental permit or permit" means a permit issued by the city that allows the owner of a single-family residential dwelling or condominium to use the owner’s privately owned single-family residential dwelling or condominium as a short-term vacation rental pursuant to and in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
   "Single-family residential dwelling" means a detached structure that is permitted as a dwelling unit, intended for use by a single family that is situated on a single lot or parcel zoned as residential. This shall also include a privately owned mobile or modular home, which is located on a space, lot or parcel owned by the same owner of the mobile or modular home.
   "Transient occupant" means any person(s) permitted to exist as a renter of the single-family residential dwelling unit or condominium unit during the short-term vacation rental period. (Ord. 561-20 Exhibit A, 2020)