For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates
or requires a different meaning.
ADULT. Every person at least 18 years of age, or younger if emancipated.
DWELLING UNIT. The abode of a family; a single unit providing complete, independent facilities for the exclusive use of the household, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
FAMILY. Includes all of the following:
(1) An individual;
(2) Two or more individuals related by genetics, marriage, legal adoption, foster care or guardianship, or other comparable relationship established by law; or
(3) Five or fewer individuals who constitute a relatively permanent functioning group living as a single housekeeping unit.
HABITABLE ROOM. Any room meeting the requirements of this chapter for sleeping, living, or dining purposes, excluding such enclosed places as closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, hallways, laundries, storage places, utility rooms and similar spaces.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. An individual’s principal place of residence that: the individual owns; the individual is buying under a contract, recorded in the County Recorder’s office; provides that the individual is to pay the property taxes on the residence; the individual is entitled to occupy as a tenant-stockholder (as defined in 26 U.S.C. 216, as may be amended) of a cooperative housing corporation; or is a residence described in I.C. 6-1.1-12-17.9 (as may be amended) that is owned by a trust if the individual is an individual described in I.C. 6-1.1-12-17.9 (as may be amended).
MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING. A residential building designed for, or modified to accommodate, more than one independent rental unit.
OCCUPANCY PERMIT. A permit allowing an owner to lease, rent, or otherwise use premises by tenants.
OWNER. Any person having a legal or equitable title in a rental building or premises.
PERSON. A corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization or any group acting as a unit, as well as a natural person. References in the masculine gender include the feminine and the neuter; those in the present tense include the future, and those in the singular include the plural.
PREMISES. A lot, plot or parcel of land containing a rental building or rental unit.
REGISTRATION PERMIT. The permit issued by the city upon registration of each rental unit.
RENTAL BUILDING. A building containing one or more rental units.
RENTAL HOUSING CODE. Sections 159.30 through 159.47 of this chapter.
RENTAL HOUSING OFFICER. That municipal officer charged with the primary responsibility of enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. As set out in § 159.12 hereof, the City Building Commissioner shall serve as the Rental Housing Officer.
RENTAL PERMIT. The form issued by the city to an owner upon completing the necessary documentation regarding a rental unit.
RENTAL UNIT. Any rented dwelling unit or rooming unit that does not have a homestead exemption on the property.
RENTAL UNIT COMMUNITY. One or more parcels of contiguous real property upon which are located one or more structures containing rental units, if:
(1) The combined total of all rental units in all of the structures is five or more rental units; and
(2) The rental units are not occupied solely by the owner or the owner’s family.
ROOMING HOUSE. Any dwelling or that part of any dwelling containing one or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to three or more persons who are not related by blood or married.
ROOMING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
TENANCY AGREEMENT. Includes all agreements, written, oral or implied, and valid rules and regulations embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a rental unit.
TENANT. Any person entitled to occupy a rental unit under a tenancy agreement to the exclusion of others.
(Ord. G-16-02, passed 3-17-2016)