The words and phrases set out in this section, when used in this Chapter, shall, for the purposes of this Chapter, have the following respective meanings except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A. "Hotel" means a commercial establishment furnishing lodging space in exchange for monetary compensation. Every such establishment shall constitute a "hotel" for purposes of this Chapter notwithstanding any advertising describing the facility as a hostelry, inn, motel, rooming house, tourist home or similar enterprise.
B. "Lodging space" means one or more rooms used or intended to be used for dwelling or sleeping purposes.
C. "Occupancy" means the use or possession, or the right to the use or possession, of a lodging space.
D. "Operator" means the person who is the proprietor of a hotel. If an operator utilizes a managing agent who is not an employee, then such agent shall also constitute an "operator" for purposes of this Chapter. Compliance with this Chapter by either the principal or the managing agent shall constitute compliance by both.
E. "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, joint stock company, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, trustee, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit.
F. "Room rental" means the total charge for lodging space.
G. "Transient" means a person who, for a period of thirty consecutive calendar days or less, exercises occupancy or is entitled to occupancy by reason of concession, permit, right of access, license or contract. Every such person shall constitute a "transient" for purposes of this Chapter until expiration of the thirty-day period unless such person has executed a written contract with the operator to provide for occupancy in excess of thirty consecutive calendar days and the contract cannot be terminated without providing at least thirty days advance notice. In determining whether a person is a transient, portions of calendar days shall be counted as full days and uninterrupted periods of time extending both prior and subsequent to the effective date of this Chapter may be considered.
H. "Transient lodging tax" means the tax levied pursuant to this Chapter.