[Adopted 6-21-2012 by Ord. No. O-12-01; amended 12-3-2020 by Ord. No. O-20-09]
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "College
Township Residential Rental Ordinance."
[Amended 9-7-2023 by Ord. No. O-23-06]
A. This article is intended to protect the distinctive qualities of
single-family neighborhoods and the availability of affordable housing
within College Township through the regulation of two types of residential
usages: short-term rentals and long-term rentals.
B. This article will hereby:
(1) Establish the regulations, procedures and standards for the review
and approval of all short-term and long-term residential rental units
in the Township;
(2) Preserve and foster the public health, safety, and general welfare,
and aid in the harmonious and orderly development of the Township
in accordance with the Regional Comprehensive Plan;
(3) Establish a review process that is efficient in terms of time and
expense, effective in addressing the impacts of rental units, and
equitable with regard to regulations and procedures, while respecting
the rights of property owners;
(4) Ensure the safety of structures that are used as either short-term
or long-term rentals and the well-being and safety of residents and
visitors in these dwellings; penalties are established for any violations
of this article;
(5) Prioritize fairness, protect the rights and interests of all involved
parties, including the ability to operate short-term and long-term
rentals as specified in this article, and allow for accessory dwelling
units; and
(6) Promote transparency and accountability in the enforcement of the
article.
No person, firm, or corporation shall rent or lease to another,
or advertise for rent or lease, or provide for residential occupancy,
any dwelling unit, rooming unit, or portion thereof, until the regulations
contained herein have been met and a residential rental permit has
been received.
Unless a contrary intention clearly appears, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning given in this section, as well as those terms defined in Chapter
152, Property Maintenance Code. All words and terms not defined herein shall be used with meaning of standard usage.
DESIGNATED AGENT
A licensee who has been assigned by a principal or supervising
broker to represent a client while a different client in the same
transaction is represented by another licensee affiliated with the
same principal or supervising broker in a transaction. A designated
agent provides full representation to his or her client. Also named,
person-in-charge or responsible party.
LONG-TERM RENTAL
Any dwelling unit, or portion thereof, that is offered for
rent or lease as a living facility in increments of 15 or more consecutive
nights.
[Amended 9-7-2023 by Ord. No. O-23-06]
NONOWNER OCCUPIED
The owner does not occupy the property, as the principal
residence.
OWNER OCCUPIED
Lived in by the owner. Owner of the property occupies the
dwelling as the principal residence.
RENT
Compensation paid for the use of a dwelling unit or portion
thereof, including, but not necessarily limited to: money, services
and/or property. As a verb, the term "rent" means to get or give the
use of a dwelling unit or portion thereof in return for such compensation
or any combination thereof. The term "rent" does not include arrangements
where there is no compensation such as but not limited to money, services,
and/or property provided.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
Any dwelling unit, or portion thereof, that is offered for
rent or lease as a living facility in increments of 14 consecutive
nights or less, and no more than 45 nights per calendar year.
Fees for permits required under the provisions of this article
shall be set by resolution of the Township Council.
All property owners renting or leasing a dwelling unit or portion
thereof for occupancy in the Township, including short-term residential
rentals, shall obtain and maintain minimum insurance coverage as indicated
below.
A. General liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 in minimum
coverage;
B. Insurance declaration shall clearly indicate coverage specifically
for rental or include written acknowledgement of same from insurance
provider.
C. Applicant shall notify the Township of any changes in insurance policies.
Applications for residential rental permits shall be made in
writing to the College Township Zoning Office by the owner of the
rental dwelling unit(s) or his/her designated agent. The application
shall include:
A. The name, address, and telephone number of the dwelling owner, the
owning partners, if a partnership; and/or that of the corporate officers,
if a corporation;
B. The name, address, and telephone number of the person in charge,
C. The legal address of the dwelling;
D. The type of dwelling, as defined by Chapter
200, Zoning;
E. A visual representation of the property showing the dimensions of required off-street parking being provided as defined by §
200-11D;
F. Proof of insurance. The applicant shall provide a copy of the insurance certificate for the residential rental dwelling unit(s), as required in §
160-6;
G. A signed statement (provided as part of the application) acknowledging
that the owner is aware of all rules and regulations contained herein
and that failure to follow said requirements may result in the denial
of the residential rental permit for the affected property;
H. An acknowledgement that the person in charge has read and understands the contents of this article, Chapter
152, Property Maintenance and Fire Code, and Chapter
200, Zoning; and
I. Application and permit fees are due on submission.
Upon receiving a long-term residential rental permit from the Township and Centre Region Code Administration, the owner of a residential rental property shall continue to renew the Centre Region Code residential rental Permit as per Chapter
152, Property Maintenance and Fire Code. In addition, owner(s) of residential rental properties shall also be responsible for submitting the following additional information to College Township if any of the following occur:
A. The owner of a residential rental shall be required to provide information
regarding any changes to the items provided to the College Township
Zoning Office at the time of initial application for the residential
rental Permit;
B. The owner of a residential rental property shall notify the Township if a current long- term residential rental changes to a short-term residential rental or vice versa via a new application process as set forth in §§
160-8 and/or
160-10; and
C. Failure to maintain rental inspections through Centre Region Code
Administration will be cause for denial of renewal.