[Adopted 9-16-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-05]
The purpose of this article is to ensure the health, safety
and welfare of all tenants residing in rental properties, as well
as all other residents and visitors, in the Town of Belvidere.
For use in this article only, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
LANDLORD AND OWNER
Any person who owns any legally cognizable interest in any
rental property, including, but not limited to, outright ownership
or ownership through a partnership, corporation or limited liability
company.
OWNER-OCCUPIED
The primary residential living unit of the owner is located
within the rental property.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
The cleanliness and proper working order and upkeep of all
areas and facilities of the rental units other than owner-occupied
houses, structures or buildings.
RENTAL PROPERTY
Any house, structure, building or structure rented or offered
for rent, for living and dwelling purposes to individuals or family
units.
RESIDE
To live or dwell permanently or continuously for more than
14 days. Said days need not be consecutive, but must occur within
a reasonably short period of time to evidence an intent to utilize
the rental unit as the person's primary place of residence.
TENANTS
Those persons who have leased the rental unit from the owner,
regardless of the type of tenancy under which they occupy the rental
unit.
The owner shall post the maximum authorized number of occupants
in a conspicuous area within the rental unit. It shall be unlawful
for any person, including the owner, managing agent and/or tenants,
to allow greater number of persons than the posted maximum number
of occupants to reside in the rental unit. This provision may be enforced
against the owner, managing agent and/or tenants as well as against
the unauthorized persons residing in the rental unit under this article
or any other applicable local, state or federal law, regulation, ordinance
or code.
No rental property or unit shall be conducted or maintained
in a manner that constitutes a nuisance. The owner and the tenants
will be held responsible for any such conditions and/or activities,
and such conditions and/or activities shall constitute a violation
of this article as well as violations of any other applicable local,
state or federal laws, regulations, ordinances and/or codes.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article, upon conviction thereof, shall be liable to a penalty of not less than $50 nor more than $500 for each violation. In addition, the owner will be subject to the increased license fees established in §
395-8 for failure to register the rental unit.