This chapter shall be construed to secure its expressed intent, which is to ensure public health, safety and welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of residential structures and premises.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all existing residential, conversions of nonresidential structures to residential dwellings, all existing premises and shall constitute the minimum requirements and standards for said premises for occupancy, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards.
The owner of the rental property shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and the failure of an owner, agent, managing agency, local contact person or short-term renting occupants to comply with this chapter shall be deemed noncompliance by the owner.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms, phrases and words are defined as follows:
A. 
Tense, gender and number. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and the neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural singular.
B. 
General terms. The words "shall," "will" or "must" are always mandatory; the words "should" or "may" are permissive. The words "used for" include "designed for," "arranged for," "intended for," "maintained for" or "occupied for." The word "building" includes "structure" and shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "or part thereof." The word "person" includes "individual," "profit or nonprofit organization," "partnership," "company," "incorporated association" or other similar entities.
C. 
Terms, phrases and words not defined. When terms, phrases or words are not defined, they shall have their ordinarily accepted meaning or such as the context may imply.
D. 
Specific terms. Terms or words used herein, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall have the following meanings:
APPROVED
Approved by the Code Official, Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer.
BEDROOM
Any room or space used or intended to be used for sleeping purposes.
CODE OFFICIAL
The official who is charged with the administration and enforcement of this Code, or any duly authorized representative.
DWELLING UNIT
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
HABITABLE SPACE
Space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
LET FOR OCCUPANCY or LET
To permit, provide or offer possession or occupancy of a dwelling, dwelling unit, building, premises or structure by a person who is or is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease, agreement or license or pursuant to a recorded or unrecorded agreement of contract for the sale of land.
LOCAL CONTACT PERSON
A local property manager, owner, or agent of the owner, who is available to respond to tenant and neighborhood questions or concerns, or any agent of the owner authorized by the owner to take remedial action and respond to any violation of this chapter.
LONG-TERM RENTAL
Any dwelling unit owned or managed by a person, firm or corporation which is leased or rented for a period of 30 days or more.
OCCUPANCY
The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is utilized or occupied.
OCCUPANT
Any individual living or sleeping in a building or having possession of a space within a building.
OPERATOR
Any person who has charge, care or control of a structure or premises which is let or offered for occupancy.
OWNER
Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county or Borough as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, partnership or any other group acting as a unit.
PREMISES
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including any structures thereon.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
Any dwelling unit on a lot of 0.5 acres or more, owned or managed by a person, firm or corporation, which is rented or leased for a period of less than 30 days.
STRUCTURE
That which is built or constructed, or a portion thereof.
TENANT
A person, corporation, partnership or group, whether or not the legal owner of record, occupying a building or portion thereof as a unit.
TOILET ROOM
A room containing a water closet or urinal but not a bathtub or shower.
Each owner of a long-term or short-term rental shall designate a local person, property manager or agent as a local contact person who has access and authority to assume management of the unit and take remedial measures. An owner who resides within 40 miles of a premises may designate himself as the local contact person. The local contact person shall respond to the Code Official within one hour after being notified by the Code Official or other Borough official of the existence of a violation of this chapter or any disturbance requiring immediate remedy or abatement. If the local contact person is not the owner, the local contact person shall immediately advise the owner of any notification of a violation.
Fees for the administration of this chapter shall be charged in accord with the fee schedule adopted by resolution of the Borough Council.
Registration and application forms and procedures shall be as required by this chapter or as otherwise amended or adopted by resolution of the Borough Council.