The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
The cost of the room in a hotel and does not include the cost of any food served or personal services rendered to the occupant of such room not related to the cleaning and readying of such room or occupancy and does not include any tax assessed for occupancy thereof by any other governmental agency.
A building in which members of the public obtain sleeping accommodations for consideration. The term “hotel” includes a hotel, motel, tourist home, tourist house, tourist court, lodging house, inn, rooming house, or bed and breakfast. The term “hotel” does not include the following:
A hospital, sanitarium, or nursing home;
A dormitory or other housing facility owned or leased and operated by an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Texas Education Code sec. 61.003, used by the institution for the purpose of providing sleeping accommodations for persons engaged in an educational program or activity at the institution; or
An oilfield portable unit, as defined by Texas Tax Code sec. 152.001.
The use or possession or the right to the use or possession of any room in a hotel if the room is one ordinarily used for sleeping and if the use or possession extends for a period of less than 30 days.
Anyone who, for a consideration, uses, possesses, or has a right to use or possess any room in a hotel if the room is one ordinarily used for sleeping.
Any occupant who has or shall have the right to occupancy of any room in a hotel for at least 30 consecutive days during the current year or preceding year so long as there is no interruption of payment for the period.
(1966 Code, sec. 28-26; 2001 Code, sec. 98-91)