The following terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Bedroom.
A room used or intended to be used for sleeping purposes and not as a kitchen, bathroom, living room, closet, hallway, utility space, entryway, garage, patio, or breezeway.
Building.
Any structure having a roof that is built, maintained, or intended for use for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, or property of any kind.
Building line.
Any line parallel or approximately parallel to a lot line and beyond which no buildings may be erected.
Building official.
The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this article.
Certificate of occupancy.
An official certificate issued by the town through the chief building official which indicates conformance for legal use of the premises for which it is used.
Dwelling.
Any building providing complete independent living facilities for one family to include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, and cooking.
Family.
Any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit in which not more than two individuals are unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption. Foster children shall be considered as a related member of the family.
Landlord.
Any owner, resident, or nonresident, who leases, barters, or rents his single-family residence to another.
Nonresident owner.
Any person who does not live, stay, or dwell in a single-family home in which he/she owns.
Occupancy.
The use or intended use of the land or buildings by proprietors or tenants.
Owner.
A person claiming or who is vested in the ownership, dominion or title of real property.
Premises.
Land together with any building or structures situated thereon.
Single-family residence.
A detached building containing not more than one dwelling unit entirely surrounded by open space on that lot.
Tenant.
Any person who occupies a dwelling unit for dwelling purposes with the landlord’s consent.
(Ordinance 12-22 adopted 10/22/12; 2006 Code, sec. 3.1401)
The town recognizes a need for an organized inspection program of residential rental units within the town to meet town and state life safety, health, fire, and zoning codes and to provide a more efficient system for compelling both absentee and local landlords to correct violations and to maintain in proper condition. The town recognizes that the most efficient system to provide for rental inspections is the creation of a program requiring registration and issuance of a certificate of occupancy for all rental units within the town so that orderly inspections can be made.
(Ordinance 12-22 adopted 10/22/12; 2006 Code, sec. 3.1402)
No person shall hereafter occupy, allow to be occupied or let any other person occupy any residential rental property within the town for which registration has not been completed and filed with the department of building inspections.
(Ordinance 12-22 adopted 10/22/12; 2006 Code, sec. 3.1403)
When a rental dwelling unit is vacated by the tenant, the owner must apply for and receive a certificate of occupancy from the building official prior to the unit being occupied by a new tenant. The building official or his designated representative will inspect the unit and premises for compliance with this code, the International Property Maintenance Code, the International building codes and other applicable ordinances of the town. If deficiencies are found the building official may prohibit occupancy of the unit and premises until such time as the owner takes action needed to bring the unit and premises into compliance. The inspection required by this section shall apply to all dwelling units and premises prior to the original occupancy as a rental unit.
(Ordinance 12-22 adopted 10/22/12; 2006 Code, sec. 3.1404)
When the building official determines that a rental dwelling unit and premises are in compliance with the provisions of this and other applicable codes, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy.
(Ordinance 12-22 adopted 10/22/12; 2006 Code, sec. 3.1406)
Any person, firm, corporation or business violating this article or portion thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined a sum in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code. Each continuing day of violation under this article shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ordinance 12-22 adopted 10/22/12; 2006 Code, sec. 3.1407; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)