Justice Ch. 5 Art. IX Occupancy Standards (§§5-301–5-310) § 5-307
Tenant's Use And Occupancy Of Dwelling Unit
Operative Text
Unless otherwise agreed, the tenant shall occupy his unit only as a dwelling unit. (Ord. 97-2, § 7, 1-27-1997)
Section 5-307 of the Justice occupancy standards establishes that a dwelling unit is presumed to be used solely for residential living purposes. Unless the landlord and tenant have reached a separate agreement permitting another use, the unit may not be used for commercial, business, or other non-residential purposes. This default rule sets the baseline expectation for how rental housing in Justice is to be occupied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 5-307, a compliant operator generally ensures that lease agreements clearly reflect the residential-only nature of the tenancy, and documents any agreed-upon exceptions if a non-residential use is permitted. Property owners and managers typically review their lease terms to confirm that any deviation from the default residential-use standard is explicitly addressed in writing. Maintaining clear records of any such agreements helps demonstrate compliance with the occupancy standards set out in Justice Ch. 5 Art. IX.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5-307 establishes that your dwelling unit is intended for residential use unless you and your landlord have agreed otherwise. If a landlord attempts to restrict or penalize a use that was explicitly permitted under a separate agreement, that agreement may be relevant to any dispute arising under this provision. Tenants who have questions about permissible uses under their lease or this ordinance may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Justice municipal code.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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