Marquette Heights CHAPTER 11 RENTAL REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION PROGRAM § 3-11-3
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context otherwise requires. DUPLEX: Means a building with two (2) rental units. LEASE, LEASED, RENT, RENTED, OR RENTAL: Means any payment made or other consideration given to the owner or an owner's agent pursuant to rental agreement. LOCAL AGENT: Means one or more persons who has charge, care or control of a building in, or part thereof, in which rental units are maintained. NON-OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTY: Means any property, which encompasses contract for deed situations or those situations in which there is no formal lease agreement. OWNER: Means one or more persons, jointly, severally or in common, or any organization, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to property, or all or part of the beneficial ownership of a right to present use and enjoyment of the premises, including a mortgage in possession. As used herein, an organization shall include a corporation, trust, estate, partnership, association or any other legal or commercial entity. The term owner shall not include a lessee who previously occupied a rental unit and who is subleasing the unit for the remaining part of his or her lease. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE: Means the Marquette Heights City ordinances pertaining to property maintenance and the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code, as well as all other codes adopted by the City relating to property maintenance. RENTAL AGREEMENT: Means all agreements, written and oral, and rules and regulations embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and enjoyment of rented property, including subleases. RENTAL INSPECTOR: Means the Marquette Heights building inspector or his/her authorized designee. RENTAL PROPERTY: Means a structure which is leased for occupancy for residential or dwelling purposes. However, it does not include structures or dwelling units as set forth in section 3-11-2 of this chapter. RENTAL UNIT: Means each room or portion of a rental property used for residential or dwelling purpose that is separately leased, rented, or otherwise legally occupied by any persons other than the owner thereof. SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING: Means a structure with one rental unit. (Ord. 889, 6-24-2019)
Section 3-11-3 of Marquette Heights CHAPTER 11 establishes the official definitions that govern the entire Rental Registration and Inspection Program. Key terms such as "owner," "rental unit," "rental property," and "local agent" are given specific meanings that apply throughout the chapter, and those meanings may differ from everyday usage. For example, a sublessee finishing out a prior tenant's lease is explicitly excluded from the definition of "owner," and non-owner occupied property is defined broadly enough to include contract-for-deed arrangements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Marquette Heights CHAPTER 11 should familiarize themselves with the definitions in § 3-11-3, because terms like "owner," "rental unit," and "local agent" carry precise legal meanings that determine who bears compliance obligations under the program. Operators who appoint a local agent—someone with charge, care, or control of the building—should understand that the agent's role is recognized within this definitional framework. Knowing whether a property qualifies as a single-family dwelling, duplex, or rental property under § 3-11-3 affects which registration and inspection requirements apply.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Marquette Heights rental properties benefit from understanding the definitions in § 3-11-3, because those terms shape who is legally responsible as an "owner" and what qualifies as a "rental unit" or "rental agreement" under the chapter. Oral agreements are explicitly included in the definition of "rental agreement," meaning tenants without written leases may still have recognized arrangements under this framework. Tenants with questions about how these definitions apply to their housing situation can reach out to a local tenant-rights organization or the Marquette Heights city offices for general information.
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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