Phoenix — Ch. 22 Art. VI Property Maintenance § 22-426.1
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Appropriate authority shall mean that person within the governmental structure of the corporate unit who is charged with the administration of the appropriate code. Building shall mean a fixed structure with walls, foundation and roof, such as a house, factory, garage, etc. Commercial building shall mean any building or premises used to conduct a business or to manufacture or store goods or merchandise. Dwelling shall mean any enclosed space wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. Enforcement authority shall mean that person or persons assigned to administer enforcement of this chapter or the referenced codes by the Mayor of the Village of Phoenix. Multiple family dwelling shall mean any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units, including rooming houses, lodging houses, hotels and motels. Occupy shall mean to take possession, reside, inhabit or live in, or to use for a commercial purpose in the case of commercial property. Owner shall mean any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others: (1) Shall have legal title to any premise, dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof, and (2) Shall have charge, care, or control of any premise, dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner or agent of the owner, or an executor, administrator, manager, trustee, or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such person thus representing the actual owner shall be found to comply with the provisions of this chapter and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he were the owner. Property shall mean a platted lot or part thereof or unplatted lot or parcel of land or plot of land, either occupied or unoccupied by any dwelling or non-dwelling structure, commercial, residential, industrial or otherwise, and includes any such building, accessory structure or other structure thereon. Residential building shall include mobile homes, single family homes, duplexes, apartments, cooperative apartments and condominiums and other multiple family dwellings. Transferor shall mean the owner transferring the property. Transferee shall mean the entity to whom the property is transferred.
Section 22-426.1 of Phoenix's Property Maintenance Code (Ch. 22, Art. VI) establishes the official definitions that govern how key terms are interpreted throughout the division. Words like 'dwelling,' 'owner,' 'property,' and 'enforcement authority' carry specific legal meanings within this framework, which may differ from everyday usage. These definitions set the interpretive foundation for all other requirements and obligations found in the surrounding provisions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 22-426.1, anyone who holds legal title to a property or exercises charge, care, or control over it—including agents, managers, trustees, and executors—qualifies as an 'owner' and is held to the same compliance obligations as the titleholder. Property owners and managers operating residential buildings (which include single-family homes, duplexes, apartments, and mobile homes) or commercial buildings should be aware that these definitions determine which rules apply to their specific type of property. Understanding how § 22-426.1 categorizes a property is a practical starting point for determining which maintenance and code obligations are relevant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 22-426.1 is important for tenants because it clarifies who legally qualifies as an 'owner' under Phoenix's property maintenance rules—a category that extends beyond the titleholder to include property managers and agents, all of whom bear the same compliance responsibilities. This means that if a management company or agent oversees a dwelling, they are accountable under the code to the same degree as the actual owner. Tenants who believe a maintenance or habitability issue exists may find it useful to reference these definitions when identifying the responsible party, and can explore options such as contacting the local enforcement authority identified under § 22-426.1 or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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