Farmington Hills — Ch. 7 Art. VIII Single-Family Rental Dwellings § 7-342
Definitions
Operative Text
For purpose of this article, the following words and phrases have the meanings indicated: Building means a structure with a roof supported by columns or walls to serve as a shelter or enclosure. Certificate of compliance means a certificate issued by the director of the department which certifies compliance with this article and other applicable codes and city ordinances and indicates the date of such certification. Code official means a city building official, building inspector, code enforcement officer, the director of the department and other city employees designated and legally authorized by that director or the city manager to administer and enforce this article. Department means the city's department of planning and community development. Family shall have the meaning ascribed to it under chapter 34 of this Code. Inspection guidelines means the guidelines to be used by the code official in conducting inspections under this article, setting forth the minimum requirements for single-family rental dwellings. Lease means a lease agreement, rental agreement or other written or oral agreement or arrangement for the use and occupancy of a single-family rental dwelling by one (1) or more persons that are not an owner. Occupants means tenants, lessees, renters, and/or persons residing in or occupying a single-family rental dwelling, who are not owners. Owner means any person, agent or entity having a legal or equitable ownership interest in a single-family rental dwelling, which ownership interest is established by a written document that has been recorded at the Oakland County register of deeds office or is reflected on a property transfer affidavit filed with the city. Rent or rented means a lease whereby a person is to pay or provide monetary or other consideration to another person for the right or privilege to use and occupy a residential rental unit for any period of time. Single-family rental dwelling means a single-family dwelling that is not occupied by an owner and that is rented or available to be rented. Single-family dwelling means a building or structure designed exclusively for occupancy by one (1) family for residential purposes. This definition does not include structures or buildings the principal use of which results in licensing and/or inspection by the state. Structure means anything constructed or erected the use of which requires location on or attachment to the ground and includes buildings. Tenant means a person who rents or has a lease for a single-family rental dwelling.
Section 7-342 of Farmington Hills Ch. 7 Art. VIII establishes the foundational vocabulary for the city's single-family rental dwelling program. Key terms such as 'owner,' 'tenant,' 'lease,' 'certificate of compliance,' and 'single-family rental dwelling' are given specific meanings that govern how the rest of the article is interpreted and applied. For example, a single-family rental dwelling is defined as a single-family home not occupied by its owner that is rented or available for rent, and an owner's status depends on recorded documentation at the Oakland County Register of Deeds or a property transfer affidavit filed with the city.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Farmington Hills Ch. 7 Art. VIII should be familiar with the definitions in § 7-342, as these terms set the scope of the entire rental dwelling program. Compliant operators typically ensure their ownership interest is properly recorded at the Oakland County Register of Deeds or reflected in a property transfer affidavit filed with the city, since the definition of 'owner' hinges on that documentation. Understanding terms like 'certificate of compliance,' 'code official,' and 'inspection guidelines' helps operators know which city personnel and standards apply to their properties and what certifications may be required.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants living in or considering a single-family rental in Farmington Hills, § 7-342 clarifies who qualifies as a 'tenant,' 'occupant,' and what constitutes a covered 'lease' under Ch. 7 Art. VIII — including both written and oral rental arrangements. These definitions matter because they determine whether a dwelling and its occupants fall under the article's protections and inspection requirements administered by the city's Department of Planning and Community Development. Tenants who have questions about whether their rental situation is covered by this article may find it helpful to contact the department directly or consult a local 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 October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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