Chatham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 77 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 77-4
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: ADMINISTRATOR The Building Inspector or his designee. AGENT Any person who has charge, care, or control of a building or any part thereof. ENFORCEMENT AGENCY The Village of Chatham Police Department shall enforce the provisions of this article. OWNER Any person or entity who, alone or with others, has fee title or an equitable interest in real property. OWNER-OCCUPIED STRUCTURE A structure occupied by its owner or by members of his or her family on a nonrental basis. PROPERTY Any structure which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used as habitable space for human occupants or used for commercial enterprise.
Section 77-4 of Chatham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 77 establishes the working definitions for the rental and property oversight article. It identifies who qualifies as an administrator, agent, owner, and enforcement agency, and it distinguishes owner-occupied structures from rental properties. These definitions set the interpretive foundation for all other requirements and obligations found elsewhere in the article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 77-4, a property owner is defined broadly to include anyone holding fee title or an equitable interest, and an agent is anyone exercising charge, care, or control over a building. Operators who delegate day-to-day management to a third party should be aware that the agent definition may bring that representative within the article's scope. Compliance-minded owners and managers familiarize themselves with these definitions because they shape how responsibilities are assigned throughout Chapter 77.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 77-4 designates the Village of Chatham Police Department as the enforcement agency responsible for carrying out the provisions of Chapter 77. Tenants who believe a violation has occurred under this article may direct concerns to that department, since it is the body expressly named to enforce these rules. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how the definitions in § 77-4—such as who qualifies as an owner or agent—may be relevant to a particular housing concern.
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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