Chester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 72 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 72-2
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER A. The Code Enforcement Officer shall be the Village's Code Enforcement Officer as described at Article I of Chapter 38 of the Code of the Village of Chester, as the same may, from time to time, be amended. Such officer shall have additional duties of registration and inspection, and issuance of certificates of inspection and maintenance compliance pursuant to this article and is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this article. B. The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies, and procedures shall be in compliance with the intent and purpose of this article, but shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this article. DEPARTMENT Village Building and Code Enforcement. DWELLING UNIT A structure or building, or any part thereof, equipped with bathing room(s), and areas or rooms for cooking, dining, living and sleeping, occupied or to be occupied by one or more persons as a home or residence. OWNER The person, persons, or entity that has fee simple title or comparable rights to a dwelling unit or of a property including one or more dwelling units. RENT A return, in money, property or other valuable consideration (including payment in kind or services or other thing of value), for use and occupancy or the right to the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit, whether or not a legal relationship of landlord and tenant exists between the owner and the occupant or occupants thereof. RENTAL DWELLING UNIT A dwelling unit established, occupied, used or maintained for rental occupancy in a one-, two-, or multifamily home, equipped with bathing room(s), and areas or rooms for cooking, dining, living and sleeping, occupied or to be occupied by one or more persons as a home or residence. RENTAL OCCUPANCY The occupancy or use of a dwelling unit by one or more persons other than the owner as a home or residence under an arrangement whereby the occupant or occupants thereof pay rent for such occupancy and use. There is a rebuttable presumption that any occupancy or use of a dwelling unit is to be deemed a rental occupancy if the owner of the structure or building containing the dwelling unit does not reside in the same structure or building. RENTAL PROPERTY A property upon which is located a building or buildings or structure or structures which include one or more rental dwelling units.
Section 72-2 of Chester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 72 establishes the foundational vocabulary for the Village's rental registration and inspection program. Key terms such as 'rental dwelling unit,' 'rental occupancy,' 'owner,' and 'rent' are given specific meanings that govern how the rest of the article is applied. Notably, the provision creates a rebuttable presumption that any dwelling unit is being rented whenever the owner does not live in the same building, which can affect how occupancy is classified under the article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 72-2, property owners in Chester should be aware that the definitions in this section shape every obligation in the rental registration and inspection program. The broad definition of 'rent' covers not just cash payments but also services or other valuable consideration, meaning non-traditional arrangements may still qualify as rental occupancy. Operators who do not reside in the same building as their tenants should understand that the article presumes rental occupancy applies, placing registration and inspection responsibilities squarely on the owner as defined in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 72-2 establishes that the Village Building and Code Enforcement Department, through its Code Enforcement Officer, is authorized to enforce the rental regulations in Chapter 72. The definition of 'rental occupancy' is written broadly, so occupants paying any form of consideration for use of a dwelling unit may be covered by the article's protections regardless of whether a formal lease exists. Tenants who believe their living situation falls under these definitions and have concerns about compliance can contact the Village's Code Enforcement Department or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Chester's local ordinances.
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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