Johnson City, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 165 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 165-5
Definitions
Operative Text
Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context clearly indicates a different intention, the following terms have the following meanings and shall be so construed wherever they appear in this chapter. APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY The Code Enforcement Office. BED-AND-BREAKFAST or TOURIST HOME A single-family dwelling occupied and used by the owner of such dwelling as their principal residence, and within such dwelling unit there are not more than four accessory guest rooms whose occupants' stay shall not exceed seven days and for which a morning meal only is provided. BEDROOM Any room or space used or intended to be used for sleeping purposes. CIVIL PENALTY A penalty levied by the Code Enforcement Officer against an existing permittee in accordance with this chapter. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE The division within the Village charged with the duty to inspect dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units, premises and structures for compliance with this chapter, and may also mean, as the context indicates, a member of that division. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER The person designated by the Mayor or Board of Trustees to issue permits pursuant to the New York State Village Law, the administrator of the Code Enforcement Office or their designee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Mayor or Board of Trustees to delegate permitting authority to the Code Enforcement Officer. The designated officer shall be the authorized representative for the enforcement of this chapter and for the administration of the division. CODE OFFICIAL Also referenced as the Code Enforcement Officer, the person appointed by the Mayor or Board of Trustees pursuant to the New York State Village Law to issue permits; and the person charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter, or any duly authorized representative thereof. COMMON AREAS The areas within a two-family or multiple dwelling that are available for common use by all tenants of all dwelling units. Examples include but are not limited to: A. Lobbies. B. Corridors. C. Stairways. D. Washing machines and laundry rooms. E. Roof. F. Elevators. G. Washrooms in lobby areas. H. Storerooms. I. Basements. J. Attic. DWELLING UNIT A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. EXTERIOR PROPERTY The open space on the premises and on adjoining property under the control of owners or operators of such premises. HABITABLE SPACE Space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility space and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces. MULTIPLE DWELLING Any building containing more than two dwelling units or rooming units. OWNER The record titleholder or contract purchaser, property manager, tenant under a recorded lease or any executor, administrator, trustee, conservator or other fiduciary, mortgagee or lienholder thereof; an agent for the receipt of notice, legal process or other service or any individual acting in a fiduciary capacity for the record titleholder or contract purchaser. OWNER'S AGENT Any person, company, corporation or other entity that has the authority to act on behalf of or in the place of the owner. PERMITTEE An owner who has been issued a rental permit within the preceding 36 months. PERSON Any natural person and any entity that is recognized by law as having the rights and obligations of a natural person. RECORD TITLEHOLDER Any person holding title of record by deed, contract of sale, or judicial determination. REGISTERED COMPLAINT Any oral or written communication or personal observation upon which the Code Enforcement Officer has probable cause to believe that additional investigation is required to verify compliance with this chapter. RENTAL AGREEMENT A written or oral agreement embodying and fixing the terms and conditions for the transfer of possession and the use and occupancy of premises, whether or not for a definite period of time. RENTAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES A. Dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units, two-family dwellings, or multiple dwellings which are occupied by one or more persons, none of whom is a record titleholder; or B. Dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units, two-family dwellings, or multiple dwellings which are used for residential purposes under the terms of a rental agreement. ROOMING UNIT Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit occupied or intended to be occupied for sleeping or living, but not for cooking purposes. SHORT-TERM RENTAL Any room or group of rooms being rented or leased for a period of time less than 30 days, i.e., Airbnb, VRBO, vacation rentals. Excluding rooming houses (see Chapter 166 Article VII ). TENANT A person, corporation, partnership or group, not the legal owner of record, occupying a dwelling unit or portion thereof as a unit. TWO-FAMILY DWELLING A building of two dwelling units, separated by common walls and/or floors. It may or may not have a direct entrance from the outside to each dwelling unit.
Section 165-5 of Johnson City, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 165 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the chapter's rental housing regulations. It defines key terms — such as "dwelling unit," "permittee," "rooming unit," "short-term rental," and "owner" — that determine how the chapter's requirements apply to different types of properties and parties. The definitions also identify the Code Enforcement Office as the "appropriate authority" responsible for inspecting and enforcing compliance. Because these definitions shape the meaning of every other provision in the chapter, they function as the interpretive backbone of the entire regulatory framework.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 165-5, the term "owner" is defined broadly to include not only record titleholders but also property managers, contract purchasers, and fiduciaries — meaning that management companies and agents may carry regulatory obligations alongside the titleholder. Operators who rent units for fewer than 30 days should note that § 165-5 classifies such arrangements as "short-term rentals" (citing platforms like Airbnb and VRBO), which are treated separately from standard rental agreements under the chapter. Compliant operators generally ensure that anyone acting on their behalf qualifies as an "owner's agent" under this section and that all rental arrangements — written or oral — are recognized as "rental agreements" subject to the chapter's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 165-5 defines "tenant" to include any person, corporation, or group occupying a dwelling unit who is not the legal owner of record, which establishes who holds rights and protections under Chapter 165. The definition of "registered complaint" is also relevant to tenants: it encompasses oral as well as written communications that give the Code Enforcement Officer probable cause to investigate a potential violation, meaning tenants have a recognized pathway to trigger an inspection. Tenants who believe conditions in their unit or common areas fall short of the chapter's standards may contact the Code Enforcement Office — identified in § 165-5 as the "appropriate authority" — or consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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