North Hempstead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 8 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 8-4
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: AUTHORIZED AGENT Any person, organization, legally chartered business entity, partnership, association or other legally recognized group given express, written authorization by an owner to act on his behalf regarding this chapter and all state and local rules, regulations and ordinances referenced herein. BUILDING COMMISSIONER Commissioner of the Department of Building, Safety Inspection and Enforcement, or his designee. BUILDING DEPARTMENT The Department of Building, Safety Inspection and Enforcement. COMMUNITY RESIDENCE A building, structure or part thereof with sleeping facilities used as a residence, shelter, halfway home or in some other similar communal arrangement by a group with a common need, addiction, problem or circumstance. DWELLING UNIT A living unit containing one or more habitable rooms with provisions for living, cooking, eating, sanitary and sleeping facilities arranged for the use of not more than one family. FAMILY One individual or a collective group of individuals either: A. Related to each other by blood, marriage or adoption who live together in the same dwelling unit, cook together and function as a single, stable housekeeping unit with common access to all rooms and facilities; or B. Not related by blood, marriage or adoption but who together constitute the functional equivalent of a natural family, all living together in the same dwelling unit, cooking together and generally functioning as a single, stable housekeeping unit, all with common access to all rooms and facilities, with no member or members of such group subletting, subleasing or otherwise controlling any part of the dwelling separately from the others. MULTIPLE RESIDENCE A building containing three or more dwelling units; a building with one or more sleeping rooms, other than a one- or two-family dwelling, used or occupied by permanent or transient paying guests or tenants, with or without meals, including but not limited to hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts and lodging houses; a building with sleeping accommodations for more than five persons used or occupied as a club, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house or similar uses; a building used or occupied as an old-age, retirement, assisted-living or other residence for senior citizens; or a community residence with accommodations for five or more occupants. OWNER The deeded title holder of a building, structure or part thereof. UNIFORM CODE The New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
Section 8-4 of North Hempstead's Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 establishes the precise meanings of key terms used throughout the chapter, including 'dwelling unit,' 'family,' 'multiple residence,' 'owner,' and others. These definitions set the boundaries for how the chapter's rules apply — for example, distinguishing a single dwelling unit from a multiple residence, or clarifying what qualifies as a 'family' for occupancy purposes. The definitions also identify the administrative actors, such as the Building Commissioner and Building Department, who carry out the chapter's requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-4, property owners and managers should be familiar with how terms like 'owner,' 'authorized agent,' 'dwelling unit,' and 'multiple residence' are defined, since these definitions determine which obligations under Chapter 8 apply to a given property. An owner who wishes to designate someone else to act on their behalf must provide express, written authorization to that person or entity to qualify them as an 'authorized agent' under this section. Operators of buildings that may fall under the 'multiple residence' or 'community residence' definitions should confirm how their property is classified, as that classification affects which regulatory requirements apply.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-4 provides the foundational definitions that shape tenant protections and obligations throughout Chapter 8 of North Hempstead's Code of Ordinances. The definition of 'family,' for instance, is broad enough to include groups of unrelated individuals who function as a single housekeeping unit, which can be relevant when questions arise about who is permitted to occupy a dwelling unit. Tenants who believe a landlord or the Building Department is misapplying these definitions to their living situation may wish to review the full text of § 8-4 and consult a tenant-rights organization or housing attorney 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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