Schenectady, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-3

As used in this chapter, these terms shall have the meanings indicated as follows: ACTION or PROCEEDING Any action or proceeding which may be instituted in the City Court of the City of Schenectady or the County Court of the County of Schenectady or the Supreme Court of the County of Schenectady or any court of competent jurisdiction with an alleged violation of any ordinance or law of the City of Schenectady. BUILDING Any improved real property, residential or mixed use (commercial-residential) located within the City of Schenectady that is non-owner-occupied. CHANGE IN OCCUPANCY Whenever a tenant shall move from, vacate or quit willingly or otherwise or express the firm intent to vacate or quit a rental unit. EXIT That portion of the way of departure from the interior of a building or structure to the exterior at street or grade level accessible to a street consisting of: A. Corridors, stairways and lobbies enclosed in construction having a fire-resistance rating, including the door opening thereto from a habitable or nonhabitable space; B. An interior stairway; C. A horizontal exit; D. A door to the exterior at grade; or E. An exterior stairway or ramp. HABITABLE SPACE Space occupied by one or more persons for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Kitchenettes (kitchens) with less than 60 square feet shall not be deemed "habitable space." IDENTIFICATION OF BUILDING It is required that the house number be placed on the building in a conspicuous place. NONHABITABLE SPACE Those spaces used for access and vertical travel between stories, and space used for kitchenettes, pantries, baths, toilets, laundry, rest, dressing, lockers, storage, utility, heaters and boiler rooms, closets and other spaces for service and maintenance of the building. OWNER Any individual or individuals, partnership or corporation or any similar type business organization, whether for profit or otherwise, in whose name title to a building stands, including a mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, agent or any other person, firm or corporation directly or indirectly in control of the property. PROCESS A summons or any notice, mandate or any other paper process issued under any provision of the Code of the City of Schenectady or any law or regulation of the State of New York. RENTAL CERTIFICATE A document issued by the Building Inspector to a property owner in accordance with standards and requirements set forth in this chapter. RENTAL PROPERTY Includes all properties which are either rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied for residential or mixed use (commercial-residential), and are non-owner-occupied. For any rental property to be considered owner-occupied, the owner must prove that all individual owners, all partners, or all shareholders of a corporation actually have their principal residence at the rental property and reside therein on a full-time basis, it being the actual domicile of all individual owners, all partners, or all shareholders. At the request of the City of Schenectady, any owner who claims to occupy the rental property shall provide a sworn affidavit providing the necessary information to support his or her claim that the premises are owner-occupied. RENTAL UNIT A residential unit occupied by a party other than an owner. RESIDENTIAL UNIT One or more rooms with provision for sanitary and sleeping facilities, for food preparation, for living and for working. TEMPORARY RENTAL CERTIFICATE A document issued for a specified period of time by the Building Inspector. TENANT A party whose right to possession of a rental unit is subject to the express or implied consent of the owner.