Southeast, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 108 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 108-3
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: BEDROOM A room in a dwelling unit specifically furnished for sleeping. The room must have at least one operable egress window and must be separated from other rooms by a door. Egress from a bedroom shall not pass through another bedroom. Keyed locks and padlocks are prohibited on bedroom doors. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER The Building Inspector, Assistant Building Inspector, Zoning Enforcement Officer, Sheriff, or Fire Inspector of the Town of Southeast. DWELLING UNIT A building or entirely self-contained portion thereof containing complete housekeeping facilities, including not more than one kitchen, for occupancy by only one family, including any domestic workers living and employed on the premises, having no enclosed space (other than vestibules, entrances or other hallways or porches) or cooking or sanitary facilities in common with any other dwelling unit. FAMILY The following shall constitute a family: A. Any number of persons occupying a dwelling unit, provided that all are related by blood, marriage or legal adoption and provided that they live and cook together as a single housekeeping unit; or B. Any number of persons not exceeding five occupying a dwelling unit and living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit, where not all are related by blood, marriage or legal adoption. OWNER The owner or any other person having the right to possession of a dwelling unit. RENT A return, in money, property or other valuable consideration (including payment in-kind or for services or other thing of value), for use and occupancy or the right to use and occupancy of a dwelling unit or portion thereof, whether or not a legal relationship of landlord and tenant exists between the owner and the occupant or occupants thereof. RENTAL OCCUPANCY The occupancy or use of a rental unit by one or more persons as a home or residence, under an arrangement whereby the occupant or occupants thereof pay rent for such occupancy and use. RENTAL UNIT A dwelling unit, or portion thereof, established, occupied, used or maintained for rental occupancy. SHORT-TERM RENTAL A dwelling unit, or portion thereof, within any single-family or two-family residential dwelling, which is rented to individuals or families who occupy the overnight accommodations for compensation for a period of less than 30 days. Occupancy is limited to no more than five persons per dwelling unit, or a number determined by the Planning Board based on the number of sleeping rooms and the septic system, whichever is less. Any dwelling which is rented or leased for a period of 30 days or more to individuals or families who then allow others to occupy the dwelling for periods of less than 30 days shall be considered a short-term rental unit and will require a permit for this use. Hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and country inns as defined in this chapter are excluded from this definition. SLEEPING ROOM An interior room other than a bedroom having at least one operable egress window and furnishings that may serve to afford sleep to a person or persons; however, sleep shall not be the primary function of the room. Examples include a living room, family room, den or great room furnished with a futon or convertible couch.
Section 108-3 of Southeast, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 108 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the town's rental regulations. Key terms such as "bedroom," "dwelling unit," "family," "rent," "rental unit," and "short-term rental" are each given specific, bounded meanings that govern how the rest of the chapter is applied. For example, a "bedroom" must have an operable egress window, a separating door, and no keyed or padlocked locks, while a "short-term rental" covers stays of fewer than 30 days and is capped at five occupants unless the Planning Board sets a lower limit. These definitions shape which properties and arrangements fall under the chapter's requirements and which are excluded.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in the Town of Southeast should familiarize themselves with the precise definitions in § 108-3, because terms like "rental unit," "short-term rental," and "bedroom" carry specific legal meanings that determine permit obligations and occupancy limits. A compliant operator ensures that any room marketed or used as a bedroom meets the egress-window requirement, has a door separating it from other rooms, and does not use keyed locks or padlocks on that door. Operators renting for periods under 30 days—or whose tenants sublease for such periods—should note that § 108-3 classifies those arrangements as short-term rentals, which triggers a separate permit requirement under the chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants renting in the Town of Southeast benefit from understanding the definitions in § 108-3, because those definitions determine whether their housing arrangement qualifies as a "rental unit" or "short-term rental" and what protections or obligations apply. For instance, the definition of "bedroom" in § 108-3 prohibits keyed locks and padlocks on bedroom doors, which may be relevant if a tenant believes a landlord has improperly secured a sleeping space. Tenants who have questions about whether their unit or occupancy arrangement is correctly classified under Chapter 108 may wish to contact the Town of Southeast's Code Enforcement Officer or consult a tenant-rights organization 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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