San Jose Mun. Code Chapter 17.23 § 17.23.100
General (San Jose Apartment Rent Ordinance and Tenant Protection Ordinance)
Operative Text
Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions set forth in this Part govern the construction of the Apartment Rent Ordinance.
Section 17.23.100 of the San Jose Municipal Code establishes that the definitions provided within the Apartment Rent Ordinance's definitional part control how the ordinance's language is interpreted, unless a specific context calls for a different reading. This means that when a term appears throughout the ordinance, its meaning is anchored to the definitions laid out in that same part. The provision functions as an interpretive foundation, ensuring consistent application of the ordinance's terminology.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 17.23.100, property owners and managers subject to San Jose's Apartment Rent Ordinance should look to the ordinance's defined terms when interpreting their obligations. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with those definitions before applying any substantive provision, since the defined meanings govern how the rules are construed. Consulting the full definitional part alongside any specific section helps ensure accurate interpretation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 17.23.100 signals that when reading any part of San Jose's Apartment Rent Ordinance, the meanings of key terms are set by the ordinance's own definitions section. Tenants who encounter unfamiliar or disputed terminology in the ordinance can look to those definitions as the authoritative source. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with the Apartment Rent Ordinance can help explain how specific defined terms may apply to a given situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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