Bellevue — Ch. 8 Buildings, Housing, and Construction § 8-117
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Building official means the president for the village. Duplex means a building with two rental units. Multifamily building means a structure that contains three or more rental units. Owner means one or more persons, jointly, severally or in common, or any organization, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to real property, or all or part of the beneficial ownership and right to present use and enjoyment of real property. As used herein, the term "organization" includes, but shall not be limited to, a corporation, trust, estate, partnership, association bank, financial institution or any other legal or commercial entity. The term "owner" shall not include a lessee who previously occupied a rental unit and who is subleasing the rental unit for the remaining part of the lease of the lessee. Owner agent means a person who has charge, care, or control of a building, or part thereof, in which rental units are maintained. Rent, rented or rental means any payment made to an owner or an owner's agent pursuant to a rental agreement. Rental agreement means all agreements, written or oral, and rules and regulations embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and enjoyment of rented premises. The term "rental agreement" includes subleases. Rental property means a structure with one or more residential units which are leased for occupancy. However, the term "rental property" does not include property excluded in section 8-116 . Rental unit means one or more rooms in a structure arranged, designed and used as a residence or living quarters by one or more persons who are not its owners, and contained within a rental property. Single-family dwelling means a structure with one rental unit.
Section 8-117 of Bellevue's Chapter 8 establishes the precise meanings of key terms used throughout the article governing buildings, housing, and construction. Words like "owner," "rental unit," "duplex," and "multifamily building" carry specific legal definitions here that may differ from everyday usage. Notably, a sublessee who previously occupied a unit is explicitly excluded from the definition of "owner," and rental agreements are defined broadly to include both written and oral arrangements as well as subleases.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-117, property owners and managers should be aware that the term "owner" encompasses individuals, co-owners, and a wide range of organizations holding legal title or beneficial interest in real property. An "owner agent" — someone with charge, care, or control of a building — carries responsibilities under this article alongside the owner. Operators should also note that the definitions of "duplex," "multifamily building," and "single-family dwelling" are tied to the number of rental units, which may affect which specific requirements of Chapter 8 apply to a given property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-117 provides the foundational definitions that shape tenant rights and protections throughout Bellevue's housing article. Tenants should be aware that a "rental agreement" is defined broadly to include oral agreements and subleases, meaning informal arrangements may still carry legal weight under this framework. Tenants who believe a term is being misapplied to their situation — such as whether their housing qualifies as a "rental unit" or "rental property" — may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Bellevue's Chapter 8 regulations.
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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References In
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