Fairview Heights, IL Code of Ordinances Art. XI Residential Rental License §§ 8-11-1 – 8-11-11 § 8-11-2
Definitions
Operative Text
(A) Residential Rental Dwelling/Residential Rental Unit – Shall include any
non-owner occupied dwelling(s) being made available to a person or persons, in exchange for
compensation or involving a mutual agreement of any kind. The Residential Rental Dwelling/Unit shall
include the entire property on which the rental dwelling is affixed including all other buildings and
structures located on the property. For the purpose of this ordinance, residential rental dwellings/units
shall also include dwellings occupied by person(s) other than the legal owner(s), when a Contract for
Deed/Bond for Deed or other similar agreement is in effect with the owner, whether recorded or non-
recorded.
(B) Owner – Any person, partnership, trust, corporation, business entity,
condominium, townhouse, or homeowner’s association holding legal title and named on the legal deed to
the dwelling unit and/or the property on which the dwelling is affixed.
(C) Non-Resident Owner – The owner(s) of any rental unit whose main residence
is located outside the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area.
(D) Local Agent – Shall include a bona fide property management agency; a person
or persons who resides within the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area and is authorized by the (non-
resident) property owner(s):
(1) To act upon and make decisions in the interest of the property in the
owner’s absence.
(2) Who upon request, can, within a reasonable time, be contacted for
notification or response to the property to assist in addressing any
immediate problems or emergency situation?
(3) To be contacted by the CFRH coordinator for reports of any criminal
and/or calls for police service at the property.
(4) Who has the authority by the owner for the receipt of service; notice of
violation and for service of process pursuant to the provisions of this
ordinance.
(E) City – The City of Fairview Heights, Illinois, including its employees, officers,
agents, and authorized representatives.
(F) License – A Residential Rental License issued by the City of Fairview Heights.Section 8-11-2 of the Fairview Heights Residential Rental License ordinance establishes the foundational definitions that govern the entire Article XI licensing framework. A 'Residential Rental Dwelling/Unit' is broadly defined to cover any non-owner-occupied property rented for compensation or under any mutual agreement, including properties occupied under a Contract for Deed arrangement, and encompasses the full parcel and all structures on it. Key terms such as 'Owner,' 'Non-Resident Owner,' 'Local Agent,' and 'City' are also defined here, setting the scope of who is subject to the ordinance's requirements and how official communications and enforcement actions are to be directed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-11-2, property owners in Fairview Heights should be aware that the ordinance's definitions are intentionally broad — covering not just traditional leases but also Contract for Deed arrangements and any mutual-agreement occupancy. Owners whose primary residence falls outside the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area are classified as 'Non-Resident Owners' and are generally expected to designate a Local Agent within that metro area who is authorized to receive notices of violation, respond to emergencies, and accept service of process on the owner's behalf. Compliant operators typically ensure their Local Agent information is current and that the agent has the legal authority described in § 8-11-2(D) to act on the property's behalf.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-11-2 is relevant to tenants because it defines what qualifies as a residential rental unit subject to Fairview Heights' licensing requirements — a category broad enough to include occupants under a Contract for Deed, not just conventional renters. If a property's owner lives outside the St. Louis metro area, the ordinance requires that a Local Agent be designated and reachable, which can be an important contact point for tenants experiencing emergencies or code issues. Tenants who believe their dwelling falls under § 8-11-2's definitions and that the owner is not complying with the ordinance's requirements may wish to contact the City of Fairview Heights directly or consult a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation