Madison CHAPTER 114: APARTMENTS AND RENTAL PROPERTY; LODGING § 114.01
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. APARTMENT HOUSE. A residential building designed for three or more dwelling units. OWNER. The owner of any real property for rent or lease. RENTAL UNIT. Any dwelling unit or structure in which the owner allows another person or persons to reside for rent, hire or lease, including, but not limited to any purchase under contract for deed where the seller retains an interest in the property or a lease/buy-back agreement. RESPONSIBLE PERSON. The person or persons who reside within the corporate limits of the city, designated by an owner who does not reside within the corporate limits of the city, to receive all notices, letters of violation and other communications and to handle or forward all communication to the owner. Service of a communication upon the RESPONSIBLE PERSON shall be deemed the same as service upon the OWNER . VIOLATION CORRECTION ORDER. A document issued by the inspection authorities of the city listing the violations and required corrections to be made within a stated time. (Ord. 1302, passed 3-27-1996)
Madison Chapter 114, § 114.01 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's apartment and rental property regulations. Key terms defined include 'Rental Unit,' which covers a broad range of arrangements where an owner permits occupancy for compensation—including contract-for-deed situations—and 'Responsible Person,' a local designee who can receive official notices on behalf of an out-of-city owner. A 'Violation Correction Order' is defined as an official city document that identifies code violations and sets a deadline for correcting them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Madison Chapter 114, § 114.01, owners who do not reside within Madison's city limits are expected to designate a 'Responsible Person' who does live within those limits to receive notices, violation letters, and other official communications. Compliant operators ensure this designation is current and that the Responsible Person is prepared to relay communications promptly, since service on that designee carries the same legal weight as service on the owner directly. Owners should also be familiar with the 'Violation Correction Order' definition, as receiving one triggers a time-limited obligation to address listed code issues.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Madison Chapter 114, § 114.01 defines the scope of what qualifies as a 'Rental Unit' broadly, meaning protections and obligations under Chapter 114 can apply to a range of living arrangements beyond a standard lease, including certain contract-for-deed situations. Tenants who receive or become aware of a Violation Correction Order issued to their property can use that document as evidence that the city has identified code deficiencies requiring correction within a set timeframe. Tenants seeking to understand how these definitions affect their specific housing situation may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the full Chapter 114 framework.
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 11, 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
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.