Ellenville, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 181 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 181-1
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: DWELLING UNIT A building or entirely self-contained portion thereof containing complete living, sleeping, cooking and eating facilities. GUEST A person who shares a dwelling unit in a nonpermanent status for not more than 90 days in any one calendar year period. 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, whether or not a legal relationship of landlord and tenant exists between the owner and the occupant or occupants thereof. RENTED RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT UNIT A residential building or part thereof which contains one or more dwelling units and in which space is occupied or intended to be occupied by one or more persons who is not the owner or who is not the husband or wife, son or daughter, mother or father or sister or brother of the owner. Expressly excluded from this definition are hotels, motels, rooming and boarding houses if covered by any other village, town, county or state laws, rules, regulations or ordinances. Also expressly excluded are single boarders, foster children or guests living with the owner of said property. RRAU Rented residential apartment units.
Section 181-1 of Ellenville, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 181 establishes the foundational vocabulary for the village's rental housing chapter. It defines key terms such as "dwelling unit," "guest," "rent," and "rented residential apartment unit" (RRAU), drawing boundaries around which properties and arrangements fall under the chapter's scope. Notably, hotels, motels, and rooming or boarding houses covered by other laws are excluded, as are certain close family members of the owner and short-term guests staying no more than 90 days in a calendar year.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Ellenville should be familiar with the definitions set out in § 181-1, since these terms govern how the rest of ch. 181 applies to their properties. A compliant operator generally understands whether their building qualifies as a "rented residential apartment unit" (RRAU) — for example, recognizing that occupancy by immediate family members of the owner or by guests staying fewer than 90 days may place those arrangements outside the chapter's coverage. Operators of hotels, motels, or rooming and boarding houses already regulated under other applicable laws should also confirm whether their properties fall within one of the express exclusions listed in § 181-1.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants in Ellenville, the definitions in § 181-1 of ch. 181 help clarify whether their living arrangement is covered by the village's rental housing rules. The broad definition of "rent" — which includes payment in kind or services, not just money — means that a variety of compensation arrangements can still bring a unit within the chapter's protections. Tenants who are uncertain whether their unit qualifies as an RRAU under § 181-1, or whether an exclusion applies to their situation, may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the full chapter for additional context.
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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