Middletown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 296 § 296-29
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this article, the following tents shall have the meaning indicated: CHANGE IN OCCUPANCY Whenever a tenant moves from or vacates, willingly or otherwise, or expresses the firm intent to vacate a dwelling unit in a single-family dwelling or in an owner-occupied two-family dwelling. OWNER-OCCUPIED TWO-FAMILY DWELLING A detached building designed for or occupied exclusively by two families living independently of each other, in which the owner of the plot upon which the two-family dwelling is situated lives on premises. RENTAL PERMIT A document issued by the Department of Public Works to a property owner in accordance with the standards and requirements set forth in this article. SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING A dwelling unit designed for or occupied exclusively by one family in detached and attached buildings. Includes condominium and townhouse units. TENANT A party whose right to possession of a residential rental unit is subject to the express or implied consent of the owner.
Section 296-29 of Middletown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 296 establishes the working definitions for key terms used throughout the rental-permit article. It clarifies what counts as a 'change in occupancy' (including voluntary and involuntary departures, as well as a firm stated intent to leave), and it distinguishes between single-family dwellings, owner-occupied two-family dwellings, and the tenants who occupy them. These definitions set the boundaries for which properties and situations are covered by the rental-permit requirements in the rest of the article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Chapter 296 should be familiar with how § 296-29 defines the properties they own and the events that trigger regulatory obligations. A 'change in occupancy' is defined broadly — it includes not just a tenant physically vacating but also a tenant's firm expressed intent to leave — which means compliant operators generally treat such expressions as the start of a regulated transition. Owners of detached two-family buildings where they personally reside on-site should note that their properties fall under the specific 'owner-occupied two-family dwelling' definition, which may carry distinct treatment under the article's rental-permit requirements issued by the Department of Public Works.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 296-29 defines 'tenant' as any party whose right to occupy a residential rental unit depends on the owner's express or implied consent, which establishes who is covered by the protections and obligations in Chapter 296. Notably, the definition of 'change in occupancy' includes a tenant's firm stated intent to vacate — meaning that expressing a clear plan to leave may trigger certain regulatory processes even before a physical move-out occurs. Tenants who want to understand how these definitions affect their situation can consult local tenant-rights organizations or review the full text of Chapter 296 with a housing counselor.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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