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For purposes of sections 8.400 through 8.440 of this code, the following words and phrases mean:

Affordable Housing. Housing that is guaranteed to be affordable, under guidelines established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, to households that earn no more than 80 percent of the median household income for the city of Eugene, for a period of at least 20 years; or housing for low-income persons that is eligible for an exemption from systems development charges pursuant to section 7.725(2) of this code.

Agent. A person authorized to act on behalf of another person.

Applicant Screening Charge. Any payment of money required by a landlord of an applicant prior to entering into a rental agreement with that applicant for rental housing, the purpose of which is to pay the cost of processing an application for a rental agreement for rental housing.

Building code. The currently adopted edition of the State of Oregon Structural Specialty Code or Oregon Residential Specialty Code.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm. A device that:

(a) Detects carbon monoxide;

(b) Produces a distinctive audible alert when carbon monoxide is detected;

(c) Conforms to State Fire Marshal rules;

(d) Is listed by Underwriters Laboratories or any other nationally recognized testing laboratory or an equivalent organization; and

(e) Operates as a distinct unit or as two or more single station units wired to operate in conjunction with each other.

Carbon Monoxide Source. A heater, fireplace, appliance or cooking source that uses coal, kerosene, petroleum products, wood or other fuels that emit carbon monoxide as a by-product of combustion, or an attached garage with an opening that communicates directly with a living space.

City Manager. The city manager or the manager’s designee.

Dwelling unit. A building or portion of a building that is used as a home, residence or sleeping place by one or more persons who maintain a household. For purposes of this City Rental Housing Code, where portions of a residential building are occupied under separate rental agreements, but tenants share eating, cooking, and/or sanitation facilities, each portion under a separate rental agreement shall be considered a dwelling unit.

Essential Services. Heat, plumbing, hot and cold running water, gas, electricity, light fixtures, locks for exterior doors, latches for windows and any cooking appliance or refrigerator supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord; and any other service or habitability obligation imposed by the rental agreement or ORS 90.320, the lack or violation of which creates a serious threat to the tenant’s health, safety or property or makes the dwelling unit unfit for occupancy.

Habitable room. Any room used for sleeping, living, cooking or dining purposes, but excluding closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, hallways, laundries, storage spaces, utility rooms and similar spaces.

Landlord. The owner, lessor, or sublessor of the rental housing. “Landlord” includes a person who is authorized by the owner, lessor, or sublessor to manage the rental housing or to enter into a rental agreement.

Materially Incomplete Application. A rental housing application that does not include the information and supporting documentation required by a landlord to conduct an application screening pursuant to the landlord’s adopted screening or admission criteria.

Meaningful Access. The ability of a person with limited English language proficiency to use or obtain language assistance services or resources to understand and communicate effectively, including but not limited to translation or interpretation services.

Mechanical code. The current edition of the State of Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code or Oregon Residential Specialty Code.

Open Application Period. The period of time during which a landlord will accept rental housing applications for a publicly advertised dwelling unit.

Pet Deposit. A refundable payment or deposit of money, however designated, the primary function of which is to secure the performance of a term of a rental agreement or any part of a rental agreement by a tenant who keeps a pet in the dwelling unit that is the subject of the rental agreement.

Qualified Applicant . An applicant that meets the landlord’s screening or admission criteria.

Rental agreement. All written or oral agreements concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit and premises. “Rental agreement” includes a lease.

Rental housing. A legal dwelling unit which is the subject of a rental agreement.

Rent. Any payment to be made to the landlord under the rental agreement, periodic or otherwise, in exchange for the right of a tenant and any permitted pet to occupy a dwelling unit to the exclusion of others and to use the premises. “Rent” does not include security deposits, fees, or utility or service charges as described in this City Rental Housing Code or ORS Chapter 90.

Screening or Admission Criteria. A written statement of any factors a landlord considers in deciding whether to accept or reject an applicant and any qualifications required for acceptance. “Screening or admission criteria” includes, but is not limited to, the rental history, character references, public records, criminal records, credit reports, credit references and incomes or resources of the applicant.

Security Deposit. A refundable payment or deposit of money, however designated, the primary function of which is to secure the performance of a rental agreement or any part of a rental agreement. As used in the City Rental Housing Code, a pet deposit is not considered a security deposit.

Substantial Change to the Rental Agreement. A change of terms from those included in a prior rental agreement between a landlord and tenant that substantially disadvantages the tenant, and the landlord does not provide for a commensurate decrease in rent. Examples of substantial changes to a rental agreement include, but are not limited to: tenant responsibility for payment of utilities previously included in the monthly rent; tenant responsibility for payment for a parking spot previously included in the monthly rent; landlord no longer allowing pets to occupy the dwelling unit; reduction of space available for tenant use; reduction of amenities available for tenant use; and removal of furnishings from furnished units.

Tenant. A person entitled under a rental agreement to occupy rental housing to the exclusion of others.

Tenant Support Services. Services provided to tenants of rental housing, such as, but not limited to: tenant hotline; eviction diversion; support for ex-offenders and other individuals with similar challenges who are struggling to qualify for rental housing; and support for tenants seeking rental housing that is accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.

Transient lodging. A room or suite of rooms which is occupied not as a principal residence by persons for periods of less than 30 consecutive days.

Week-to-Week Tenancy. A tenancy that has all of the following characteristics: occupancy is charged on a weekly basis and is payable no less frequently than every seven days; there is a written rental agreement that defines the landlord’s and the tenant’s rights and responsibilities under Oregon law; and there are no fees or security deposits, although the landlord may require the payment of applicant screening charge.

(Section 8.415 added by Ordinance No. 20329, enacted November 22, 2004, effective December 30, 2004, to sunset December 31, 2008; sunset date extended to December 31, 2011, by Ordinance No. 20408, enacted May 27, 2008, effective June 30, 2008; sunset date extended to September 30, 2012 by Ordinance No. 20480, enacted November 28, 2011, effective December 30, 2011; sunset date extended to September 30, 2016, by Ordinance No. 20494, enacted June 11, 2012, effective July 14, 2012; sunset date extended to March 1, 2017 by Ordinance No. 20568, enacted September 26, 2016, effective September 30, 2016; amended and sunset date removed by Ordinance 20573, enacted January 25, 2017, effective February 26, 2017; Ordinance No. 20670, enacted July 11, 2022, effective August 13, 2022; amended by Ordinance 20694, enacted July 24, 2023, effective August 25, 2023.)