Title
Ordinance to Amend and Reenact the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia by Amending Chapter 16.1, Hotels and Similar Establishments, Sec 16.1-6 and Sec. 16.1-12 to Change an Incorrect Internal Code Reference and Further Clarify the City’s Requirements Regarding Length of Stay in a Hotel or Motel
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
During the course of enforcing the Hotel Ordinance, Hampton Police Division ("HPD") identified two minor changes that need to be made to the City Code. The first involves simply correcting an internal reference. The second change involves clarifying that a hotel operator is responsible for ensuring that his guests do not exceed the City's length of stay requirements. That requirement is already found in City Code Sec. 16.1-18 (e) which relates to conditions of hotel operating licenses, but this amendment will further emphasize the requirement.
Impact:
These amendments will ensure that HPD officers are able to efficiently enforce the City's Hotel Ordinance.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve the Ordinance.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, that Sections 16.1-6 and 16.1-12 of Chapter 16.1 of the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia be adopted to read as follows:
Chapter 16.1 - HOTELS AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS
Sec. 16.1-6 - Guest register generally
. . .
(c) The persons designated in section 16.1-13 may request to inspect the guest register required by this section at any and all reasonable times. If inspection of the guest register is refused, the operator, manager, or person in charge, shall secure the guest register in the manner required by and in the presence of the person designated in section 16.1-3 so that no one can tamper with the record until such time as an administrative or criminal search warrant can be obtained or denied.
. . .
Sec. 16.1-12 - Length of stay in hotel or motel.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to put up or stay at any hotel or motel, or for any person operating any hotel or motel to permit any person to stay, for longer than 30 days in a 180-day period. This section shall not apply to extended stay hotels as defined in the zoning ordinance that have either been designated as extended stay hotels by the zoning administrator or have received a use permit to operate as an extended stay hotel.