Title
Ordinance to Amend and Reenact the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia by Amending Chapter 16.1, Hotels and Similar Establishments, Section 16.1-1, Section 16.1-6, Section 16.1-7, Section 16.1-8, Section 16.1-11, Section 16.1-12, Section 16.1-13, Section 16.1-15, and Section 16.1-18, Section 16.1-20, and Section 16.1-21 to Remove Unnecessary Provisions and Enhance the Ability of the City to Prevent Criminal Activities in Hotels and Motels
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The City Attorney's Office has been working with the Hampton Police Division's Business Improvement District unit and Public Nuisance Abatement Team on issues relating to crime in hotels and motels and hotel ordinance enforcement. The proposed amendments were developed through those collaborations. Many of the amendments are designed to combat crime and avoid large parties occurring in hotel rooms, particularly parties involving minors. The amendments will require hotels to keep more detailed registry information, such as recording the name and address of each hotel guest, even if the hotel room was rented by a third party. The amendments also make it unlawful for a minor to rent a hotel or motel room or to occupy a room without the presence of parent, guardian or other responsible adult. In addition, the amendments require that all guests check in at the front desk before they can visit a room in the hotel or motel and will allow police officers to enforce occupancy limits for hotel rooms.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, that Chapter 16.1 of the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia be amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 16.1 - HOTELS AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS
Sec. 16.1-1. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Hotel and motel means a facility offering transient lod...
Click here for full text