For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BUILDING. A roofed structure, enclosed by one or more walls, for the shelter, housing, storage, or enclosure of persons, goods, materials, equipment, or animals.
COURT. An open and unoccupied space on a lot enclosed on at least three sides by the walls of a building.
DANGEROUS BUILDING. All buildings or structures which have any or all of the following defects shall be deemed dangerous buildings:
(1) Those whose interior walls or other vertical structure members list, lean, or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity falls outside the middle third of its base;
(2) Those which, exclusive of the foundation, show damage or deterioration to 33% of the supporting member or members, or damage or deterioration to 50% of the nonsupporting enclosing or outside walls or covering;
(3) Those which have improperly distributed loads upon the floors or roofs or in which the same are overloaded, or which have insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose used;
(4) Those which have been damaged by fire, wind, or other causes so as to be dangerous to life, safety, or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the public;
(5) Those which are so damaged, dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary, vermin infested, or which so utterly fail to provide the amenities essential to decent living that they are unfit for human habitation or are likely to cause sickness or disease so as to work injury to the health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants or the public;
(6) Those which have parts thereof which are so attached that they may fall and work injury to the health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants or the public, or cause damage to public property;
(7) Those which lack illumination, ventilation, or sanitation facilities or, because of another condition, are unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise dangerous to the health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants or the public;
(8) Those which, because of their location, are unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants or the public; and
(9) Those existing in violation of any provision of the codes or other ordinances of the borough.
GARBAGE. All animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food.
INFESTATION. The presence of insects, rodents, vermin, and/or other pests.
LESSEE. Owner for the purpose of this subchapter, when the lessor holds the lessee responsible for maintenance and repairs.
LOT. Plot, tracts, premises, or parcel of land, with or without improvements thereto.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Any type of mechanical device, propelled by a motor, in which persons or property may be transported upon public streets or highways, and including trailers or semitrailers pulled thereby.
NUISANCE. Any condition, structure, or improvement which shall constitute a danger or potential danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of the borough.
OWNER. Any person or persons, jointly and severally, firm, corporation, or other entity which, either by conveyance or inheritance or otherwise, is vested with the title to a lot and/or improvements thereto or who retains the exclusive control of such a lot and/or improvements thereto in his or her capacity as a legal representative, such as an administrator, trustee, executor, and the like.
PERSON. A natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or other legal entity.
REFUSE. All solid wastes, including garbage, rubbish, ashes, dead animals, and market and industrial wastes.
RUBBISH. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, including garbage, refuse, glass, metal, paper, wood, rags, cartons, boxes, rubber, leather, tin cans, bottles, mineral matter, crockery, lumber, wire, pipe, broken stone or cement, tree branches, plant growth, building materials, plumbing or electrical materials, furniture, or scrap iron.
UNOCCUPIED HAZARD. Any building, or part thereof, or human-made structure which remains unoccupied for a period of more than six months, with either doors, windows, or other openings broken, removed, boarded, or sealed up, or any building under construction upon which little or no construction work has been performed for a period of more than six months.
YARD. Any open space on the same lot with a building and, for the most part, unobstructed from the ground up.
(Prior Code, Ch. 10, Pt. 2, § 203) (Ord. 2-94, passed 9-11-1994; Ord. 2-2001, passed 7-2-2001)