For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BUILDING. An independent structure having a roof supported by columns or walls resting on its own foundation and includes dwelling, garage, barn, stable, shed, greenhouse, mobile home, plant, factory, warehouse, school, or similar structure.
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 structural members list, lean, or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity falls outside of 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, 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 the public’s property;
(7) Those which lack illumination, ventilation, or sanitation facilities or because of another condition are unsafe, unsanitary, or 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/or
(9) Those existing in violation of any provision of the codes or other ordinances of the borough.
DWELLING.
(1) Any building which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants.
(2) Whenever the words DWELLING, DWELLING UNIT, or PREMISES are used in this subchapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words “or any part thereof.”
DWELLING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants.
EXTERMINATION. Control and elimination of insects, rodents, or other pests by eliminating their harborage places, removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food, poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping, or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods.
GARBAGE. Animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food.
INFESTATION. Presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents, or other pests.
OWNER. Person who, alone or jointly or severally with others:
(1) Shall have legal title to any dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; and
(2) Shall have charge, care, or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix, or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such person thus representing the actual OWNER shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this subchapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he or she were the OWNER.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, corporation, association, or partnership or other legal entity.
PROPERTY. A piece, parcel, lot, or tract of land.
RUBBISH. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage, including residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke, and other combustible material, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery, and dust.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected with a fixed or ascertainable location on the ground or in water, whether or not affixed to the ground or anchored in the water, including buildings, walls, fences, platforms, docks, wharves, billboards, signs, and walks.
(Prior Code, Ch. 4, Pt. 1, § 101) (Ord. 2-2001, passed 7-2-2001)