For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Unless otherwise noted herein, definitions shall conform to the North Carolina Building and Electrical Codes.
CELLAR. A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground, having an adequate access to light and air from windows located partly or wholly below the level of the adjoining ground.
DETERIORATED. A dwelling that is unfit for human habitation and can be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this chapter, at a cost not in excess of 50% of its value, as determined by finding of the Inspector.
DWELLING. Any building wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants; provided that temporary housing, as hereinafter defined, shall not be regarded as a dwelling. The word DWELLING, wherever used herein, shall also be construed to mean any structure that has not been occupied by the owner or the owner’s tenant for a period of 90 consecutive days.
DWELLING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single habitable, unit with facilities used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.
EXTERMINATION. The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food; by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the Inspector.
GARBAGE. The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
HABITABLE ROOM. Except for kitchens, habitable rooms shall have a floor area of not less than 70 square feet, and shall be not less than seven feet in any horizontal dimension. The height effect on habitable room area shall be that portions of a room with a sloping ceiling measuring less than five feet, or a furred ceiling measuring less than seven feet from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not be considered as contributing to the minimum required habitable area for that room.
HABITABLE SPACE. Space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
INFESTATION. The presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents or other pests in a number as to constitute a menace to the health, safety or welfare of the occupant or to the public.
INSPECTOR. The Building Inspector of the county or any agent of the Inspector who is authorized by the Inspector.
MULTIPLE DWELLING. Any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units.
OCCUPANT. Any person over one year of age, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in, or having actual possession of a dwelling unit or rooming unit.
OPERATOR. Any person who has charge, care or control of a building, or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let.
OWNER.
(1) Any person who, alone, jointly or severally with others:
(a) Shall have title to any dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or
(b) 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, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner.
(2) Any person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter, and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he or she were the owner.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY. The County Department of Social Services, the County Building Inspector or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the county or the state relating to health, fire, building regulations or other activities concerning dwellings in the county.
ROOMING HOUSE. Any dwelling, or that part of any dwelling containing one or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to three or more persons who are not husband and wife, son or daughter, mother or father or sister or brother of the owner or operator.
ROOMING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
RUBBISH. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage and ashes. The term shall include paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass crockery and dust.
SUPPLIED. Paid for, furnished or provided by, or under the control of, the owner or operator.
TEMPORARY HOUSING. Any tent, trailer or other structure used for human shelter designed to be transportable and that is not attached to the ground, to another structure, or to any utilities system on the same premises for more than 30 consecutive days.
UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION. Conditions exist in a dwelling that violate or do not comply with one or more of the minimum standards of fitness or one or more of the requirements established by this chapter.
(Ord. 2019-08-01, passed 9-9-19)