(A) General. For the purpose of this subchapter, certain abbreviations, terms, phrases, words and their derivatives, shall be construed as set forth in this section. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(B) Meaning of certain words. Whenever the words DWELLING, DWELLING UNITS or PREMISES, are used in this subchapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words, “or any part thereof.”
ADDITION. An extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.
ALTER or ALTERATION. Any change or modification in construction or occupancy.
APARTMENT. A dwelling unit as defined in this code.
APARTMENT HOUSE. Any building or portion thereof used as a multiple dwelling for the purpose of providing three or more separate dwelling units which may share means of egress and other essential facilities.
APPLICABLE GOVERNING BODY. A city, county, state, state agency or other political government subdivision or entity authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of this code, as adopted or amended.
APPROVED. Approved by the Building Inspector or other authority having jurisdiction.
BUILDING. Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having a roof, and used or built for the enclosure or shelter of persons, animals, vehicles, goods, merchandise, equipment, materials, or property of any kind. This definition shall include tents, dining cars, trailers, mobile homes, sheds, garages, carports, animal kennels, storerooms or vehicles serving in any way the function of a building as described herein.
BUILDING INSPECTOR. The officer, or other person charged with the administration and enforcement of this subchapter, or his or her duly authorized representative.
DWELLING. When used in this code without other qualifications, means a structure occupied exclusively for residential purposes by not more than two families.
DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
EXTERMINATION. The control and extermination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harboring 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.
FAMILY. One or more persons occupying a single dwelling unit provided that unless all members are related by law, blood or marriage, no such family shall contain over three persons, but further provided that domestic servants employed on the premises may be housed on the premises without being counted as separate or additional family or families.
FLOOR AREA. The total area of all habitable space in a building or structure.
GARBAGE. The animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
HABITABLE ROOM. A space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls, storage or utility space, and similar areas are not considered habitable space.
INFESTATION. The presence within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents or other pests.
MULTIPLE DWELLING. Any building, or portion thereof, which is occupied as the home or residence of more than two families living independently of each other and doing their own cooking in the building, and shall include flats and apartments.
NUISANCE.
(a) Any public nuisance known at common law or in equity jurisprudence;
(b) Any attractive nuisance which may prove detrimental to children whether in a building, on the premises of a building, or upon an unoccupied lot. This includes any abandoned wells, shafts, basements or excavations; abandoned refrigerators and motor vehicles; or any structurally unsound fences or structures; or any, lumber, trash, fences, debris or vegetation which may prove to be a hazard for inquisitive minors;
(c) Whatever is dangerous to human life or is detrimental to health, as determined by the Health Officer;
(d) Overcrowding a room with occupants;
(e) Insufficient ventilation or illumination;
(f) Inadequate or unsanitary sewage or plumbing facilities;
(g) Uncleanliness, as determined by the Health Officer; or
(h) Whatever renders air, food or drink unwholesome or detrimental to the health of human beings, as determined by the Health Officer;
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. The holder of the title and any person, group of persons, company, association or corporation in whose name tax bills on the property are submitted. It shall also mean any person who, alone, or jointly or severally with others:
(a) Shall have legal title to any dwelling or 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, executor, executrix, administrator, trustee, guardian of the estate of the owner, mortgagee or vendee in possession, or assignee of rents, lessee or other person, firm or corporation in control of a building; or their duly authorized agents. Any such person shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this subchapter, and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he or she were the owner. It is his responsibility to notify the actual owner of the reported infractions of these regulations pertaining to the property which apply to the owner.
PERSON. And includes any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership.
PLUMBING. The practice, materials and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, extension and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances and appurtenances in connection with any of the following: sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, the venting system and the public or private water-supply or conveyance; also the practice and materials used in the installation, maintenance extension or alteration of storm-water, liquid-waste or sewage, and water-supply systems of any premises to their connection with any point of public disposal or other acceptable terminal.
PREMISES. A lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or structures thereon.
PUBLIC AREAS. An unoccupied open space adjoining a building and on the same property, that is permanently maintained, accessible to the Fire Department, and free of all encumbrances that might interfere with its use by the Fire Department.
REPAIR. The replacement of existing work with the same kind of material used in the existing work, not including additional work that would change the structural safety of the building, or that would affect or change required exit facilities, a vital element of an elevator, plumbing, gas piping, wiring or heating installations, or that would be in violation of a provision of law or ordinance. The term REPAIR or REPAIRS shall not apply to any change of construction.
REQUIRED. Required by some provision of this code.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS. Buildings in which families or households live or in which sleeping accommodations are provided, and all dormitories, shall be classified as Residential Occupancy. The buildings include, among others, the following: dwellings, multiple dwellings and rooming houses.
RUBBISH. Combustible and non-combustible waste materials except garbage; and the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke, or other combustible material, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metal, mineral matter, glass crockery and dust.
STAIRWAY. One or more flights of stairs and the necessary landings and platforms connecting them, to form a continuous and uninterrupted passage from one story to another in a building or structure.
STRUCTURE.
(a) That which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner.
(b) The term STRUCTURE shall be construed as if followed by the words “or part thereof.”
SUPPLIED. Paid for, furnished or provided by or under control of, the owner or operator.
TEMPORARY HOUSING. Any tent, trailer or other structure used for human shelter which is designed to be transportable and which is not attached to the ground, to another structure, or to any utility system on the same premises for more than 30 consecutive days.
YARD. An open unoccupied space on the same lot with a building extending along the entire length of a street, or rear, or interior lot line.
(Ord. 91-5, passed 4-16-1991)