(A) For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply, in addition to any and all terms defined in Chapter 2 of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 Edition (“IPMC 2018”) as adopted by and incorporated into Chapter 155A of this code of ordinances, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE. A detached structure that is not used or not intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants.
APPROVED. Approved by or in accordance with regulations established by the Housing Inspector.
BATH. A bathtub or shower stall properly connected with both hot and cold water lines.
DWELLING. Any building or structure wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants, including any appurtenances attached thereto.
EGRESS. An arrangement of exit routes to assure a safe means of exit from buildings.
EMERGENCY. A condition that has arisen suddenly and unexpectedly, and that immediately and materially threatens the health or safety of occupants of a dwelling or dwelling unit. Emergencies may include, but are not limited to, structural collapse or failure; flood; fire; or failure of a supplied utility.
EXTERMINATION. The control and elimination 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 approved by the Housing Inspector.
FAMILY. One person or two or more persons occupying a living unit as an individual, housekeeping organization.
HABITABLE ROOM. A room or enclosed floor space used, or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, toilet rooms, laundries, pantries, foyers or communicating corridors, closets, storage spaces and stairways.
HOUSING INSPECTOR. The official or officials of the city appointed to administer the provisions of this chapter.
INTERESTED PARTY. A person or firm having an ownership or possessory interest in a property covered by this chapter.
LAVATORY BASIN. A hand-washing basin properly connected with both hot and cold water lines, which is separate and distinct from a kitchen sink.
PERMIT. A certificate certifying that the unit for which it is issued was in compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter when last inspected. The permit shall authorize the operation of the rental unit or rooming unit until suspended or revoked pursuant to this chapter.
PERMITTEE. A person or firm who occupies or possesses all or part of a property covered by this chapter with the express or implied consent of the property owner, deedholder or other authorized party. Examples include, but are not limited to: persons with a written or verbal lease agreement to occupy the property, invited long-term guests, and property managers or caretakers who have access to or who may exercise control over the property.
PLUMBING. Includes all of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, toilets, sinks, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed dishwashers and clothes-washing machines, water-heating devices, catchbasins, drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
PRIVACY. The existence of conditions that will permit a person or persons to carry out an activity commenced without interruption or interference by unwanted persons.
REFUSE. Waste materials (except human waste), including garbage, rubbish, ashes and dead animals.
RENTAL UNIT or RENTAL PROPERTY. A dwelling unit rented or leased to an occupant or occupied by a party or parties who are not the owner of the property, but who are occupying the property with the express or implied consent of the owner. This definition specifically includes, where applicable, “short term rental property” as defined herein and in Iowa Code § 414.1, as amended from time to time.
ROOMING HOUSE OPERATOR. Any person who rents to another or who has custody or control of a building, or part thereof, in which that person resides and in which rooming units are let.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY. Any individually or collectively owned single-family house or dwelling unit; any unit or group of units in a condominium, cooperative, or timeshare; or an owner-occupied residential home that is offered for a fee for 30 days or less. SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTY does not include a unit that is used for any retail, restaurant, banquet space, event center, or other similar use. Short-term rental properties may be classified as rental properties, rooming houses, or rooming units as defined in this chapter, based upon the nature of their use when rented to another person other than the owner.
SUPPLIED. Paid for, furnished, provided by or under the control of the owner or operator.
TOILET. A water closet, with a bowl and trap made in one piece, which is of the shape and form and that holds a sufficient quantity of water so that no fecal matter will collect on the surface of the bowl, and which is equipped with flushing rims that permit the bowl to be properly flushed and scoured when water is discharged through the flushing rim.
U.L. APPROVED. Listed or approved by Underwriters’ Laboratories.
WRITTEN APPLICATION FOR PERMIT. A request in writing filed by an owner or operator with the Housing Inspector seeking issuance of a permit.
(B) Whenever the words DWELLING, DWELLING UNIT, ROOMING HOUSE, ROOMING UNIT or PREMISES are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as if they were followed by the words “or any part thereof”.
(Ord. 2664, passed 12-8-2020)