Whenever the words
DWELLING, DWELLING UNIT, ROOMING HOUSE, ROOMING UNIT, RENTAL UNIT, STRUCTURE, BUILDING OR PREMISES are used it shall be understood as though they were followed by the phrase, "or any part thereof." For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY BUILDING/OUTHOUSE. A structure located on the same parcel of property as the principal structure and the use of which is incidental to the use of the primary structure.
ALTER or ALTERATION. Any change or modification to the construction or occupancy of a structure.
APPROVED. Approved by the Housing Administrator.
BASEMENT. A portion of a building which is located partly underground, having direct access to light and air from windows located above the level of the adjoining ground.
CELLAR. A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground having inadequate 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 55% of its value, as determined by finding of the Inspector.
DILAPIDATED. A dwelling that is unfit for human habitation and cannot be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this chapter at a cost not in excess of 55% of its value, as determined by finding of the Inspector.
DWELLING. Any building, structure, manufactured home or mobile home used and occupied or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating by human occupants including any outhouses or accessory building usually enjoyed therewith; provided that temporary housing as hereinafter defined shall not be regarded as a DWELLING.
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, sleeping, cooking and eating.
EXIT. A clear and unobstructed means of departure from the interior of a building or structure to the exterior at street or grade level.
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 Housing Administrator.
FAMILY. One or more persons living together and having common living, sleeping, cooking and eating facilities.
FLOOR SPACE. The total square feet of space of all habitable rooms.
GARBAGE. The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
HABITABLE ROOM. A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, heater rooms, foyers or communicating corridors, closets and storage spaces.
HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR AND DESIGNATED PERSONS. A Housing Administrator for the town with the responsibility of enforcing this chapter within the corporate limits of the town.
INFESTATION. The presence, within or around a dwelling of any insects, rodents or other pests in such number as to constitute a menace to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or the public.
LANDLORD. An owner (as defined in this section) that receives some financial benefit as a result of his or her allowing another individual(s) to use or occupy real property or a portion of that real property, for residential use.
MAY. Permissible.
MULTIPLE DWELLING. Any dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit.
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 rented, leased, subleased or otherwise contracted.
OWNER. Any person who alone or jointly, or severally with others:
(1) Shall have fee simple title to any dwelling or dwelling unit, and every mortgagee, and owner and holder of a deed of trust and the trustee therein, of record; with or without accompanying actual possession of the dwelling or dwelling unit; or
(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, trustee 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 chapter, and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he or she were the owner.
PARTIES IN INTEREST. All individuals, associations and corporations who have interests of record in a dwelling and any who are in possession thereof.
PERSON. Includes any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership, or any other legal entity.
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, storm water drainage facilities, the venting system, and public or private water supply systems to their connection with any point of public disposal.
PREMISES. A lot, plot or parcel of land including, dwellings and structures within the definitions as defined herein.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY. The governing body of the town or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the town or the state relating to health, fire, building regulations or other activities concerning dwellings in the town.
REMOVAL. The demolition and approved disposal of the entire building. The premises shall be free and clear of any debris; and in a manner as not to leave any holes or pockets, which may retain water.
RENTAL UNIT. Any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, building or structure wherein the occupant(s) is the tenant and the owner(s) is the landlord of the real property, or is anticipated as such.
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 the term shall include but not be limited to ashes, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass crockery and dust.
SHALL. Synonymous with REQUIRED and means mandatory.
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 utilities system on the same premises for more than 60 consecutive days.
TENANT. Any natural person or entity who is a named party or signatory to a lease or rental agreement, and who occupies, resides in, or has a legal right to possess and use an individual rental unit.
TOWN. The Town of Columbus located in Polk County, North Carolina.
UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION. Means that conditions exist in a dwelling which violate or do not comply with one or more of the minimum standards of fitness or one or more of the provisions established by this chapter.
VENTILATION. The insufflations and the exsufflation of air by natural or mechanical means, to and from housing.
VENTILATION, MECHANICAL. Ventilation by power-driven devices.
VENTILATION, NATURAL. Ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, doors, louvers or stacks, with or without wind-driven devices.
WATER CLOSET. A toilet or commode.
(Ord. passed - -2007)