The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
ABANDONED OR JUNKED VEHICLE. A vehicle that is inoperative, stripped, scrapped, discarded, wrecked, on blocks or similar devices, or is without current license plates, or has deflated or missing tire(s).
ABATE. To correct, including, but not limited to, repair, rehabilitate, demolish, or remove.
ACCESSORY IMPROVEMENTS. Improvements to land other than buildings, including, but not limited to, driveways, parking areas, pools, sidewalks, walkways, bridges, exterior steps, railings, monuments, fences, signs, screening walls and retaining walls.
ACTS BY AGENTS. When this chapter or an order or an agreement requires an act to be done which may by law as well done by an agent as by the principal, the requirements shall be construed to include all such acts when done by the authorized agent.
ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE. A dangerous condition on a landowner’s property that may particularly attract children onto the land and pose a risk to their safety.
BLIGHT. Unsightly, unsafe or unsanitary conditions including, but not limited to, the accumulation of litter or debris; buildings, accessory improvements and structures with holes, breaks, rot, crumbling, cracking, peeling, or rusting; landscaped areas that are characterized by bare dirt, dead, damaged or uncontrolled plant growth or lack of maintenance; and any other similar condition of neglect, excessive use, decay, degeneration, disrepair, deterioration or infestation that constitutes a fire hazard or may have an adverse effect upon the health, safety, aesthetic or general welfare of citizens.
BUILDING. Any structure or part thereof intended to be or used by humans or animals for any purpose, including, but not limited to, living, sleeping, eating, cooking, sanitation, medical service, business, government, worship, education, recreation, or storage.
CLEAN FILL. Clay, rock, sand, or soil which is free of plant growth, debris and litter.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. Town of Florence employees whose job duties include investigation and enforcement of violations of this chapter.
DEBRIS. Junk, including, but not limited to, lumber, furniture, furniture parts, cabinets, refrigerators, stoves, sinks, abandoned or neglected equipment, abandoned or junked vehicles or parts thereof, or the remains of something of little or no apparent economic value.
DESIGNEE. A person appointed in writing by the Town Manager as authorized to carry out specific actions to enforce this chapter.
DUST FREE SURFACE. An area completely covered by (1) concrete, asphalt, cement or sealed aggregate pavement; (2) three inches deep crushed rock completely contained in a permanent border; or (3) another stabilization material or method approved by the town. Dust free surface does not include areas of grass, lawn, compacted dirt, or hard-packed dirt.
EXTERIOR BUILDING SURFACES. Outside walls, roofs, fixtures and attachments to a building or structure, including, but not limited to, doors, windows, gutters, down spouts, lights, antennas, satellite dishes, porches, posts, railings, garages, eaves, trims, patios, and chimneys.
GARBAGE. Any discarded or spoiled animal or plant matter resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, or consumption of food; and any other animal or matter subject to rapid decomposition.
GRAFFITI. Any unauthorized inscription, figure, drawing or other defacement that is written, marked, scratched, drawn, painted, or otherwise affixed to any exterior building surface, unscreened area, accessory improvement, or vehicle.
GRASS. Herbage intended to be or actually used for food, fodder or lawn.
INFESTATION. The presence or apparent presence of insects, rodents, birds, animals, or other noxious pests of a kind or in a quantity that may have an adverse effect upon a building or structure or upon the health, safety, aesthetic, or general welfare of citizens.
LAND. All land in the town and all buildings, structures and accessory improvements located thereon.
LANDSCAPE WASTE. Any dirt, dust, sand, stones, excavation material, leaves, landscape clippings, severed plant growth or any other material resulting from landscape installation or maintenance.
LANDSCAPED AREA. An exterior improvement or change of land through plant growth or natural or artificial topping material such as rocks or stones, or a combination of plant growth and topping material.
LEAF BLOWER. Any device that generates a stream of air that is designed or used to move landscape waste or litter.
LITTER. All solid waste including, but not limited to, ashes, street cleanings, severed plant growth, garbage, dead animals, animal feces, abandoned or junked vehicles or parts thereof, solid commercial and industrial waste, paper, rags, empty barrels, crates, packing cases, boxes, cartons, wood shavings, packing material, wrappings, cigarettes, cardboard, landscape clippings, leaves, metal, mattresses, bedding, crockery, bottles, cans, glass, plaster, plastic, asphalt, tile, rock, bricks, clean fill, fill dirt, excavation material, or other materials tending to create an unsightly condition and having an adverse effect upon the health, safety, aesthetic or general welfare of citizens.
LIVESTOCK ACTIVITY AREAS. Areas devoted to any activity directly related to feeding animals, displaying animals, racing animals, exercising animals, and/or for any other such activity, including, but not limited to, livestock arenas, horse arenas, feed lots, and access.
MAJOR VEHICLE REPAIR. The removal from any vehicle of a major portion thereof including, but not limited to, the differential, transmission, head, engine block, or oil pan.
NATURAL DESERT. Undisturbed, unimproved land with undisturbed native vegetation.
OCCUPANT. Includes tenant.
OR. May be read “and” and “and” may be read “or.”
OWNER. As applied to a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or a part of the building or land.
PLANT GROWTH. Vegetation, whether living or dead, including, but not limited to, grass, flowers, weeds, vines, bushes, shrubs, cacti, or trees.
PERSON. Shall extend and be applied to firms, corporations, or voluntary associations, as well as individuals.
POOL. A constructed or excavated exterior area designed to contain a regular supply of water, including, but not limited to, a swimming pool, spa, waterfall, pond, or other body of water.
PROPERTY. Real and personal property.
PUBLIC PLACE. Any town-owned street, sidewalk, alley, easement or other public way, and any public park, square, space, land, or building.
PUBLIC ROADWAY. That part of the street used or intended for use by the general public for motor vehicles.
REAL PROPERTY. Lands, tenements and hereditaments.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV). A vehicular or portable unit designed to be mounted on a chassis and wheels, which either has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, such as travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, camping trailers, motor homes, or truck campers which may be used as a temporary dwelling or sleeping place for work force housing staff.
SHALL OR MAY. “Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.
SLUM PROPERTY. Residential rental property that has deteriorated or is in a state of disrepair and that manifests one or more of the following conditions that are a danger to the health or safety of the public:
(1) Structurally unsound surfaces, roof, walls, doors, floors, stairs, stairwells, porches, or railings.
(2) Lack of potable water, adequate sanitation facilities, adequate water, or waste pipe connections.
(3) Hazardous electrical systems or gas connections.
(4) Lack of safe, rapid egress.
(5) Accumulation of human or animal waste, medical or biological waste, gaseous or combustible materials, dangerous or corrosive liquids, flammable or explosive materials or drug paraphernalia.
STREET. The full right-of-way used by the general public for road, highway, alley, pedestrian walkway or bikeway purposes, whether or not improved or accepted for maintenance by the town.
STRUCTURE. Any item constructed or erected, the use of which requires a location on the ground or attached to something having a location on the ground, but not including a vehicle.
UNPAVED STREET. A public or private street that is not paved or treated by the town with dust palliatives.
UNSCREENED. Visible from a place reasonably accessible to the general public or to a person standing on adjacent land.
VACANT LOT. Land that has been or has not been disturbed and/or was previously developed and may contain structures but does not contain buildings.
VEHICLE. Any device in, upon or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a street, including, but not limited to, an off-road vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle, a dirt bike, a buggy, a trailer, an aircraft of any kind and a device used exclusively on rails or tracks.
WATERCRAFT. Any device specifically designed for use on water, including, but not limited to, a boat, canoe, jet ski or pontoon.
WEED. Uncultivated plant growth, including, but not limited to, bull thistle, cocklebur, foxtail, horseweed, lamb’s quarters, London rocket, mallow, milkweed, pigweed, mustards, prickly lettuce, ragweed, Russian thistle, tumbleweed, shepherds’ purse, sow thistle, white horse nettle, willow weed, and plant growth defined as noxious weeds in state statutes regardless of whether an owner or occupant regards the plant growth as desirable.
(Res. 1840-22, passed 10-3-2022; Ord. 717-22, passed 10-17-2022)