Whenever the words “dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, premises” are used in this article, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words “or any part thereof.” For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
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 which is located partly or wholly underground, having an inadequate access to light and air from windows located partly or wholly below the level of the adjoining ground.
Code Enforcement Coordinator or officer. A Code Enforcement Coordinator or officer of the City of Greenville or any agent of the Code Enforcement Coordinator or officer who is authorized by him or her to enforce the provisions of this article.
Deteriorated. A dwelling is unfit for human habitation and can be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this article at a cost not in excess of 50% of its value, as determined by the finding of the Code Enforcement Coordinator or officer.
Dilapidated. A dwelling is unfit for human habitation and cannot be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this article at a cost not in excess of 50% of its value, as established by the finding of the Code Enforcement Coordinator or officer.
Dwelling. Any building, structure, manufactured home, or mobile home, or part thereof, used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith. For the purposes of G.S. Chapter 160D Article 12. the term does not include any manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle, if used solely for a seasonal vacation purpose.
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.
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, or by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or by other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the Code Enforcement Coordinator or officer.
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 connecting corridors, closets and storage spaces.
Infestations. 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.
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. Any person who alone, or jointly, or severally with others:
(1) Shall have title in fee simple to any dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; 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 article and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he or she were the owner.
Plumbing. Includes all of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas burning equipment, water pipes, mechanical garbage disposal units (mechanical sink grinders), waste pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes washing machines, catch basins, drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
Public authority. The Greenville Housing Authority or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of government of the City of Greenville or of Pitt County or the State of North Carolina relating to health, fire, building regulations or other activities concerning dwellings in the City of Greenville.
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, sister or brother of the owner or operator.
Rooming units. Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living or sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
Rubbish. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage and ashes, and 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 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 30 consecutive days.
Unfit for human habitation. A residential building which contains any of the following conditions which the Code Enforcement Coordinator or officer shall have found render the building dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the occupants of the dwelling or neighboring dwellings or other residents of the city:
(1) Interior walls or vertical studs which seriously lean or buckle to such an extent as to render the building unsafe;
(2) Supporting member or members which show 33% or more damage or deterioration, or nonsupporting enclosing or outside wall or covering which shows 50% or more of damage or deterioration;
(3) Floors or roofs which have improperly distributed loads which are overloaded or which have insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose used;
(4) Such damage by fire, wind or other causes as render the building unsafe;
(5) Dilapidation, decay, unsanitary conditions or disrepair which is dangerous to the health, safety or general welfare of the occupants of the dwelling or neighboring dwellings or other residents;
(6) Inadequate facilities for egress in case of fire, accident or other calamities;
(7) Defects significantly increasing hazards of fire, accident or other calamities;
(8) Lack of adequate ventilation, light, heating or sanitary facilities to such an extent as to endanger the health, safety or general welfare of the occupants or other residents of the city;
(9) Lack of proper electrical heating or plumbing facilities required by this article which constitute a health or safety hazard;
(10) Lack of adequate weatherization;
(11) Lack of an operable smoke detector; or
(12) Any combination of substandard items which in the judgment of the Code Enforcement Coordinator or officer renders any building dangerous or injurious to the health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants of the dwelling, the occupants of neighboring dwellings, or other residents of the city.
(Ord. No. 99-15, passed 2-11-1999; Ord. No. 21-032, § 1, passed 6-21-2021)