(A) For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
Abandoned structure. Any dwelling thereon that has been vacant or not in active use, regardless of purpose or reason, for the past six month period and is maintained in an uninhabitable condition or a condition of disrepair or deterioration and which is determined by the Code Enforcement Supervisor or officer to be unfit for human habitation or occupancy based upon the standards as set forth in this article.
Accessory structure. A structure that is a detached building, like a shed, that is on the same lot as the main building or structure, but is used for a different purpose other than a dwelling.
Basement. A story having a clear height of at least seven feet from finished floor to finished ceiling, the floor level of which is below finished grade but not less than four feet below the average finished grade, having floor and walls of approved construction, and/or having direct access to light and air from windows located above the level of the adjoining ground.
Building. Any structure enclosed and isolated by exterior walls constructed or used for residence, business, industry or other public or private purposes, or accessory hereto, and also tents, fences and similar structures, whether stationary or movable.
Cellar. A portion of a building or structure 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.
Certificate of compliance. Written certification by the Code Enforcement Supervisor or officer that a building or structure is in compliance with this article.
Close. Securing the building or structure so that unauthorized persons cannot gain entrance to the building.
Code Enforcement Supervisor or officer. The person(s) authorized to enforce the provisions of this article.
Demolish. Means the demolition and removal of the entire dwelling, leaving the property free and clear of any debris and without holes or pockets which may retain water.
Deteriorated. A dwelling that is unsafe or unfit for human habitation and can be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards of fitness established by this article at a cost not in excess of 50% of its physical value, as determined by a finding of the Code Enforcement Supervisor or officer.
Dilapidated. A dwelling that is unsafe or unfit for human habitation and cannot be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards of fitness established by this article at a cost not in excess of 50% of its physical value, as determined by a finding of the Code Enforcement Supervisor 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 Supervisor or officer.
Garbage. The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food. This definition shall include any other matter that is also subject to decomposition, decay, putrefaction or the generation of noxious or offensive gases or odors or which before, during or after decay may serve as feeding or breeding material for animals or flies or other insects.
Governing body. The City Council.
Impervious to water (as to floors). A clean, smooth floor, without cracks or holes, made of terrazzo, ceramic, asphalt or rubber tile, smooth concrete, linoleum or other similar material, or made of wood, and, if made of wood, then with tightly fitting joints, covered with varnish, lacquer or other similar water-resistant coating.
Infestation. The presence, within or contiguous to, a dwelling or premises of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests.
Maintenance of a building, structure, apparatus or equipment. The way or manner in which any such building, structure, appliance, apparatus or equipment is serviced repairs or altered to perpetuate the use or purpose for which such building, structure, appliance, apparatus or equipment was originally intended.
Manufactured home (mobile home). A structure as defined in G.S. 143-145(7).
Occupant. Any person over one year of age, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in, or having actual possession of a building or structure.
Operator. Any person who has charge, care or control of a dwelling, or part thereof, in which units are let.
Owner. Any person, group of persons, or any entity owning or lawfully possessing, keeping, or having care, custody, or control of any property covered by this article. In the case of real property, the owner includes the authorized agent or property manager of the owner or any tenant.
Parties in interest. All individuals, associations, and corporations that have interests of record in a building or structure and any that are in possession of a dwelling.
Physical value. The Pitt County property tax listing (as adjusted by the Pitt County Assessor, or pursuant to the Assessor’s instruction), not including land value. Such value shall be binding unless the owner provides for delivery of a written appraisal conducted within 365 days of the order as to the reasonable value of the building or structure, prepared by a North Carolina state certified residential appraiser within ten days after receipt of an order from the Code Enforcement Supervisor or officer. Such written appraisal shall be binding and conclusive for purposes of this code.
Pier. A masonry support extending from the ground and footing to and supporting the dwelling or portion thereof. Pier sizes and spacing shall conform to the specifications of the State Building Code.
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.
Public space or common space. The space within any dwelling which is open to use by the general public or the occupants of more than one building or structure.
Repair, alter, or improve. The work is workmanlike and performed in a workmanlike manner.
Rooming house. Any dwelling, or that part of any dwelling containing one or more 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.
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.
State Building Code. The North Carolina State Building Code, as may be amended from time to time, or any superseding regulation.
Structure. Anything constructed or placed upon a property which is supported by the ground or which is supported by any other structure, except a currently operable licensed vehicle.
Substantial. A dwelling or fence is firmly constructed, sturdy, safe, sound, solid, or stout in a manner to adequately perform its original purpose.
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.
Tenant. Any person, who alone or jointly or severally with others, occupies a dwelling under an oral or written lease or holds a legal tenancy in a dwelling
Unfit for human habitation. A dwelling which contains any of the following conditions which the Code Enforcement Supervisor or officer shall have found render the dwelling 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 or structure unsafe;
(2) Supporting and nonsupporting member or members which show 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 dwelling unsafe;
(5) Dilapidation, decay, unsanitary conditions or disrepair which is dangerous to the health, safety or general welfare of the occupants of the dwelling, 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;
(12) Lack of connection to a potable water supply and/or to the public sewer or other approved sewage disposal system, the lack of either one of which renders a dwelling unfit for human habitation. For the purposes of this standard, a dwelling is not connected to a potable water supply if the water supply has been cut off because of nonpayment of the water bill or otherwise or if the system for any reason is not receiving a flow of potable water to the tap; or
(13) Any combination of substandard items which in the judgment of the Code Enforcement Supervisor or officer renders any dwelling 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.
Ventilation. The adequate supply and removal of air to and from a space through windows, skylights, doors, louvers, grilles, ducts or other similar devices.
Weather tight. So constructed that dwellings resists weather and excludes rain and snow, and prevents the infiltration of air.
Workmanlike manner. Repairs, alterations, and improvements shall be performed in accordance with accepted standards of each trade using quality materials and craftsmanship.
(B) Whenever the term “dwelling” is used in this article, it shall be construed as though followed by the phrase “or any part thereof.”
(Ord. No. 23-082, § 1, passed 12-14-2023)