The following words and phrases, as used in this chapter, shall have the meaning set forth in this section unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context.
BLIGHT. A condition that impairs, destroys, or deteriorates the property because of its decay, improper storage, or effect on property or quality of life including, but not limited to, such things as litter, refuse, rubbish, garbage, junk, noxious weeds, inoperative vehicles, and waste. The proper storage of materials or equipment incidental to and necessary for the carrying out of any business or occupation lawfully being carried out on the property in question is not the cause of blight or a blighting factor if all applicable city ordinances are satisfied. The piling and storage of firewood in a neat orderly manner for consumption by the property residents is not blight.
BLIGHT VIOLATION. Any unlawful act, or any omission or failure to act, which is designated by this chapter as a blight violation pursuant to Section 41(2) of the Michigan Home Rule Cities Act, being MCL 117.4l(2).
BUILDING MATERIALS. Any material or equipment used in the restoration, renovation or construction of any structure or surface, including but not limited to lumber, bricks, concrete or cinder blocks, plumbing materials, electrical wiring or equipment, heating ducts and equipment, shingles, mortar, concrete, cement, nails, screws, ladders, scaffolding, or tools.
GARBAGE. All animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, consumption, or decomposition of food.
JUNK. Any abandoned, discarded, stored, unused object or equipment, regardless of viability of use or value, stored in the open, including but not limited to motor vehicle parts, machinery, furniture, appliances, bottles, boxes, cartons, crates, or remnants of cloth, wood, metal, rubber, or other cast-off materials.
LITTER. Garbage, refuse and rubbish as defined herein, all other waste materials and all other objects and materials including, but not limited to, furniture, appliances, clothing and all other household objects which, if thrown or deposited as herein prohibited, tends to create a danger to public health, safety and welfare.
REFUSE. Garbage, rubbish, trash, debris, junk, ashes, incinerator ash or residue, street cleaning, industrial sludge, solid commercial and industrial waste, animal waste, inoperable household appliances, or broken or damaged stuffed furniture, but does not include human body waste, liquid or other waste regulated by statute, or ferrous or nonferrous scrap possessed by a commercial scrap metal processor or a commercial re-user of ferrous or nonferrous products.
RUBBISH. Non-putrescible solid wastes consisting of both combustible and noncombustible wastes, such as paper, wrappings, cigarettes, cardboard, tin cans, grass clippings, wood, glass, bedding, crockery, and similar materials.
WASTE. Any litter, garbage, trash, rubbish, or refuse that is a useless or worthless by-product of any industrial, biological, or other such process and tends to create a danger to public health, safety, and welfare. USELESS shall be defined as not having useful qualities; of no practical good; or not serving the purpose or not having any purpose. WORTHLESS shall be defined as without worth; of no use, importance or value; good-for-nothing; useless; or valueless.
(Ord. 810, passed 3-5-07)