For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning of the word being defined:
CREDITOR. Any person or any federal or state chartered bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or any other financial institution or entity acting on behalf of the creditor named in the debt obligation, including, but not limited to, servicers.
DWELLING UNIT. A group of rooms located within any building, structure, or house used for residential purposes, forming a single housekeeping unit with facilities which are designed and used for living, sleeping, cooking, and/or eating.
OWNER. Any person, co-partnership, association, corporation, fiduciary or other legal entity having a legal or equitable title or any interest in any real property.
PROPERTY. Any real property and the improvements, buildings, structures, houses, or residential units thereon, whether single or multi-family, whether or not owner occupied, used for residential purposes, containing one or more dwelling units.
VACANT or ABANDONED. A property with no legal resident or tenant. Evidence of vacancy or abandonment includes any condition that on its own, or combined with other conditions present, would lead a reasonable person to believe that the property is vacant or abandoned. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, overgrown or dead vegetation, accumulation of flyers, mail, or trash, disconnected utilities, the absence of window coverings, furnishings, and/or personal items consistent with habitation, and statements by neighbors, delivery persons, or government employees indicating an absence of inhabitants.
(Ord. 950.87, passed 11-9-16)