(a) Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this code, have the meanings indicated. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
(b) Where terms are not defined in this code, they shall have ascribed to them their ordinarily accepted meanings or such as the context herein may imply.
(1) Exterior of the premises. "Exterior of the premises" means the open space of any premises outside of the building.
(2) Garbage. "Garbage" means animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food.
(3) Infestation. "Infestation" means the presence of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests on the premises, which constitute a health hazard.
(4) Junk vehicle. "Junk vehicle" means any vehicle or part of a vehicle which is without a currently valid license plate or plates or is in either a wrecked, dismantled, partly dismantled, inoperative or abandoned condition.
(5) Noxious weeds. "Noxious weeds" means ragweed, goldenrod, thistles, milkweed, poison ivy, poison oak, phragmities within 50 feet of an occupied dwelling and other plants capable of causing skin reactions upon contact or producing severe allergic respiratory reactions.
(6) Nuisance. "Nuisance" means that which is defined by the statute of the State of Ohio and declared thereby to be a nuisance, and also includes conditions dangerous to human life or detrimental to the health of persons on or near the premises where the conditions exist, and where the conditions are perilous by active and negligent operation thereof, and unsanitary conditions or any offensive to the sense or dangerous to health.
(7) Occupant. "Occupant" means any person over one year of age living and sleeping in a dwelling unit or having actual possession of the dwelling unit or any person who leases or rents a nonresidential building, structure or any portion thereof.
(8) Owner. "Owner" means any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others, shall have legal or equitable title to any premises, with or without the accompanying actual possession thereof; or shall have charge, care or control as owner or agent of the owner; or as executor, administrator, trustee, receiver or guardian of estate or as a mortgagee in possession.
(9) Person. "Person" includes any individual, corporation, association, partnership, trustee, lessee, agent or assignee.
(10) The premises. "The premises" means a lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or structures thereon.
(11) Rank vegetation. "Rank vegetation" means any growth of weeds or grass to a height greater than 12 inches.
(12) Refuse. "Refuse" means all putrescible and non putrescible solid wastes (except body wastes) including, but not limited to, garbage, rubbish, ashes, and dead animals, and industrial wastes; an accumulation of brush, broken glass, stumps, and roots that present a safety hazard, and includes garbage, trash and debris which present an unsanitary and/or safety hazard.
(13) Responsible official. "Responsible official" means the Mayor of the City of Kirtland or the individual duly authorized by the Mayor of the City of Kirtland which includes, but is not limited to, the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief, the Zoning Inspector, Lake County Building Officials or such other agents or officials, public or private, hired, appointed or deputized by the Mayor of the City of Kirtland to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, and his or her designated agents.
(14) Unsafe buildings or structures. "Unsafe buildings or structures" are those in which all or part thereof is found to be a hazard to life, health, property or the safety of the public or its occupants because it is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or contains defective or inoperative electrical, plumbing or heating devices or systems or utility connections, or is of such faulty construction or unstable foundation that it is likely to partially or completely collapse or has been found to be an attractive nuisance and/or a hazard to the public health, safety or welfare.
(15) Structures unfit for human occupancy or use. "Structures unfit for human occupancy or use" means a structure that is either unsafe, unsanitary, in disrepair resulting from lack of maintenance, is vermin or rat infested, contains filth or contamination, or lacks ventilation, elimination, plumbing or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this code or other codes enacted, adopted or applicable in this city, or because its location and/or condition constitutes a hazard to its occupants or to the public.
(Ord. 04-O-25, passed 6-7-2004)