For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BASEMENT. A portion of a dwelling 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 dwelling 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.
DETERIORATION. 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 chapter at a cost not in excess of 50% of its value, as determined by finding of the Inspector.
DILAPIDATED. That dwelling is unfit for human habitation and cannot be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this chapter except at a cost in excess of 50% of its value, as determined by finding of the Inspector.
DWELLING.
(1) Any building, structure or part thereof which his or her wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living, sleeping or habitation by human occupants, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith.
(2) Temporary housing, as hereinafter defined, shall not be regarded as a DWELLING.
(3) The term shall include within its meaning the terms ROOMING HOUSE and ROOMING UNIT, as hereinafter defined.
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 removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food; by poisoning, spraying, fumigating or trapping; or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the Inspector.
GARBAGE. The organic waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
GENDER. Words having a masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders.
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 communicating corridors, closets and storage spaces.
INFESTATION. The presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents or other pests in a number as to constitute a menace to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or the public.
INSPECTOR. The Housing Inspector of the town or any authorized agent of the Inspector.
MULTIPLE DWELLING. Any dwelling containing more than 2 dwelling units.
OCCUPANT. Any person, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in, or having actual possession of a dwelling, 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, jointly or severally with others:
(1) Shall have title to any dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof;
(2) Shall be a mortgagee of record for any dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit; or
(3) Shall have charge, care or control of any dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit, as owner or agent of the actual owner, or as executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix, trustee or guardian of the estate of the actual owner. Any person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter, and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he or she were the owner.
PARTY or PARTIES IN INTEREST. All persons who have interests of record in a dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit and any persons who are in possession thereof.
PERSON. Any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, association or other legal entity.
PLUMBING. Includes all of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas burning equipment, water pipes, mechanical garbage disposal units (mechanical sink grinders), sewage disposal pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes washing machines, catch basins, drains, vents and other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY. The Town Housing Inspector or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the town or of Randolph County or the State of North Carolina relating to health, fire, building regulations or other activities concerning dwellings in the town.
ROOMING HOUSE. Any dwelling, or that part of any dwelling containing 1 or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to 3 or more persons who are not husband or wife, son or daughter, mother or father or brother or sister of the owner or operator.
ROOMING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
RUBBISH. Non-organic waste materials. The term shall include paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass 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. Conditions exist in a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit which violate or do not comply with 1 or more of the requirements established by this chapter.
WORDS HAVING CERTAIN MEANING. Whenever the word dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, premises are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words “or any part thereof.”
(Ord. – § 2, passed 8-27-1990)