(A) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(B) Whenever the words “dwelling,” “dwelling unit,” “rooming house,” “rooming unit” or “premises” are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words “or any part thereof.”
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE. A detached structure subordinate to the main or principal structure and located on the same lot, the use of which is customary to the main building.
BASEMENT. The portion of a building having its floor level below the surface of the ground immediately adjoining it.
BATHROOM. A room containing bathing and sanitary facilities provided within each living unit consisting of a water closet, a tub or shower and a lavatory; a bathroom shall afford complete privacy.
BUILDING COMMISSIONER. The official designated by the city to enforce building, zoning or similar laws, and this code, or his or her duly authorized representatives.
DETERIORATION. The condition or appearance of a building or part thereof, characterized by breaks, holes, rot, crumbling, cracking, peeling, rusting or other evidence of physical decay or neglect, excessive use of or lack of maintenance.
DWELLING UNIT. One or more rooms in a building designed for occupancy by one family for living purposes and having its own permanently installed cooking and sanitary facilities.
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; by poisoning, spraying, fumigating or trapping; or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the city.
FAMILY. An individual or married couple and the children thereof and no more than two other persons related directly to the individual or married couple by blood or marriage, or a group of not more than three persons, excluding servants, not related by blood or marriage, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit.
FENCE. An independent structure forming a barrier at grade between lots, between a lot and a street or an alley or between portions of a lot or lots. A BARRIER includes a wall or latticework screen, but excludes a hedge, natural growth or a barrier less than 18 inches in height which is used to protect plant growth.
GARBAGE. Putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
HABITABLE BUILDING. Any structure or part thereof that shall be used as a home or place of abode by one or more persons.
HABITABLE ROOM. Every room in any building in which persons sleep, eat or carry on their usual domestic or social vocations or avocations. It shall not include private laundries, bathrooms, toilet rooms, pantries, storerooms, corridors, rooms for mechanical equipment for service in the building or other similar spaces not used by persons frequently or during extended periods.
KITCHEN. A kitchen is a space of not less than 50 square feet, which contains a sink with counter working space, adequate space for installing cooking and refrigeration equipment and for the storage of cooking utensils.
MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING. A building or portion thereof designed or altered for occupancy by more than one family, each living independently of the other.
OCCUPANT. Any person, including owner or operator, living and sleeping in a dwelling unit or having actual possession of the dwelling 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.
ORDINARY MINIMUM WINTER CONDITIONS. The temperature 150°F above the lowest recorded temperature for the previous ten-year period.
OWNER. Any person, firm or corporation who, alone, jointly or severally with others, shall be in actual possession of, or have charge, care or control of, any dwelling or dwelling unit within the city as owner, employee or agent of the owner, or as trustee or guardian of the estate or person of the title holder, and the person shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter to the same extent as the owner.
PERSON. A corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit as well as individuals. It shall also include an executor, administrator, trustee, receiver or other representative appointed according to law. Whenever the word PERSON is used in any section of this chapter prescribing a penalty or fine, as to partnerships or association, the word shall include the partners or members thereof, and as to corporations, shall include the officer, agents or members thereof who are responsible for any violation of the section.
PLUMBING. All of the following facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, steam pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, toilets, sinks, installed dish washers, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes washing machines, catch basins, drains, vents and any other similar fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
PROVIDED. Any material furnished, supplies, paid for or under the control of the owner.
PUBLIC HALL. A hall, corridor or passageway for egress from a dwelling not within the exclusive control of one family.
REPAIR. To restore to a sound and acceptable state of operation, serviceability or appearance. REPAIRS shall be expected to last approximately as long as would the replacement by new items.
REPLACE. To remove an existing item or portion of a system and to construct or install a new item of similar or improved. quality as the existing item when new. REPLACEMENT will ordinarily take place when the item is incapable of repair.
ROOMING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms from a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
RUBBISH. Non-putrescible solid wastes, excluding ashes, consisting of both combustible and noncombustible wastes, such as paper, cardboard, tin cans, yard clippings, wood, glass, bedding, crockery and similar materials.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected which requires permanent or temporary location on the ground or is attached to something having a permanent or temporary location on the ground. A sign or other advertising medium, detached or projecting, and fences and free-standing walls shall be construed to be a STRUCTURE.
SUBSTANDARD. All buildings used for purposes of human habitation which do not conform to the minimum standards established by this code and by any other ordinances.
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.
YARD. An open space at grade on the same lot as a building or structure located between the main building and the adjoining lot line and/or street line. The measurement of a YARD shall be the minimum horizontal distance between the lot line and the building or structure.
(Ord. 885, passed 1-2-1974; Am. Ord. 1102, passed 7-15-1986)