(A) Interpretation.
(1) Scope. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall for the purposes of this code have the meanings shown in this chapter.
(2) Interchangeably. Words stated in the present tense include the future, words stared in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
(3) Terms defined in other codes. Where terms are not defined in this code and are defined in the International Building Code, International Fire Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, or NFPA 70, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as in those codes.
(4) Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
(5) Parts. Whenever the words “dwelling unit”, “dwelling”, “premises”, “building”, “rooming house”, “rooming unit”, “housekeeping unit”, or “story” are stated in this code, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words “or any part thereof”.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANCHORED. Secured in a manner that provides positive connection.
APPROVED. Approved by the property maintenance code official.
BASEMENT. A story partly underground but having at least one-half or more of its height (measured from floor to ceiling) above the average level of the adjoining ground.
BATHROOM. A room containing plumbing fixtures, including a bathtub or shower.
BEDROOM. Any room or space used or intended to be used for sleeping purposes.
CODE OFFICIAL. The official who is charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or any duly authorized representative. The property maintenance code official.
CONDEMN. To adjudge unfit for occupancy.
DEFACE. To mar the surface or appearance of.
DETACHED. When a structural element is physically disconnected from another and that connection is necessary to provide a positive connection.
DETERIORATION. A state of weakness, disintegration, corrosion, rust, or decay that causes the loss of effectiveness.
DWELLING UNIT. One of more rooms used for living and sleeping purposes and having a kitchen with fixed cooking facilities and toilet and bathroom facilities and arranged for occupancy by not more than one family.
EASEMENT. The portion of land or property reserved for present or future use by a person or agency other than the legal fee owner(s) of the property. The EASEMENT shall be permitted to be for use under, on, or above a said lot or lots.
EQUIPMENT SUPPORT. Those structural members or assemblies of members or manufactured elements, including braces, frames, lugs, snuggers, hangers, or saddles, that transmit gravity load, lateral load, and operating load between the equipment and the structure.
EXTERIOR PROPERTY. The open space on the premises and on adjoining property under the control of owners or operators of such premises.
EXTERMINATION. The control and elimination of insects, rats, or pests by eliminating their harboring places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that serve as their food by poison spraying, fumigating, trapping, or by any other approved pest elimination methods.
GARBAGE. The animal or vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food.
GUARD. A building component or a system of building components located at or near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to a lower level.
HABITABLE SPACE. Space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. Bathrooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas are not considered HABITABLE SPACES.
HOUSEKEEPING UNIT. A room or group of rooms forming a single habitable space equipped and intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating which does not contain, within such a unit, a toilet, lavatory, and bathtub or shower.
IMMINENT DANGER. A condition which could cause serious or life-threatening injury or death at any time.
INFESTATION. The presence, within or contiguous to, a structure or premises of insects, rats, vermin, or other pests.
INOPERABLE MOTOR VEHICLE. A vehicle intended to be self-propelled that cannot be operated under its own power and/or that is without a valid current registration plate or valid current certificate of inspection and/or that is in a major or severe state of disrepair.
LABELED. Equipment, materials, or products to which has been affixed a label , seal, symbol, or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency, or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of the production of the above-labeled items and whose labeling indicates either that the equipment, material, or product meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.
LET FOR OCCUPANCY or LET. To permit, provide, or offer for possession or occupancy of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, building, premises, or structure by a person who is or is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease, agreement, or license, or pursuant to a recorded or unrecorded agreement of contract for the sale of land.
NEGLECT. The lack of proper maintenance for a building or structure.
NOXIOUS WEED. As defined by the state’s Noxious Weed Control Law, being 3 P.S. §§ 255.1 through 255.11, a plant that is determined to be injurious to public health, crops, livestock, agricultural land, or other property. A list of such weeds is maintained by the state’s Department of Agriculture.
OCCUPANCY. The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is utilized or occupied.
OCCUPANT. Any individual living or sleeping in a building, or having possession of a space within a building.
OPENABLE AREA. The part of a window, skylight, or door which is available for unobstructed ventilation and which opens directly to the outdoors.
OPERATOR. Any person who has charge, care, or control of a structure or premises which is let or offered for occupancy.
OWNER. Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with other persons, has legal title to any premises. This does not include a lessee, sublessee, or other person who merely has the right to occupy or possess a premises.
PERSON. A person shall mean and include one or more individuals, partnerships, associations, organizations, corporations, legal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, or receivers
PEST ELIMINATION. The control and elimination of insects, rodents, or other pests by eliminating their harborage places, by removing or making inaccessible materials that serve as their food or water or by other approved pest elimination methods.
PREMISES. The property upon which an activity is conducted as determined by physical facts rather than property lines.
PUBLIC WAY. Any street, alley, or similar parcel of land essentially unobstructed from the ground to the sky, which is deeded, dedicated, or otherwise considered open for public use.
ROOMING HOUSE. A building arranged or occupied for lodging, with or without meals, for compensation and not occupied as a one- or two-family dwelling.
ROOMING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit occupied or intended to be occupied for sleeping or living, but not for cooking purposes.
RUBBISH. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage; the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke, and other combustible materials, paper, rags cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery, and dust and other similar materials.
STRUCTURE. A combination of materials, the use of which requires location on the attachment to something having location on the ground and includes, among other things, buildings, stadiums, platforms, radio towers, communications antennas and towers, sheds, signs, storage bins, and fences.
TENANT. A person, corporation, partnership, or group, whether or not the legal owner of record occupying a building or portion thereof as a unit.
TOILET ROOM. A room containing a water closet or urinal but not a bathtub or shower.
ULTIMATE DEFORMATION. The deformation at which failure occurs and which shall be deemed to occur if the sustainable load reduced to 80% or less of the maximum strength.
VENTILATION. The natural or mechanical process of supplying conditioned or unconditioned air to, or removing such air from, any space.
WEEDS. Vegetation other than trees or shrubs that is not cultivated for utilitarian or ornamental purposes or that is not part of a managed landscape design.
WORKMANLIKE. Executed in a skilled manner (e.g., generally plumb, level, square, in line, undamaged, and without marring adjacent work).
YARD. An open space on the same lot with a structure.
(Ord. 2010-3, passed 8-31-2010)