For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPROVED. Accepted by the Building Inspection Officer or his or her authorized representative as a result of their experience or investigation, or by reason of tests, or acceptable to a recognized testing laboratory, designated by the Building Inspection Officer.
BASEMENT. A story partly underground, provided that where the vertical distance from the average grade to the ceiling of a basement equals or exceeds five feet. The BASEMENT shall be considered a story.
BED AND BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENT. A single-family residence where no more than five guest’s rooms are made available for the temporary accommodation of the traveling or vacationing public. Such an establishment may offer meals only to those persons temporarily residing at the establishment.
BED AND BREAKFAST INN. A structure used primarily for lodging purposes where the use as a residence is clearly secondary. A structure where more than five but no more than nine guest rooms are made available for the temporary accommodation of the traveling or vacationing public. Such an establishment may offer meals to the public and the persons temporarily residing at the establishment.
BUILDING. Any structure used, designed, or intended for the protection, shelter, or enclosure of persons, animals, or property.
BUILDING INSPECTION OFFICER. The legally designated building inspection authority of the city or his or her authorized representative.
DWELLING. Any house, building, structure, trailer, or vehicle, or portion thereof, which is occupied or intended for occupancy in whole or in part as the home, residence, living, or sleeping place of one or more human beings, either permanently or transiently. A house trailer shall be subject to all the provisions of this chapter, as well as all other ordinances of the city, except that house trailers or other vehicles duly licensed as a vehicle, may be occupied or used as a DWELLING for reasonable periods or lengths of time, without otherwise being subject to the provisions of the act for dwellings, when located in a park, provided that such parking sites are equipped with adequate electric, water, safety, and sanitary facilities.
DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation, which meets all of the following criteria:
(1) It complies with the minimum square footage requirements for building floor area for the applicable district;
(2) It has a minimum width along any exterior side elevation of 24 feet and a minimum internal height of seven and one-half feet;
(3) It is firmly attached to a solid foundation constructed on the site in accordance with the state’s Building Code and state’s Residential Code;
(4) It does not have exposed wheels, towing mechanisms, undercarriage, or chassis;
(5) The dwelling is connected to a public sewer and water supply or to such private facilities approved by the local Health Department;
(6) The dwelling contains storage area(s) either in a basement located under said dwelling, in an attic area, in a closet area, or in a separate fully enclosed structure on the site, equal to not less than 15% of the interior living area of the dwelling; and
(7) The dwelling is aesthetically compatible in design and appearance to conventionally on-site constructed homes.
EFFICIENCY RENTAL. A small rental dwelling unit with a living and bedroom spaces being combined into one room. Sometimes, a bathroom and a kitchen area or kitchenette may be combined into one room.
GARBAGE. The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food.
HABITABLE ROOM. A room used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers, or connecting corridors, closets, and storage space.
HUMAN HABITATION. The use of any room, rooming unit, dwelling, dwelling unit, apartment unit, building or premises for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating purposes by one or more persons.
INFESTATION. The presence of any insects, rodents, or other pests within or around a dwelling, building, or premises.
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 legal title to any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, building, or premises with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or
(2) Shall have charge, care, or control of any dwelling unit or rooming unit, as owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, executrix, trustee, or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such 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.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, corporation, association, or partnership.
PLUMBING. All of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes washing machines, catch basins, drains, vents, and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer, or gas lines.
PREMISES. Any lot or piece of land inclusive of the buildings and shall include parking lots or other places or enclosures however owned or occupied.
RENTAL STRUCTURE. Any dwelling that contains, at a single property address, one or more dwelling units intended for rental.
ROOMING UNIT. A 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. Combustible and non-combustible waste materials except garbage; and the said term shall include but not be restricted to paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass crockery, dust, animal, and human feces, and the residue from the burning of combustible materials.
SANITARY MAINTENANCE. Any condition in which any significant amount of filth, trash, or human waste is present in such a manner that a reasonable person would believe that the condition might constitute a health hazard; or of strong, persistent, chemical, or human waste odors sufficient to deter use of the facility, or give rise to a reasonable concern with respect to exposure to hazardous fumes. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, a toilet bowl filled with human waste, soiled toilet paper, or other products used in the toilet compartment, that are present due to a defective toilet facility that will not flush or otherwise remove waste; visible human waste residue on the floor or toilet seat that is present due to a toilet that overflowed; an accumulation of soiled paper towels or soiled toilet paper on the floor, toilet facility, or sink; an accumulation of visible dirt or human waste on the floor, toilet facility, or sink; and strong, persistent chemical, or human waste odors.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL. Any dwelling or condominium or portions thereof that is available for use or is used for accommodations or lodging of guests, paying a fee, or other compensation for a period of less than 30 consecutive days.
STRUCTURES. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent location on the ground.
STUDIO APARTMENT. A small rental dwelling unit with a living and bedroom spaces being combined into one room. Sometimes, a bathroom and a kitchen area or kitchenette may be combined into one room.
SUPPLIED. Paid for, furnished, provided by, or under the control of the owner or operator.
TENANTS. A person to whom a landlord grants temporary and exclusive use of land or a part of a building, usually in exchange for rent.
UTILITIES. Some commodity or service, such as electricity, gas, water, transportation, or telephone or internet service.
(Ord. passed 3-14-2019)