For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DESIGNATED AGENT. A business entity located in or an individual person 18 years or older residing in the county or Hocking County with an address other than a post office box and named by an owner as a secondary point of contact regarding the use or condition of land and the occupancy and physical condition of structures on a platted lot or parcel of land.
OWNER. Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others, shall have the legal or equitable title to a property, and shall include executors, administrators, trustees or guardians of the estate of the owner, and any purchaser or assignee under a certificate of sale pursuant to a mortgage foreclosure. The term OWNER shall also include partnerships and other unincorporated associations. Any individual OWNER, regardless of whether he or she shares ownership responsibility with any other person, any general partner of a partnership and any officer of a corporation or unincorporated association, shall have direct and personal responsibility and liability for compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
PUBLIC NUISANCE. Any building, house, shed, accessory structure, fence or other human-made structure or part thereof, including the premises where such structure is located, which by reason of its faulty construction, age, lack of repair, lack of reasonable and adequate maintenance, continued vacancy or other cause is:
(1) Endangering human health, life or limb or is likely to cause the spread of disease or otherwise cause injury to the health of persons or to surrounding neighborhood structure;
(2) Susceptible to the occurrence of fire and constitutes or creates a fire hazard;
(3) Liable to cause injury or damage to persons or property by collapse or by the danger of collapse of any part of the structure;
(4) Unsecured, open and available to and frequented by malefactors, disorderly persons or juveniles who are not lawful occupants of such structure;
(5) Creating a deteriorating and blighting influence on nearby properties and causes depreciation in the use, enjoyment and value of properties in the immediately surrounding area to such an extent that it is harmful to the community in which such structure is situated; and
(6) Subject to provisions of Chapter 91.
STRUCTURE UNFIT FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY. A structure that is unsafe, or because of the degree in which it lacks maintenance or is in disrepair, is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment, or because its location constitutes a hazard to its occupants or to the public.
UNSAFE STRUCTURE. A structure in which all or part thereof is found to be dangerous to life, health, property or the safety of the public or its occupants because it is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable condition that it is likely to partially or completely collapse.
VACANT BUILDING. A structure which is unoccupied for 90 days or more or which constitutes a structure unfit for human occupancy, an unsafe building or a building or premises that are a public nuisance. In the case of structures containing multiple dwelling units, multiple commercial or industrial units or a combination thereof, a building shall be considered vacant when a majority of the units are unoccupied unless any part of the building is considered unfit for human habitation, unsafe or a public nuisance, then the entire premises shall be considered subject to these regulations.
(Prior Code, § 9.17.02)