For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms and words are defined in this section and are used in addition to definitions found in the codes adopted by reference that together, with this chapter are known as the Newton Minimum Rental Housing Code.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE. A structure which is not used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants.
APPURTENANCE. That which is directly or indirectly connected or accessory to some other structure.
BATH. A bathtub or shower stall connected with hot and cold waterlines.
BOARDINGHOUSE. A building other than a hotel or other overnight lodging facility where, for compensation, lodging and meals are provided by the building owners or managers for residential boarders with meals for all resident boarders provided in the central kitchen facility within said building. Said BOARDING FACILITY shall be distinctive from transient lodging facilities such as hotels, beds and breakfasts, other overnight lodging facilities or public eateries. Residents within said BOARDINGHOUSE FACILITY shall be accommodated with weekly, monthly or yearly tenant agreements or leases.
COMMUNAL. Used or shared by or intended to used or shared by the occupants of two or more rooming units or two or more dwelling units.
CONDOMINIUM. A dwelling unit which is in compliance with the requirements of Iowa Code Ch. 499B, as amended.
COOPERATIVE. A dwelling unit which is compliance with the requirements of Iowa Code Ch. 499B, as amended.
COURT. An open unoccupied space which is more than 50% enclosed by buildings.
DINING ROOM. A habitable room used or intended to be used for the purpose of eating, but not for cooking or the preparation of meals.
DWELLING. Any building which is wholly or partially used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants.
DWELLING UNIT. Any habitable building, room or group of adjoining habitable rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating meals. An efficiency unit fails under this definition.
EXTERMINATION. The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating the 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 Inspector.
FAMILY. One or more persons occupying a single dwelling unit. No such FAMILY shall contain more than four persons, unless all such persons are related by either blood, marriage or adoption.
GARBAGE. Animal or vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking or consumption of food, and shall also mean combustible waste material in accordance with the city’s burning regulations.
INSPECTION, FOLLOW-UP. One of a number of re-inspections of a dwelling unit following an initial inspection, designed to determine and achieve compliance with deficiencies noted in the initial and any other follow-up inspection.
INSPECTION, INITIAL. A periodic inspection of a dwelling unit conducted to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter, whether initiated by the Inspector or by written complaint.
INSPECTOR. The official who is charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or any duly authorized representative. Also, CODE OFFICIAL.
KITCHEN. A habitable room used or intended to be used for cooking and the preparation of meals.
LAVATORY. A hand-washing basin which is connected to both hot and cold water lines, which is separate and distinct from the kitchen sink.
MINIMUM RENTAL HOUSING OCCUPANCY PERMIT (RENTAL HOUSING PERMIT). A document issued by the city evidencing authority to occupy a dwelling unit.
MULTIPLE DWELLING. Any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units.
OPERATION. Any person who has charge, care or control of a building or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let. Also, OPERATOR.
OWNER. Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others: shall have legal title to any dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or shall have charge care or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, administrator, 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 to the same extent as if the representative were the OWNER.
PLUMBING. All of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes; gas burning equipment; water pipes; garbage disposal units waste pipes; water closets sinks; dishwashers; lavatories; bathtubs; shower baths; clothes washing machines; catch basins; drains; vents; and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections and to water sewer or gas lines.
REFUSE. Waste material, except human waste, including garbage, rubbish, ashes and dead animals.
RENT. Any form of payment, including but not limited to cash, services, or other valuable considerations, provided as a condition of occupying a dwelling not owned by the occupant.
RENTAL UNIT. One dwelling unity within a rental property. If a common area and facilities are provided in a dwelling for the use of the occupants of units therein, such common area and facilities shall constitute a part of each RENTAL UNIT for the purpose of inspection and compliance with this chapter.
ROOMER. An occupant of a rooming house or rooming unit, and shall also mean an occupant of a dwelling who is not a member of the family occupying the dwelling.
ROOMING HOUSE. An owner-occupied or manager-occupied single dwelling unit wherein individual sleeping rooms are provided to not less than three unrelated resident tenants. Each rooming unit within the ROOMING HOUSE shall have a bath and toilet facilities available for exclusive use by the occupant. Not more than one kitchen facility shall be established within said structure wherein meals may be prepared by resident tenants. Said ROOMING FACILITY shall be distinctive from transient lodging facilities such as hotels, beds and breakfast, other overnight lodging facilities or public eateries. Residents within said ROOMING HOUSE FACILITY shall be accommodated with weekly, monthly or yearly tenant agreements or leases.
ROOMING UNIT. Any habitable room or group of adjoining rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single unit, with facilities which are intended to be used primarily for living and sleeping. A ROOMING UNIT shall have a bath and toilet facilities available for exclusive use by the occupant.
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING. Structure containing one dwelling unit.
(Ord. 2364, passed 9-3-2019)