For use in this chapter the following terms are defined:
1. “Defective sidewalk” means any public sidewalk exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics:
A. Vertical separations equal to three-fourths (¾) inch or more.
B. Horizontal separations equal to three-fourths (¾) inch or more.
C. Holes or depressions equal to three-fourths (¾) inch or more and at least four (4) inches in diameter.
D. Spalling over fifty percent (50%) of a single square of the sidewalk with one or more depressions equal to one-half (½) inch or more.
E. Spalling over less than fifty percent (50%) of a single square of the sidewalk with one or more depressions equal to three-fourths (¾) inch or more.
F. A single square of sidewalk cracked in such a manner that no part thereof has a piece greater than one square foot.
G. A sidewalk with any part thereof missing to the full depth.
H. A change from the design or construction grade equal to or greater than three-fourths (¾) inch per foot.
2. “Owner” means the person owning the fee title to property abutting any sidewalk and includes any contract purchaser for purposes of notification required herein. For all other purposes, “owner” includes the lessee, if any.
3. “Sidewalk” means all permanent public walks in business, residential or suburban areas.
4. “Sidewalk improvements” means the construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, or removal, of a public sidewalk and/or the excavating, filling or depositing of material in the public right-of-way in connection therewith.