The following definitions shall be used in interpreting this article:
(a) "Residential building" means any structure the first floor of which, excluding basement, is used or intended by the nature of its construction to be used by persons for living and sleeping quarters, but shall not include rental property containing four or more units upon a single tract of land or hotels, motels or other buildings intended primarily for transient lodging.
(b) "Commercial building" means any structure the first floor of which, excluding basement, is used or intended by the nature of its construction to be used for any purpose other than "residential", but shall also be deemed to include rental property containing four or more units upon a single tract of land or hotels, motels or other buildings intended primarily for transient lodging.
(c) "Institutional building" means any structure used as a school, government building, church or which is owned by any person, corporation or entity which is granted nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States.
(d) "Story" means that part of a structure included between any floor and the floor or roof next above, excluding basements and attics.
(e) "Basement" shall mean that portion of a building which is located below the level of the adjoining ground, and which is unfinished and not utilized as part of the living or working area of the building.
(f) "Total square feet within a building" means that sum as measured by the exterior dimensions of the structure multiplied by the number of stories, but shall not include any part of a structure encompassed by the following:
(1) Porches, unless entirely enclosed for all-weather purposes;
(2) Basements;
(3) Attics;
(4) Garages; or
(5) Any other outbuildings.
(g) "Total square feet of land" shall mean the total number of square feet encompassed by the surface of any tract of land.
(h) "Mobile home" means any vehicle used or so constructed as to permit its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets or highways and constructed in such a manner as to permit occupancy thereof as a dwelling or sleeping place for one or more persons.
(i) "Protected flood zone" includes all properties at or below the average of 624 feet above sea level and protected by the Parkersburg Floodwall, the boundaries of the protected flood zone to be as determined by the City Engineer.
(j) “Attic” means that portion of a building which is located directly under the roof, and which is unfinished and not utilized as a part of the living or working area of the building.
(k) “Owner(s)” shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or of a part of the subject real property, and as listed on the land records in the office of the Clerk of Wood County, West Virginia.
(Ord. 0-1130. Passed 5-25-04.)