The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
ALTERATION. As applied to a building or structure, means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the exit facilities; an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height; or the moving from one location or position to another; and the term ALTER in its various moods and tenses and its participle refers to the making of an alteration.
APARTMENT. A room or suite of rooms occupied or which is intended or designed to be occupied as the home or residence of one individual, family or household for housekeeping purposes.
APPROVED. As applied to a material, device or mode of construction, means approved by the inspector under this chapter or by other authority designated by law to give approval in the matter in question.
AREA.
(1) As applied to the dimensions of a building, means the maximum horizontal projected area of the building.
(2) As applied to the dimensions of a room, means the total square footage of floor area between finished walls.
BASEMENT. A portion of a building which is located partly underground, having direct access to light and air from windows located above the level of the adjoining ground.
BUILDING. Any structure having a roof supported by column or walls used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy. The term BUILDING shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "or part thereof."
CELLAR. A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground having an inadequate access to light and air from windows located partly or wholly below the level of the adjoining ground.
CLOSE. Securing the building so that unauthorized persons cannot gain entrance to the building.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. The person who has been designated, in writing, by the Town Manager to enforce this chapter.
DEMOLISH. The demolition and removal of the entire building, leaving the property free and clear of any debris and without holes or pockets which may retain water.
DETERIORATED.
(1) As it applies to dwellings and rooming houses, means that a dwelling or rooming house is unsafe or unfit for human habitation and can be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards of fitness established by this chapter at a cost not in excess of 65% of its physical value, as determined by a finding of the inspector.
(2) As it applies to lodging establishments, means that a lodging establishment is unsafe or unfit for human habitation and can be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards of fitness established by this chapter at a cost not in excess of 50% of its physical value, as determined by a finding of the inspector.
DILAPIDATED.
(1) As it applies to dwellings and rooming houses, means that a dwelling or rooming house is unsafe or unfit for human habitation and cannot be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards of fitness established by this chapter at a cost not in excess of 65% of its physical value, as determined by a finding of the inspector.
(2) As it applies to lodging establishments, means that a lodging establishment is unsafe or unfit for human habitation and cannot be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards of fitness established by this chapter at a cost not in excess of 50% of its physical value, as determined by a finding of the inspector.
DWELLING. Any building, structure, manufactured home or mobile home, or part thereof, used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith, except that it does not include any manufactured home or mobile home, which is used solely for a seasonal vacation purpose.
DWELLING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.
EXTERMINATION. The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the inspector.
GARBAGE. The byproduct of animal or vegetable foodstuffs resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food, or other matter which is subject to decomposition, decay, putrefaction or the generation of noxious or offensive gases or odors, or which, during or after decay, may serve as breeding or feeding material for flies, insects or animals.
GOVERNING BODY. The Town Board of Commissioners.
HABITABLE ROOM. A room used or intended to be used by one or more persons for living, eating, or sleeping, but does not include bathrooms, toilet compartments, laundries, serving and storage pantries, halls, corridors, basements, and other spaces that are not used frequently or during extended periods.
INFESTATION. The presence, within or around a place of habitation, of any insects, rodents or other pests in such number as to constitute a menace to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or to the public.
INSPECTOR. Any person who is authorized by the Code Enforcement Official to conduct inspections for the purpose of enforcing this chapter.
LODGING ESTABLISHMENT. Any hotel, motel, inn, tourist home, or other place providing lodging accommodations for pay. For purposes of this chapter, the term lodging establishment does not include any hotel, motel, inn, tourist home, or other place providing lodging accommodations for pay that is licensed or permitted by the state or the Chatham County Department of Public Health pursuant to G.S. Ch. 130A.
LODGING UNIT. A room or suite in any hotel, inn, tourist home, or other place providing lodging accommodations for pay designed for the temporary housing of paying guests. For purposes of this chapter, a LODGING UNIT does not include a room in or suite in any hotel, inn, tourist home, or other place providing lodging accommodations for pay designed for the temporary housing of paying guests that is licensed or permitted by the state or the Chatham County Department of Public Health pursuant to G.S. Ch. 130A.
MANUFACTURED HOME AND MOBILE HOME. A structure as defined in G.S. § 143-145(7).
MULTIPLE DWELLING. Any dwelling containing three or more dwelling units.
OCCUPANT. Any person over one year of age living, sleeping, cooking or eating in, or having actual possession of, a place of habitation.
OPERATOR. Any person who has charge, care or control of a building or part thereof, in which dwelling units, rooming units or lodging units are let.
OWNER. Has the meaning specified in G.S. § 160D-1202.
PARTIES IN INTEREST. The same meaning specified in G.S. § 160D-1202.
PIER. A masonry support extending from the ground and footing to and supporting the building or portion thereof. Pier sizes and spacing shall conform to the specifications of the state Building Code.
PLACE OF HABITATION. Any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, lodging establishment or lodging unit.
PLUMBING. Includes all of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, mechanical garbage disposal units (mechanical sink grinders), 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.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY. Any housing authority or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the town, county, or state relating to health, fire, building regulations, or other activities concerning places of habitation or other buildings in the town.
PUBLIC SPACE. That space within any place of habitation which is open to use by the general public.
ROOMING UNIT. A room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended for use for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
ROOMING HOUSE. Any dwelling containing one or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to three or more persons who are not husband and wife, son or daughter, mother or father or sister or brother of the owner or operator.
RUBBISH. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials except garbage. The term includes paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery, dust, and the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible material.
STATE BUILDING CODE. The North Carolina State Building Code or any superseding regulation.
SUPPLIED. Paid for, furnished, provided by, or under the control of the owner or operator.
TEMPORARY HOUSING. Any tent, trailer or other structure used for human shelter which is designed to be transportable and which is not attached to the ground, to another structure, or to any utilities system on the same premises for more than 30 consecutive days.
TENANT. Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others, occupies a residential building under a lease or holds a legal tenancy in a building.
UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION. That conditions exist in a place of habitation which violate or do not comply with one or more of the minimum standards of fitness, or with one or more of the responsibilities of owners and occupants established by this chapter.
Whenever the terms DWELLING, DWELLING UNIT, ROOMING HOUSE, ROOMING UNIT, LODGING ESTABLISHMENT, LODGING UNIT, PLACE OF HABITATION and PREMISES are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though followed by the phrase "or any part thereof."
(Ord. passed 6-27-2022)