Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of the terms used herein shall be as follows:
(a) Code Official means the City’s Code Enforcement Officer.
(b) Days means consecutive calendar days.
(c) Foreclosing means the process by which a property, placed as security for a real estate loan, is prepared for sale to satisfy the debt if the borrower defaults.
(d) Initiation of the foreclosure process means taking any of the following actions:
(1) Taking possession of a property; or
(2) Conducting a Trustee’s Sale pursuant to a Deed of Trust.
(e) Mortgagee means the creditor, including but not limited to, service companies, lenders in a mortgage agreement and any agent, servant or employee of the mortgagee, or any successor in interest and/or assignee of the mortgagee’s rights, interests, or obligations under the mortgage agreement.
(f) Owner means every person, entity, service company, property manager or real estate broker, who alone or severally with others:
(1) Has legal or equitable title to any dwelling, dwelling unit, mobile dwelling unit, or parcel of land, vacant or otherwise, including a mobile home park; or
(2) Has care, charge or control of any dwelling, dwelling unit, mobile dwelling unit or parcel of land, vacant or otherwise, including a mobile home park, in any capacity including but not limited to agent, executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix, trustee or guardian of the estate of the holder of legal title; or
(3) Is a mortgagee in possession of any such property; or
(4) Is an agent, trustee or other person appointed by the courts and vested with possession or control of any such property; or
(5) Is an officer or trustee of the association of unit owners of a condominium. Each such person is bound to comply with the provisions of these minimum standards as if he were the owner; or
(6) Is a trustee who holds, owns or controls mortgage loans for mortgage backed securities transactions and has initiated the foreclosure process.
(g) Property means any real, commercial or residential property or portion thereof; located in the City of Ripley, including building or structures situated on the property. For purposes of this section only, property does not include property owned or subject to the control of the City.
(h) Securing means measures that assist in making the property inaccessible to unauthorized persons.
(i) Vacant means any property not currently legally occupied and not properly maintained or secured.
(9-17-19)