Unless otherwise expressly stated or clearly indicated by the context, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings indicated in this section:
BUILDING: As defined in section 9-2-3 of this code.
CODE: The Riverwoods village code.
DANGEROUS OR UNSAFE BUILDING: All buildings that are found to pose a danger to the life, health, property or safety of the public by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn the public in the event of a fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment, or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty or incomplete construction or unstable, that partial or complete collapse or systems failures are possible.
DIRECTOR: The director of community services of the village.
OWNER: Any person, agent, operator, firm, trust, or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the premises; or recorded in the official records of the state, county, or municipality as holding title to the premises; or otherwise having control or possession of the premises, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person, if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
PERSON: Includes a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other entity as well as an individual.
PREMISES: A lot, plot or parcel of land including any building thereon.
PUBLIC NUISANCE: Includes the following:
A. The physical condition, or uses of any premises regarded as a public nuisance at common law, under the Illinois Compiled Statutes, or under this code; or
B. Any physical condition, use or occupancy of any premises or its appurtenances that is likely to attract children to danger or harm thereby constituting an attractive nuisance, including, but not limited to, abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations, and unsafe fences or structures; or
C. Any building which has unsanitary sewerage or plumbing facilities; or
D. Any building found to be unsafe for human habitation or use; or
E. Any building which, from inspection, is found to have physical conditions that create an obvious fire hazard or render the building so unsafe or insecure as to endanger life, limb or property; or
F. Any premises which is unsanitary, is exhibiting rodent harborage or infestation, or which is littered with rubbish or garbage, or which has an uncontrolled growth of weeds; or
G. Any building that is: dangerous; in a state of dilapidation, deterioration or decay; improperly constructed; unsecured; vacant with the doors, windows, or other openings boarded up or secured by any means other than conventional methods used in the design of the building or permitted for new construction of similar type; damaged by fire to the extent that it no longer provides shelter; in danger of collapse or structural failure; and dangerous to anyone on or near the premises; or
H. Any building designated as a "dangerous or unsafe building" as defined in this chapter; or a public nuisance anywhere in this code, as it may be amended.
UNOCCUPIED BUILDING: A building or portion thereof which lacks the habitual presence of human beings who have a legal right to occupy the building, including buildings ordered vacated by the director pursuant to authority granted by this code. In determining whether a building is "unoccupied", the director may consider one or more of the following factors:
A. Substantially all lawful residential or business activity in the building has ceased.
B. The building is substantially devoid of contents. The condition and value of fixtures or personal property in the building are relevant to this determination.
C. The building's utility services, such as water, electric or natural gas, have been shut off.
VACANT BUILDING: Any unoccupied building that has not been legally occupied for a consecutive period of at least sixty (60) days by any lawful occupant or occupants unless one of the following is true:
A. The building is the subject of an active building permit for repair or rehabilitation and the owner is progressing diligently to complete the repair or rehabilitation; or
B. The building meets all codes, is not in a state of disrepair or deterioration, is actively being maintained and monitored by the owner, and is ready for occupancy or is actively being offered for sale, lease or rent. (Ord. 10-12-25, 12-7-2010)