For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(a) AGENT. Any individual, person, firm, partnership, corporation or company acting on behalf of the property owner of a residential rental unit. The term PERSON IN CHARGE shall be considered to be synonymous with the term AGENT.
(b) APPROVED. Approval by the Zoning Inspector, pursuant to this Code, or approved by any other person or board designated by the ordinances of the city to give approval regarding the matter in question.
(c) BATHROOM. A room containing plumbing fixtures including a bathtub or shower.
(d) BUILDING. A structure having a roof supported by columns or walls for shelter, support or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels. When separated by division walls from the ground up without openings, each portion of such structure shall be deemed a separate building.
(e) CITY. The City of Rossford, Ohio.
(g) DWELLING. A building, or portion thereof occupied by one family for residential purposes as a single-family unit. In no case shall a tent, cabin, recreational vehicle or other temporary or transient structure or facility be considered a DWELLING.
(h) DWELLING, MULTI-FAMILY. A structure containing three or more dwelling units, each having direct access to the outside, and/or independent access to a common corridor providing access to the outside.
(i) DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY. A building occupied or constructed to be occupied exclusively for residential purposes by one family.
(j) DWELLING STRUCTURE. A building or structure, or a part thereof, that is used or designed or intended to be used for residential purposes. DWELLING STRUCTURE is synonymous with the term RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNIT STRUCTURE.
(k) DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY. A structure containing two dwelling units, each having direct access to the outside.
(1) DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one family including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
(m) EFFECTIVE DATE. The date at which time this chapter was initially adopted, and any dates of amendments thereto, as adopted by City Council.
(n) EQUIPMENT SUPPORT. Those structural members or assemblies of members or manufactured elements, including braces, frames, lugs, snuggers, hangers or saddles, that transmit gravity load, lateral load and operating load between the equipment and the structure.
(o) FAMILY. One or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption or not more than four persons not related by blood, marriage or adoption, occupying a dwelling unit as a single-family unit.
(p) GARBAGE. The animal or vegetable waste resulting from handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
(q) HABITABLE ROOM. A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping or eating purposes; excluding bathrooms, toilet rooms, laundries, pantries, dressing rooms, storage spaces, foyers, hallways, utility rooms, heater rooms, boiler rooms, basement recreation rooms and areas used for kitchen purposes, the Zoning Inspector shall determine the portion of the floor area used for kitchen purposes and such portion, so determined, shall not constitute habitable floor area in determining the habitable floor area of a dwelling unit. The term HABITABLE ROOM shall be synonymous with the words HABITABLE SPACE.
(r) INFESTATION. The presence, within or contiguous to, a structure or premises of insects, rats, vermin or other pests.
(s) OPENABLE AREA. That part of a window, skylight or door which is available for unobstructed ventilation and which opens directly to the outdoors.
(t) OCCUPANT. Any person who holds a written or oral lease of, or who actually occupies the whole or part of such building or land, either alone or with others, on a permanent basis. A person visiting the primary registered occupant(s) of a rental unit on a short term basis, and who otherwise holds effective, legal and permanent occupancy elsewhere shall not be considered to constitute an occupant of the property. However, any such person(s) that utilize the address of the rental unit in question in order to access city or community services that are otherwise reserved exclusively to the residents of the city shall be considered to be, and must qualify as, an occupant of the premises.
(u) OPERATOR. Any person who has charge, care or control of a structure or premises which is offered for occupancy.
(v) OWNER. Any person, legal entity or otherwise who holds fee simple title to the property. The person, legal entity or otherwise who is shown on the records of the Wood County Recorder to be the owner of the particular property shall be presumed to be the owner in control of that property; 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.
(w) PEST ELIMINATION. The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that serves as their food or water; by other approved pest elimination methods.
(x) PREMISES. A lot, plot or parcel of land, easement or public way, including any structures thereon.
(y) PUBLIC WAY. Any street, alley or similar parcel of land essentially unobstructed from the ground to the sky, which is deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated to the public for public use.
(z) RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNIT. A dwelling unit that is occupied by persons who are not the owners of that unit, or any currently unoccupied space that is designed or intended to be occupied by persons who are not the owners of the unit. If the unit is owned by a corporation or partnership and the occupier is less than 50% owner of the unit this Code shall apply.
(aa) RUBBISH. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage; the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible materials, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust and other similar materials.
(bb) USE. Any purpose for which a lot, building or other structure or a tract of land may be designated, arranged, intended, maintained or occupied; or any activity, occupation, business or operation carried on or intended to be carried on in a building, or other structure or on a tract of land.
(cc) TOILET ROOM. A room containing a water closet or urinal but not a bathtub or shower.
(dd) WORKMANLIKE. Executed in a skilled manner; e.g., generally plumb, level, square, in line, undamaged and without marring adjacent work.
(ee) ZONING INSPECTOR. The person charged with the implementation and enforcement of this section of the Code, or his or her designee.
(Ord. 2015-14. Passed 6-8-15.)