(A) For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED STRUCTURE. Any structure, whether designed and intended for residential or other uses, which has been vacant or not in active use, regardless of purpose or reason, for the past two-year period and which is determined by the Housing Inspector to be unfit for human habitation or occupancy based upon the standards as set forth in this chapter.
BASEMENT. A portion of a building which is located partly underground, having access to light and air from windows located above the level of the adjoining ground.
CELLAR. A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground having inadequate access to light and air from windows located partly or wholly below the level of the adjoining ground.
DETERIORATED DWELLING. A dwelling that is unfit for human habitation and can be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this chapter, at a cost not in excess of 50% of its value, as determined by finding of the Housing Inspector.
DILAPIDATED DWELLING. A dwelling that is unfit for human habitation and cannot be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this chapter at a cost not in excess of 50% of its value, as determined by finding of the Housing 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 accessory buildings and structures 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 Housing Inspector.
GARBAGE. The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
HABITABLE ROOM. A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, heater rooms, foyers or communicating corridors, closets and storage spaces.
HOUSING INSPECTOR. The person appointed by the Board of Commissioners to carry out the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
INFESTATION. The presence, within or around a dwelling, 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.
MANUFACTURED HOME (MOBILE HOME). A structure as defined in G.S. § 143-145(7).
MULTIPLE DWELLING. Any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units.
OCCUPANT. Any person over one year of age living, sleeping, cooking or eating in, or having actual possession of, a dwelling unit or rooming unit.
OPERATOR. Any person who has charge, care or control of a building or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let.
OWNER. The holder of the title in fee simple and every mortgagee of record.
PARTIES IN INTEREST. All individuals, associations and corporations who have interests of record in a dwelling and any who are in possession thereof.
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 dwellings in the town.
ROOMING HOUSE. Any dwelling, or that part of 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.
ROOMING UNIT. Any room or group or rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
RUBBISH. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials except garbage and ashes, and the term shall include, but not be limited to, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass crockery and dust.
SUPPLIED. Paid for, furnished or provided by, or under the control of, the owner or operator.
(B) Whenever the words “dwelling,” “dwelling unit,” “rooming house,” “rooming unit” or “premises” are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words “or any part thereof.”
(1988 Code, § 151.03) (Am. Ord. passed 2-6-1979; Am. Ord. O-20120501-04, passed 5-1-2012)