For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section; provided, that 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":
Basement means 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.
Cellar means 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.
Deteriorated means unfit for human habitation and capable of being repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards for dwellings established by this chapter, at a cost not in excess of fifty (50) percent of the value of any such deteriorated dwelling, as determined by finding of the code enforcement officer.
Dilapidated means unfit for human habitation and incapable of being repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards for dwellings established by this chapter, at a cost not in excess of fifty (50) percent of the value of any such dilapidated dwelling, as determined by finding of the code enforcement officer.
Dwelling means any building which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants; provided, that temporary housing, as defined in this section, shall not be regarded as a dwelling.
Dwelling unit means 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 means 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 or trapping; or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the code enforcement officer.
Garbage means the animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
Habitable room means 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.
Infestation means 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.
Multiple dwelling means any dwelling containing more than two (2) dwelling units.
Occupant means any person over one (1) year of age, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in, or having actual possession of, a dwelling unit or rooming unit.
Operator means any person who has charge, care or control of a building, or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let.
Owner means any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others:
(1) Shall have title to any dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or
(2) Shall have charge, care or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner or agent of the owner or as executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter, and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he were the owner.
Plumbing means all of the following supplied facilities and equipment: Gas pipes, gas burning equipment, water pipes, mechanical garbage disposal units (mechanical sink grinder), waste pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes washing machines, catchbasins, drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
Public authority means the town housing authority or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the town or of the county or state relating to health, fire, building regulations or other activities concerning dwellings in the town.
Rooming house means any dwelling, or that part of any dwelling containing one (1) or more rooming units, in which space is let by the owner or operator to three (3) 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 means any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.
Rubbish means combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage and ashes, including paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust.
Supplied means paid for, furnished or provided by, or under the control of, the owner or operator.
Temporary housing means 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 thirty (30) consecutive days.
Unfit for human habitation means having conditions existing in a dwelling which violate or do not comply with one (1) or more of the minimum standards of fitness or one (1) or more of the requirements established by this chapter.
(Code 1977, § 13-2)
Cross reference— Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.