For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined:
1. “All-weather surface” means an asphalt, Portland cement concrete, brick paver or gravel surface free of all grass and weeds for the entirety of the surface and of sufficient thickness to adequately support a motor vehicle.
2. “Building” means a structure for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattel.
3. “Inoperable condition” means a vehicle that: (i) has a missing or defective part that is necessary for normal operation; or (ii) is on blocks, jacks or other supports; (iii) does not have a current license, properly displayed, for operation on a public roadway as defined in Chapter 321.18 of the Code of Iowa; or (iv) does not have all tires inflated properly in order for the vehicle to operate correctly. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and other conditions that show that a vehicle is not operable may also exist.
4. “Junk” means all old or scrap copper, brass, lead, or any other non-ferrous metal; old or discarded rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber, debris, waste or used lumber, or salvaged wood; dismantled vehicles, machinery and appliances or parts of such vehicles, machinery or appliances; iron, steel or other old or scrap ferrous materials; old or discarded glass, tinware, plastic or old or discarded household goods or hardware. Neatly stacked firewood located on a side yard or a rear yard is not considered junk.
5. “Junk vehicle” means any vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, or any other type of vehicle, whether currently licensed or not, which includes, but is not limited to the following characteristics:
A. Any vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer which is rendered inoperable, or may not be lawfully operated on a public street or highway, because of a missing or broken windshield or window glass, fender, door, bumper, hood, steering wheel, driver's seat, trunk, fuel tank, wheel, engine, drive shaft, differential, battery, generator or alternator or other component part of an electrical system, or any component or structural part.
B. Any vehicle, trailer or semitrailer which has become the habitat of rats, mice, snakes or any other vermin or insects.
C. Any vehicle, trailer or semitrailer which contains stored gasoline or other flammable fuel, paper, cardboard, wood or other combustible materials, garbage, refuse, solid waste, debris, etc.
D. Any vehicle, trailer or semitrailer used for storage purposes or harborage, cage or dwelling for animals of any kind.
E. Any other vehicle, trailer or semitrailer which because of its defective or obsolete condition in any other way constitutes a threat to the public health or safety of the citizens of Washington, Iowa.
6. “Lot” means a parcel of land whose area, in addition to the parts thereof occupied by a building or accessory structure, is sufficient to provide front, side, and rear yards as specified in the zoning regulations.
7. “Motor home” means a motor vehicle designed as an integral unit to be used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways for use as a temporary or recreational dwelling as defined in the Section 321.1(36C)(d) of the Code of Iowa.
8. “Motor vehicle” means a vehicle which is self-propelled and not operated upon rails.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.42[a])
9. “Nuisance” means whatever is injurious to health, indecent, offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property so as to interfere essentially with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 657.1)
10. “Outside” means to be not within an enclosed storage facility or structure and to be visible from other property, including public right-of-way.
11. “Residential area” means an area which is either classified as a residential district for zoning purposes or is regularly used by its occupants as a permanent place of abode or dwelling, which is made one’s home as opposed to one’s place of business and which has housekeeping and cooking facilities.
12. “Restoration” means to bring back to a former condition.
13. “Semitrailer” means every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constituted that some of its weight rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.
14. “Trailer” means every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and being constructed that no part of its weight rests on the towing vehicle.
15. “Undeveloped area” means a parcel of land which has no buildings or structures and which is not a park, playground, athletic field, parking area, or place used for vehicular traffic.
16. “Vehicle” means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon the highway as defined in the Code of Iowa 321.1(90).
17. “Vital component parts” means those parts and elements of a motor vehicle that are essential to the mechanical functioning of the vehicle on a public roadway in a lawful manner, including but not limited to the motor drive train and wheels.
18. “Yard, front” means an open space extending the full width of the lot between the building and the front lot line, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except as otherwise specified in the zoning regulations.