For the purpose of this subchapter, the meaning of the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall be construed as set forth in such definition.
ABANDONED BUILDING. Any building or portion thereof which has stood with an incomplete exterior shell for longer than three years or any building or portion thereof which has stood unoccupied for longer than one year and which meets one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Unsecured;
(2) Boarded;
(3) Having multiple exterior housing code or building violations; or
(4) Placarded as "Unfit for Human Habitation" pursuant to the city and Minnesota Codes.
ABATEMENT DEADLINE. The date by which the nuisance must be abated as specified in a written order.
ANNOYANCES. Any condition which unreasonably annoys, injures or endangers the safety, health, morals, comfort, or repose of any considerable number of members of the public.
DANGEROUS STRUCTURE. Any structure which is potentially dangerous to persons or property including specifically, but not exclusively:
(1) A structure which is in danger of partial or complete collapse;
(2) A structure which has any exterior parts such as chimneys, eaves, porches, siding, railings, or trim which are loose or in danger of falling; or
(3) A structure which has any parts such as porches, stairs, ramps, rails, balconies, or roofs which are accessible and which are collapsed, in danger of collapsing, or unable to support a person.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. The City Clerk, Fire Chief, Health Officer, or a duly authorized representative.
EXTERMINATION. The eradication of vermin by methods such as poison, fumigation, or trapping.
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Any material so defined by Minnesota Statutes or Minnesota Code of Agency Rules.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. Any action or condition which constitutes a violation of law.
INTERESTED PARTY. Any owner of record, occupying tenant, or lien holder of record.
JUNK. Accumulations of discarded or disused machinery, household appliances, automobile bodies, broken or unused metal, wood, lumber, cement, electrical fixtures, plumbing fixtures, building materials except for building materials awaiting use in construction or improvement presently in progress on the same premises, trash, debris, rubbish situated outside of a building or if situated inside a building stored in such a manner as to constitute a fire, health or safety hazard or in a manner conducive to the harboring of vermin.
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS. The address shown on the records of the Wright County Auditor or a more recent address known to the enforcement officer. In the case of parties not listed in the Auditor's records, the last known address shall be that address obtained by the officer after a reasonable search.
NOXIOUS SUBSTANCES. Substances solid, liquid, or gas, which are offensive, detrimental to health, hurtful, or dangerous. Noxious substances shall include specifically, but not exclusively, any dead animal, putrid carcass, decayed animal matter, green hides, or any putrid, spoiled, foul, or stinking beef, pork, fish, offal, hides, skins, fat, grease or liquors, human or animal excrement, manure, or sewage.
NUISANCE. Any substance, matter, emission, or thing which creates a dangerous or unhealthy condition or which threatens the public peace, health, safety, or sanitary condition of the city or which is offensive or has a blighting influence on the community and which is found upon, in, or being discharged or flowing from any street, alley, highway, railroad right-of-way, vehicle, railroad car, water, excavation, building, erection, lot, grounds, or other property located within the city.
OBSTRUCTIONS. Objects or conditions which interfere with, endanger or prevent the ordinary or safe use of any property.
OWNER. Any person shown to be the owner of the property on the records of the Wright County Auditor.
PERSONAL SERVICE. Service by personally handing a copy to the intended recipient or by leaving a copy at the intended recipient's residence with a person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein.
PRIVY. Any type of non-flush fixture for the receipt and storage of human waste including specifically, but not exclusively, fixed units with vaults as well as portable units.
PROPERTY. Any parcel of land whether vacant or not, whether any structure thereon is occupied or not, or whether submerged or not.
REFUSE. Putrescible and non-putrescible and combustible and noncombustible waste, including specifically, but not exclusively, paper, garbage, material resulting from the handling, processing, storage, preparation, serving and consumption of food, vegetable or animal matter, offal, rubbish, plant wastes such as tree trimmings or grass cuttings, ashes, incinerator residue, street cleanings, construction debris, detached vehicle parts and unlicensed vehicles which are not stored inside a building, and industrial and market wastes.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY. Any one or more of the following:
(1) Agent;
(2) Collector of rents or assignee;
(3) Holder of a contract or deed;
(4) A mortgagee or vendee in possession;
(5) Receiver or executer or trustee;
(6) Lessee; or
(7) Other person, firm, or corporation exercising apparent control over a property.
SERVICE BY MAIL. Depositing the item with the United States Postal Service addressed to the intended recipient at his or her last known address with first class postage prepaid thereon.
UNOCCUPIED BUILDING. A building which is not being used for a legal occupancy or a building which has been ordered vacated by the city.
UNSECURED. Shall mean:
(1) Open to entry by unauthorized persons without the use of tools or ladders; or
(2) Open to the elements because of broken, cracked or missing windows, doors, siding, molding, brick, stucco, concrete, metal, roofing or other exterior building surfaces.
VERMIN. Shall mean specifically, but not exclusively, rats, mice, skunks, raccoons, chipmunks, woodchucks, snakes, bats, grackles, starlings, pigeons, bees, wasps, hornets, cockroaches or flies.
WEEDS. Useless and troublesome plants commonly known as weeds including specifically, but not exclusively, noxious weeds such as cockleburr, burdock, tumble mustard, wild mustard, wild oats, Canadian Thistle, oxeye daisy, quack grass, Frenchweed, and Russian thistle.
(Ord. 16-01, passed 2-9-16)