A. 
Scope. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings shown in this article.
B. 
Interchangeability. Words stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural, the singular.
C. 
Terms defined in other codes. Where terms are not defined in this chapter and are defined in the ASME, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as in those codes.
D. 
Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
E. 
Whenever the words "dwelling unit," "dwelling," "premises," "building," "rooming house," "rooming unit" or "story" are stated in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof."
ASME
American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
APPROVED
Approved by the Department head.
BASEMENT
That portion of a building which is partly or completely below grade.
BATHROOM
A room containing plumbing fixtures, including a bathtub or shower.
BEDROOM
Any room or space used or intended to be used for sleeping purposes.
BRUSH, WEEDS AND DEBRIS
Includes brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash or other debris.
BULK ITEMS
Any large, heavy and/or bulky household appliances, furniture and furnishings which cannot easily and safely be placed in the common collection vehicle known as a "load packer or "dumpster." This includes items of ferrous and nonferrous aluminum.
CELLAR
The lowermost portion of the building, party or totally underground, having 1/2 or more of its height, measured from clear floor to ceiling, below the average adjoining ground level. Where the natural contour of the ground level immediately adjacent to the building is interrupted by ditching, pits or trenching, then the average adjoining ground level shall be the nearest natural contour line parallel to the wall of the building without regard to the levels created by the ditching, pits or trenching.
[Added 10-12-2006 by Ord. No. MC-4226]
CONDEMN
To adjudge unfit for occupancy.
CONDOMINIUM
The form of ownership of real property under a master deed providing for the ownership of one or more units of improvements together with an undivided interest in common elements appurtenant to each unit.
[Added 10-12-2006 by Ord. No. MC-4226]
DEPARTMENT HEAD
The official who is charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter, or any duly authorized representative.
DWELLING UNIT
A single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
EXTERIOR PROPERTY
The open space on the premises and on adjoining property under the control of owners or operators of such premises.
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rats or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that serve as their food; by poison spraying, fumigating, trapping or by any other approved pest elimination methods.
GARBAGE
The animal or vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
GUARD
A building component or a system of building components located at or near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to a lower level.
HABITABLE SPACE
Space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
HOUSING SPACE
That portion of a multiple dwelling rented or offered for rent for living or dwelling purposes in which cooking equipment is supplied, and includes all privileges, services, furnishings, furniture, equipment, facilities and improvements connected with the use or occupancy of such portions of the property. The term shall not mean or include public housing or dwelling space in any hotel, motel or established guesthouse which is commonly regarded as a hotel, motel or established guesthouse, as the case may be, in the community in which it is located.
IMMINENT DANGER
A condition which could cause serious or life-threatening injury or death at any time.
INFESTATION
The presence, within or contiguous to a structure or premises, of insects, rats, vermin or other pests.
LABELED
Devices, equipment, appliances or materials to which has been affixed a label, seal, symbol or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of the production of the above-labeled items and by whose label the manufacturer attests to compliance with applicable nationally recognized standards.
LARGE METAL ITEMS
Includes, but is not limited to, refrigerators, stoves, hot-water heaters, washers, dryers, bicycles and tire rims.
LET FOR OCCUPANCY OR LET
To permit, provide or offer possession or occupancy of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, building, premises or structure by a person who is or is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease, agreement or license, or pursuant to a recorded or unrecorded agreement of contract for the sale of land.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
Includes any building or structure and land appurtenant thereto containing three or more apartments for rent or offered for rent to three or more tenants or family units.
OCCUPANCY
The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is utilized or occupied.
OCCUPANT
Any individual living or sleeping in a building, or having possession of a space within a building.
OPENABLE AREA
That part of a window, skylight or door which is available for unobstructed ventilation and which opens directly to the outdoors.
OPERATOR
Any person who has charge, care or control of a structure or premises which is let or offered for occupancy.
OWNER
Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the 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.
PARTIES IN INTEREST
All individuals, associations and corporations who have interests of record in a multiple dwelling and who are in actual possession thereof or any person authorized to receive rents payable for housing space in a multiple dwelling.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, partnership or any other group acting as a unit.
PUBLIC OFFICER
The Director of Code Enforcement or his designee(s) who is or are authorized by this chapter to exercise the powers described by this chapter.
ROOMING HOUSE
A building arranged or occupied for lodging, with or without meals, for compensation and not occupied as a one- or two-family dwelling.
ROOMING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit occupied or intended to be occupied for sleeping or living but not for cooking purposes.
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.
STRICT LIABILITY OFFENSE
An offense in which the prosecution in a legal proceeding is not required to prove criminal intent as a part of its case. It is enough to prove that the defendant either did an act which was prohibited or failed to do an act which the defendant was legally required to do.
STRUCTURE
That which is built or constructed, or a portion thereof.
SUBSTANDARD MULTIPLE DWELLING
Any dwelling determined to be substandard by the Public Officer.
TENANT
A person, corporation, partnership or group, whether or not the legal owner.
TOILET ROOM
A room containing a water closet or urinal but not a bathtub or shower.
VENTILATION
The natural or mechanical process of supplying conditioned or unconditioned air to, or removing such air from, any space.
WORKMANLIKE
Executed in a skilled manner; e.g., generally plumb, level, square, in line, undamaged and without marring adjacent work.