§ 22-182. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Addition means an extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.

Alter and alteration mean any change or modification in construction or occupancy of a building, structure, dwelling, accessory structure or dwelling unit.

Building means a structure built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind.

Duplex means a detached building containing two dwelling units connected by a common wall or other integral part of the principal building, such as a breezeway or carport.

Dwelling means a building, structure, trailer or mobile home which is wholly or partly used, or intended to be used, for living or sleeping purposes by human occupants, whether such structure, building, trailer or mobile home is occupied or vacant.

Dwelling unit means a single unit which is designed and intended for occupancy by one family, and includes complete, independent and permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking and sanitation.

Extermination means the control and extermination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food; poisoning, spraying, fumigating or trapping; or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods.

Floor area means the total area of all habitable space in a building or structure.

Garbage means the animal, vegetable, fruit or other 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, pantries, foyers or halls, closets and storage spaces.

Housing official means the appointed staff member designated by the city manager to administer this article.

Infestation means the presence, within or around a dwelling, of insects, rodents or pests, which are detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare of the residents or occupants of such dwelling.

Major violation means a defect that exists on a property or structure that is immediately dangerous to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants, passersby or persons in contiguous areas; a defect that exists which seriously undermines the component or structural member which renders such component or structural member unsafe to use in its present condition.

Minor violation means a defect that exists on a property or structure which, in its present state of disrepair, deterioration or absence, does not constitute an immediate hazard.

Mobile home means a transportable structure consisting of one or more portable sections which is ten feet or more in width, built to be towed on its own integral chassis and running gear, and designed to be used as a residential dwelling unit when installed on real estate and connected to the necessary utilities. A mobile home shall be constructed in accordance with the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and/or the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. A structure which is less than ten feet in width and manufactured prior to 1968 may be considered a mobile home, provided, such unit was designed to be used as a dwelling unit.

Multiple dwelling means a building, or portion thereof, which is occupied as the home or residence of more than two families living independently of each other and doing their own cooking in the building, and shall include flats and apartments.

Nuisance means an activity which arises from unreasonable, unwarranted or unlawful use, by a person, of property, working obstruction or injury to the right of another or the public, and producing such material annoyance, inconvenience and discomfort that the law will presume resulting damage.

Openable area means the part of a window or door which is available for unobstructed ventilation, and which opens directly to the outdoors.

Operator means a person who has charge, care or control of a building, or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let.

Owner means a person, agent, partnership, corporation, agency or other legal entity having a legal equitable interest in real property or a dwelling, or other persons who have an interest in a structure and are in possession or control thereof as agents of the owner, executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such person representing the owner shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this article to the same extent as if he or she were the owner, and upon failure to comply, shall be subject to the same penalties set forth in this article.

Person means an individual, firm corporation, association or partnership.

Plumbing code means the Florida Building Code as adopted by the city by and through section 22-31.

Premises means a lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or structures on such lot, plot or parcel of land.

Public area means an unoccupied open space adjoining a building and located on the same property as the building, and which is permanently maintained accessible to the public and free of all encumbrances that might interfere with use by the public.

Repair means the replacement of existing work with the same kind of material used in the existing work, not including additional work that would change the structural safety of the building, or that would affect or change required exit facilities, a vital element of an elevator, plumbing, gas, piping, wiring or heating installations, or that would be in such a provision of law or ordinance. This term shall not apply to any change of construction.

Rubbish means combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage. This term shall include, but not be limited to, the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke or other combustible material, as well as boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metal, mineral matter, glass crockery and dust.

Stairway means one or more flights of stairs and the necessary landings and platforms connecting such flights of stair which form a continuous and uninterrupted passage from one story to another in a building or structure.

Story means the portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above it, except the topmost story shall be the portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above it.

Structure means that which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in a definite manner.

Supplied means to be paid for, furnished or provided by or under the control of the owner or operator.

Temporary housing means a tent, trailer or other structure used for human shelter which is designed to be transportable, and which is not attached to the ground, another structure or any utility system on the same premises for more than 30 consecutive days.

Ventilation means the process of supplying and removing air, by natural or mechanical means, to or from any space.

Yard means an open space at grade between a building or structure and the adjoining lot lines unoccupied and unobstructed by any portion of a building or structure from the ground upward.

(Ord. No. 2001-08, art. II, 8-14-2001)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.