§ 9-2. Definitions.  


Latest version.
  • The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:

    Basement. "Basement" shall mean 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. "Cellar" shall mean 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. "Deteriorated" shall mean that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation and can be repaired, altered, or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this chapter, at a cost not in excess of fifty (50) percent of its value, as determined by finding of the inspector.

    Dilapidated. "Dilapidated" shall mean that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation and cannot be repaired, altered or improved to comply with all of the minimum standards established by this chapter at a cost not in excess of fifty (50) percent of its value, as determined by finding of the inspector.

    Dwelling. "Dwelling" shall mean 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 hereinafter defined shall not be regarded as a dwelling.

    Dwelling unit. "Dwelling unit" shall mean 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.

    Dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, or premises. 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."

    Extermination. "Extermination" shall mean 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, trapping, or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the inspector.

    Garbage. "Garbage" means animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food, including the combustible and noncombustible waste material resulting therefrom, including paper, rags, cartons, boxes, tin cans, glass and dust, trash or similar household waste.

    Habitable room. "Habitable room" shall mean 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. "Infestation" shall mean 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.

    Inspector. "Inspector" shall mean a building inspector of the town or any agent of the inspector who is authorized by the inspector.

    Multiple dwelling. "Multiple dwelling" shall mean any dwelling containing more than two (2) dwelling units.

    Occupant. "Occupant" shall mean any person over one year of age, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in, or having actual possession of a dwelling unit or rooming unit.

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

    Owner. "Owner" shall mean 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)

    Is a mortgagee of record; or

    (3)

    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. "Plumbing" shall mean and include 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, catch basins, drains, vents, and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.

    Public authority. "Public authority" shall mean the Town of Chapel Hill or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the town or of this county or the State of North Carolina relating to health, fire, building regulations, or other activities concerning dwellings in the town.

    Rooming house. "Rooming house" shall mean a rooming house as the term is defined in the Development Ordinance.

    Rooming unit. "Rooming unit" shall mean any room or groups 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. "Rubbish" shall mean combustible and noncombustible waste material, except garbage, and the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible material, cartons and boxes, tree branches, yard trimmings, and other large discarded articles that are not removed with garbage as a normal practice.

    Supplied. "Supplied" shall mean paid for, furnished, or provided by, or under the control of, the owner or operator.

    Temporary housing. "Temporary housing" shall mean 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. "Unfit for human habitation" shall mean that conditions exist in a dwelling which violate or do not comply with one or more of the minimum standards of fitness or one or more of the requirements established by this chapter.

(Ord. of 9-18-68, § 2; Ord. No. 2002-02-25/O-1; Ord. No. 2010-06-07/O-6, § 1)