Terms defined. As used in this chapter, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BASEMENT
That portion of a structure which is partly or completely
below grade.
BUILDING CODE
The ICC International Building Code as amended or adopted
from time to time by Talbot County for the regulation of construction,
alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location,
occupancy, or maintenance of premises and structures.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
CENTRAL HEATING
The heating system permanently installed and adjusted so
as to provide the distribution of heat to all habitable areas from
a source outside of these areas.
CODE
The Minimum Livability Code.
CODE OFFICIAL
The Planning Officer or any duly authorized agent or designee
who is authorized to enforce this code or the Building Code.
CONDEMN
To declare a structure or part of it, premises, or equipment
unsafe or unfit for use or occupation.
CONDEMNATION ORDER
A written order issued by the Code Official stating that
a structure or part of it, premises, or equipment has been condemned
and shall be placarded, vacated, and/or placed out of service.
CONFIRMED ORDER
A written order, issued by the Conference Director, following
a reconsideration which affirms all provisions of a previous order
issued by the Code Official.
COUNTY
Talbot County, Maryland.
DEFECTS, SERIOUS OR SUBSTANTIAL
Any condition or defect which constitutes, or if not promptly
corrected will constitute, a fire hazard or a serious and substantial
threat to the life, health or safety of the occupants, including,
but not limited to:
(1)
Lack of heat, of light, electricity, or of hot
or cold running water, except where the tenant is responsible for
the payment of the utilities and the lack thereof is the direct result
of the tenant's failure to pay the charges; or
(2)
Lack of adequate sewage disposal facilities;
or
(3)
Infestation of rodents or vermin; or
(4)
The existence of paint containing lead pigment
on surfaces that present a hazard to children; or
(5)
The existence of any structural defect which
presents a serious and substantial threat to the physical safety of
the occupants; or
(6)
The existence of any condition which presents
a health or fire hazard to the dwelling unit.
DEMOLITION ORDER
A written order issued by the Code Official to a property
owner stating that a vacant structure which has been condemned, not
warranting of repairs, and a hazard to the public health, safety or
welfare must be demolished.
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rodents, or other
pests by:
(1)
Eliminating their harborage places;
(2)
Removing or making inaccessible materials that
may serve as their food;
(3)
Poison spraying, fumigating, trapping, or by
any other pest-elimination methods which have received all necessary
and legally required approvals.
FINAL ORDER
A written order issued by the Code Official to a property
owner or tenant when compliance with a previous order has not been
met.
GARBAGE
The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling,
preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
HABITABLE AREA
The space in a structure used for living, sleeping, eating,
or cooking including bathrooms and toilet compartments. Closets, halls,
storage or utility space, and similar areas are not considered habitable
areas.
HOUSING UNIT
A single unit of a structure providing or intended to provide
complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including
provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
INFESTATION
The presence, within or contiguous to, a structure or premises
of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests in such number as to be
considered troublesome and/or a threat to the health of the occupants.
MAINTENANCE
The repair and other acts intended to prevent a decline in
the condition of a structure, housing unit premises, or equipment
below the standards established by this code and other applicable
statutes, codes, and ordinances.
MODIFIED ORDER
A written order, issued by the Conference Director, following
a reconsideration which modifies or revokes all or part of the provisions
of a previous order issued by the Code Official.
OCCUPANT
An individual having the right to legal possession of a space
within a housing unit or structure.
OPERATOR
A person who has charge, care, or control of a housing unit,
structure or premises which is occupied or offered for occupancy.
PERSON
Includes an individual, partnership, limited partnership,
trust, estate, association or corporation.
PLUMBING
The practice, materials, facilities, and fixtures used in
the installation, maintenance, extension or alteration of all piping,
fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances within the scope of the applicable
Plumbing Code.
PLUMBING FIXTURE
A receptacle or device which:
(1)
Is either permanently or temporarily connected
to the water distribution system of the premises, and demands a supply
of water from it; or
(2)
Discharges used water, liquid-borne waste materials,
or sewage either directly or indirectly to the drainage system of
the premises; or
(3)
Requires both a water supply connection and
a discharge to the drainage system of the premises.
PREMISES
A lot, plat or parcel of land including the structures on
it.
PROPERTY OWNER
A person having a legal or equitable interest in the premises,
including the guardian of the estate of the person, or the executor
or administrator of the estate of the person if ordered to take possession
of the premises by a court.
RECONSIDERATION
An informal conference in which any interested person may
request the Conference Director to modify or revoke the terms of any
order or notice issued by the Code Official.
REPAIR ORDER
A written order issued by the Code Official to a property
owner or tenant, to correct or eliminate any violation of this code,
or to restore, replace, or construct any improvement to a housing
unit or structure to comply with this code.
ROOMING HOUSE or BOARDINGHOUSE
Any building containing one or more rooming units which is
used or designed to be used, with or without meals, as an abiding
place for three or more persons who are not related to the owner or
lessee of the same, and shall include but is not limited to hotels,
motels, lodging houses, or other buildings with a similar use.
RUBBISH
Paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather,
tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass,
crockery, dust and other similar materials as well as the residue
from the burning of wood, coal, coke, and other combustible materials.
STRUCTURE
A residential structure used for human habitation, including
one or more housing units.
TENANT
An occupant other than a property owner.
VENTILATION
(1)
VENTILATIONThe process of supplying and removing air by natural or mechanical means to or from a space.
(3)
NATURAL VENTILATIONVentilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, doors, louvers, or stacks without power-driven devices.
WORKING DAY
Any day on which offices of the Talbot County government
are open for normal business.