As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the
context:
BUILDING
An independent structure having a roof supported by columns or walls
resting on its own foundation and includes dwelling, garage, barn, stable,
shed, greenhouse, mobile home, plant, factory, warehouse, school or similar
structure.
DANGEROUS BUILDING OR CONDITION
All buildings, structures or conditions which have any or all of
the following defects shall be deemed dangerous buildings or conditions:
(1)
Those buildings whose interior walls or other vertical structural members
list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the
center of gravity falls outside of the middle third of its base.
(2)
Those buildings which, exclusive of the foundation, show damage or deterioration
to 33% of the supporting member or members, or damage or deterioration to
50% of the non-supporting enclosing or outside walls or covering.
(3)
Those buildings which have improperly distributed loads upon the floors
or roofs or in which the same are overloaded, or which have insufficient strength
to be reasonably safe for the purpose used.
(4)
Those buildings which have been damaged by fire, wind or other causes
so as to be dangerous to life, safety, or the general health and welfare of
the occupants or the public.
(5)
Those buildings which are so damaged, dilapidated, decayed, unsafe,
unsanitary, vermin infested or which so utterly fail to provide the amenities
essential to decent living that they are unfit for human habitation, or are
likely to cause sickness or disease, so as to work injury to the health, safety
or general welfare of those living therein.
(6)
Those buildings which have parts thereof which are so attached that
they may fall and injure property or members of the public.
(7)
Those buildings which lack illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities
or because of another condition are unsafe, unsanitary, or dangerous to the
health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants or the public.
(8)
Those buildings which because of their location are unsanitary, or otherwise
dangerous, to the health or safety of the occupants or the public.
(9)
Those buildings existing in violation of any provision of the Building
Code, Fire Prevention Code, or other ordinances of the Borough of Coudersport.
(10)
Those buildings, parts thereof, or man-made structures, which meet the
following criteria: have been unoccupied for a period in excess
of six months (including any such structure purportedly under construction
upon which no substantial construction work or activity has been undertaken
or performed upon the same for a period in excess of six months); and, the
doors, windows or other openings have become open (i.e., such openings are
in need of being repaired, boarded or sealed up).
(11)
Those conditions where wells, cesspools, cisterns, sedimentation ponds,
stormwater management impoundment or ponds of similar nature are permitted
to remain open without adequate fencing or barricades to prevent access thereto
by the general public.
(12)
Those conditions where vegetation or heavy undergrowth is permitted
to grow near or along any sidewalk, street or alley so as to constitute a
safety hazard to any pedestrian or to the vehicular traffic utilizing any
such sidewalk, street or alley including those situations where the vegetation
blocks or impairs one's ability to see traffic signs or the presence of others
(both pedestrians as well as vehicular traffic) in the vicinity.
(13)
Those conditions where drainage and discharge thereof (including roof
drainage, surface water drainage and sanitary sewer drainage) is inadequate
and such inadequacy (including those situations where inadequate provision
has been made, improper construction performed and improper maintenance utilized)
creates a safety or health hazard to person or property as a result thereof.
(14)
Those conditions where any refrigerator, freezer, similar storage chest
or car is discarded, abandoned or stored in any place or location which is
accessible to the general public without first completely removing any and
all locking devices or removing all doors thereto; provided, that nothing
herein shall be construed so as to permit any act or practice otherwise prohibited
by applicable law including any of the ordinances of the Borough of Coudersport.
DWELLING
Any building which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used
for living or sleeping by human occupants.
DWELLING UNIT
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 or sleeping by human occupants.
EXTERMINATION
Control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating
their harborage places, removing or making inaccessible materials that may
serve as their food, poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping, or by any
other recognized and legal pest elimination methods.
GARBAGE
Animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation,
cooking and consumption of food.
INFESTATION
Presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents or
other pests.
OWNER
Person who, alone or jointly or severally with others:
(1)
Shall have legal title to any dwelling, dwelling unit, structure or
property with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or
(2)
Shall have charge, care or control of any dwelling, dwelling unit, structure
or property as owner or agent of the owner, lessee, or as executor, executrix,
administrator, administratrix, 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 with rules and regulations adopted pursuant
hereto, to the same extent as if he were the owner.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership, or
other legal entity.
PROPERTY
A piece, parcel, lot or tract of land.
RUBBISH
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage, including
residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke, and other combustible material,
paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches,
yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass crockery and dust.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected with a fixed or ascertainable location
on the ground or in the water, including buildings, walls, fences, platforms,
docks, wharves, billboards, signs and walks.