As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated unless a different meaning is indicated clearly by the context,
as used in this Code:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure the use of which is incidental to that of the
main building and which is attached thereto or located on the same
premises.
BASEMENT
That portion of a building partly or completely below grade.
(See "story above grade.")
BUILDING
A combination of materials to form a construction, adapted
to permanent or continuous occupancy or use for public, institutional,
residence, business or storage purposes.
CELLAR
A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground
and having 1/2 or more than 1/2 of its clear floor-to-ceiling height
below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
DETERIORATION
The condition or appearance of a building, or any part thereof,
characterized by holes, rot, breaks, crumbling, cracking, peeling,
rusting or other evidence of physical decay, neglect or lack of maintenance.
DWELLING
Any structure designed for use by human occupants for sleeping
and living purposes.
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.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
A Building Inspector of the City of Norwich, or his designated
qualified representative, any officer of the Norwich Police, any professional
firefighter of the Norwich Fire Department, the Electrical Inspector
and Health Department when their assistance is requested by the enforcement
officer.
EXPOSED TO PUBLIC VIEW
Any premises, or any part thereof, or any building, or any
part thereof, which may be lawfully viewed by the public from a sidewalk,
street, alleyway, open-air parking lot or any adjoining or neighboring
premises.
EXTERIOR OF THE PREMISES
Those portions of a building which are exposed to public
view and the open space of any premises outside of any building erected
thereon.
EXTERMINATION
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 enforcement officer.
FIRE HAZARD
Anything or act which increases, or may cause an increase
in, the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than that customarily
recognized as normal by persons in the public service of preventing,
suppressing or extinguishing fires, or which may obstruct, delay or
hinder, or may become the cause of an obstruction, delay or hindrance
to the prevention, suppression or extinguishment of fires, or any
fire hazard identified in these codified ordinances. See also "nuisance."
GARBAGE
The animal or vegetable waste resulting from handling, preparation,
cooking and consumption of food. Accumulations of rubbish, such as
vehicle parts, tires, scrap lumber, construction materials, old appliances,
and leaves and branches, in a property yard are also considered garbage.
See also "refuse" and "rubbish."
HABITABLE ROOM
A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used
for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms,
water closet compartments, laundry, pantries, foyers, or communicating
corridors, closets and storage spaces.
INFESTATION
The presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects,
rodents, or other pests.
NUISANCE
(1)
Any public nuisance known as provided by the statutes of the
state or ordinance of the City;
(2)
Conditions dangerous to human life or detrimental to the health
of persons on or near the premises where the conditions exist and
where the condition is made perilous by active and negligent operation
thereof;
(3)
Unsanitary conditions or anything dangerous to health, in violation
of this Code; and
OCCUPANT
Any individual over one year of age living, sleeping, cooking,
or eating in, or having actual possession of, a dwelling unit or rooming
unit.
OWNER
Any person, agent, 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.
PERSON
Includes any individual, firm, corporation, association,
or partnership.
PLUMBING
Includes all of the following supplied facilities and equipment:
gas pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, garbage disposal units,
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.
PREMISES
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or
structures thereon.
PROPERTY AGENT
(1)
A local contact that the owner must appoint if the property
owner resides outside of Chenango County, New York, to act on behalf
of the property owner if a property maintenance issue arises. The
property agent must be at least 18 years of age, must be a competent
representative of the owner with decision-making authority and reside
in Chenango County, New York.
(2)
Any person who has charge, care or control of a building, structure,
dwelling or premises, or any part thereof, with the knowledge and
consent of the owner.
REFUSE
All putrescent and nonputrescent solid wastes, except body
wastes, including but not limited to garbage, rubbish, ashes, street
cleanings, feces, dead animals and solid market and industrial wastes.
See also "garbage" and "rubbish."
RESIDENTIAL HEATING FACILITIES
Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable
of maintaining a room temperature of 65° F. (18° C.) in all
habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms based on the winter design
dry-bulb temperature for the locality indicated in Table 302.1 of
the Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State. Cooking
appliances shall not be used to provide space heating to meet the
requirements of this definition.
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
used or intended to be used for living and sleeping but not for cooking
or eating purposes.
RUBBISH
Combustible or noncombustible waste materials, except garbage,
and the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal
and other combustible material, paper, rag, cartons, boxes, wood,
excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans,
metals, mineral matter, glass crockery, and dust.
STORY ABOVE GRADE
Any story having its finished floor surface entirely above
grade, except that a basement shall be considered as a story above
grade where the finished surface of the floor above the basement is:
(1)
More than six feet (1,829 mm) above grade plane.
(2)
More than six feet (1,829 mm) above the finished ground level
for more than 50% of the total building perimeter.
(3)
More than 12 feet (3,658 mm) above the finished ground level
at any point.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials, fixed or portable, forming a
construction.
SUPPLIED
Paid for, furnished, or provided by or under the control
of the owner or operator.
TEMPORARY HOUSING
Any tent, trailer, or other structure used for human shelter
which is designated 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 30 consecutive days.