[R.O. 1996 § 515.400; Ord. No. 4517 § 2, 11-3-2014]
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purposes of this Chapter, have the meanings shown in this Article.
[R.O. 1996 § 515.410; Ord. No. 4517 § 2, 11-3-2014]
Words stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural, and the plural, the singular.
[R.O. 1996 § 515.420; Ord. No. 4517 § 2, 11-3-2014]
Where terms are not defined in this Chapter and are defined in the Building, Fire Prevention, Unified Development Code, Plumbing or Mechanical Codes or elsewhere in the Blue Springs Code of Ordinances, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as in those codes.
[R.O. 1996 § 515.430; Ord. No. 4517 § 2, 11-3-2014]
Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this Chapter, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
[R.O. 1996 § 515.440; Ord. No. 4517 § 2, 11-3-2014]
Whenever the words "dwelling unit," "dwelling," "premises," "building," "rooming unit" or "story" are stated in this Chapter, they shall be construed as through they were followed by the words "or any part thereof."
[R.O. 1996 § 515.450; Ord. No. 4517 § 2, 11-3-2014]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED
Approved by the Code Official.
CODE OFFICIAL
The official who is charged with the administration and enforcement of this Chapter, and/or any duly authorized representatives thereof. Generally, this is the Codes Administrator or their designee.
CONDEMN
To adjudge unfit for occupancy.
DWELLING UNIT
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one (1) or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
EXTERIOR PROPERTY
The open space on the premises and on adjoining property under the control of owners or operators of such premises.
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rats or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that serve as their food; by poison spraying, fumigating, or trapping; or by any other approved pest-elimination methods.
GARBAGE
The animal or vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
IMMINENT HAZARD
A condition which could cause serious or life-threatening injury or death at any time.
INFESTATION
The presence, within or contiguous to a structure or premises, of insects, rats, vermin or other pests.
JUNK
Any metal, glass, paper, rags, wood, discarded automobile or vehicle parts, machinery parts, cloth or other waste or discarded material of any nature or substance whatsoever, or scrap or salvage materials.
LABELED
Devices, equipment, appliances, or materials to which have been affixed a label, seal, symbol or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of the production of the above-labeled items and by whose label the manufacturer attests to compliance with applicable nationally recognized standards.
LET FOR OCCUPANCY or LET
To permit, provide or offer possession or occupancy of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, building, premises or structure by a person who is or is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease, agreement or license, or pursuant to a recorded or unrecorded agreement of contract for the sale of land.
NOXIOUS PLANTS
Rank weeds and noxious plants as defined in Sections 245.290 and 245.300.
NUISANCE or PUBLIC NUISANCE
The following are hereby declared, defined and deemed to be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City and therefore constitute nuisances for purposes of this Chapter, along with those things denominated as nuisances in Chapter 245 and elsewhere in the Blue Springs Code of Ordinances; provided, however, that the following enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
1. 
Any condition or use of private property or of building exteriors which is detrimental to the property of others or which causes or tends to cause substantial diminution in the value of other property in the neighborhood in which such property is located, or offensive annoyances which are discomforting or detrimental to the health or public welfare of individuals or the public. This includes, but is not limited to, the dumping or the depositing on, or the scattering over, the premises of any of the following:
a. 
Abandoned, discarded or unused objects or equipment, such as automobiles, furniture, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, cans or containers;
b. 
Building material, excluding building materials normally used for landscaping, abandoned or stored on property where construction is not in progress and on property not properly zoned for such storage; however, building material shall be allowed to be stored on property for which a valid building permit is currently in effect and may be stored on property on which a project not requiring a permit is in progress. If building materials are stored on property in excess of either the permit period or ninety (90) days from the time of the initial delivery of building materials in the case of projects not requiring a permit, it shall be deemed a nuisance.
2. 
The accumulation upon any private property, lot or parcel of ground, or the discharge thereof upon any public street, alley, sidewalk or other public place, or upon any private property, of urine, liquid waste from stables, swill, water from privy vaults, wastewater, filthy wash water, or any foul or nauseous waste of any kind whatever.
3. 
The accumulation or existence upon any private property, lot or parcel of ground of any putrid or unsound meat, pork, fish, hides, decayed vegetables or food, manure, filthy ash heaps, garbage, offal, rubbish, dirt or filth of any kind which, by its decay or putrefaction, could or would become offensive to human beings.
4. 
The existence of any structures, buildings and exterior property conditions harboring rodents, and structures harboring wildlife through openings in, or deteriorated, roofs, window and door openings, and walls, including, but not limited to, insects and spiders such as bees and wasps, reptiles such as snakes and lizards, birds such as starlings, and mammals such as feral cats, squirrels and raccoons, and similar wildlife, by whatever means, including access to the interior of such structure through openings, not promptly exterminated by approved processes which are not injurious to human health; failure to take proper precautions to eliminate rodent or wildlife harborage and to prevent reinfestation. However, this shall not include wildlife that is inhabiting a property in its natural condition, such as in trees, shrubs, bushes or grass not kept in a condition that is itself in violation of City codes.
5. 
The standing of vehicles which are laden with any foul or nauseous thing, liquid or substance, or any refuse, filth, offal or other trash or rubbish, anywhere in the City for a period of time longer than reasonably necessary for loading and unloading.
6. 
Any unclean, stinking, foul, odorous or filthy drain, ditch, tank or gutter, or any leaking or broken slop, garbage or manure boxes or receptacles of like character.
7. 
Any dirt gathered in cleaning yards, waste of mills or factories, or any rags, damaged merchandise, wet, broken or leaking barrels, casks or boxes, or any materials which are offensive or tend by decay to become putrid or to render the atmosphere impure or unwholesome, found upon any lot or piece of ground.
8. 
Carcasses of animals not buried, destroyed or removed within twelve (12) hours after death.
9. 
Any water accumulating and remaining, continuing or stagnating upon, in or about any lot, tract or piece of ground, or any barrels, buckets, kegs, tubs, cans, swimming pools, spas, hot tubs or vessels of any kind whatsoever caused or permitted to be thrown, to be placed or to remain upon any lot, property or grounds in the City that might, could or would catch, hold, contain or retain water in which mosquitoes or insects, bugs, worms or living creatures might be bred, hatched, raised or allowed to remain or accumulate.
10. 
The erection, continuance or use of any building, room or other place in the City for the exercise of any trade, employment or manufacture, which, by occasioning noxious exhalations, causes offensive odors discomforting, offensive or detrimental to the health of individuals or of the public.
11. 
Private sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas not maintained free from hazardous conditions.
12. 
Accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, not maintained in structurally sound condition and good repair.
13. 
Dead, dying or diseased trees, or portions thereof, that pose a threat to adjoining public or private property.
OCCUPANCY
The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is utilized or occupied.
OCCUPANT
Any individual living or sleeping in a building or having possession of a space within a building.
OPERATOR
Any person who has charge, care or control of a structure or premises which is let or offered for occupancy.
OWNER
Any person, agent, operator, 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
An individual, corporation, partnership or any other group acting as a unit.
PREMISES
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including any structures thereon.
PROPERTY
Any land owned by the City or any other person and located within the City limits, including parks, but not including streets and highways.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
See "nuisance."
RUBBISH
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage; the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible materials, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust and other similar materials.
STRUCTURE
That which is built or constructed, or a portion thereof (examples: houses, buildings, detached buildings, wells, fences, etc.).
TENANT
A person, corporation, partnership or group, whether or not the legal owner of record, occupying a building or portion thereof as a unit.
VENTILATION
The natural or mechanical process of supplying conditioned or unconditioned air to, or removing such air from, any space.
WORKMANLIKE
Executed in a skilled manner, e.g., generally plumb, level, square, in line, undamaged, and without marring adjacent work.
YARD
An open space on the same lot with a structure.