(a) 
The purpose of this article is to protect, preserve and promote the physical and mental health and social well-being of the people, to prevent and control the incidence of communicable diseases, to reduce environmental hazards to health, to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health, and to protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare by legislation which shall be applicable to all dwellings now in existence or hereafter constructed.
(b) 
It is also the purpose of this article to ensure that the quality of housing is adequate for protection of public health, safety and general welfare, including: establishment of minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, and thermal conditions, for safety from fire and accidents, for the use and location and amount of space for human occupancy, and for an adequate level of maintenance; determination of the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants of dwellings; and provision for the administration and enforcement thereof.
(1984 Code, sec. 7-1-1; 1993 Code, sec. 152.001; 2006 Code, sec. 18-221; Ordinance 114, sec. 2, adopted 5/16/78)
(a) 
This article shall apply to all zoning districts, land, properties, structures, and buildings within the city, including all vacant, occupied, residential, nonresidential, improved or unimproved land, properties, structures, and buildings.
(b) 
If other ordinances of the city conflict with this article and the standards and regulations established herein, the stricter standard or regulation shall prevail.
(1984 Code, sec. 7-1-2; 1993 Code, sec. 152.002; 2006 Code, sec. 18-222; Ordinance 114, sec. 3, adopted 5/16/78; Ordinance 417, sec. 3(A), adopted 12/1/97)
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Appropriate authority.
The person within the governmental structure of the corporate unit who is charged with the administration of the appropriate code.
Approved.
Approved by the local or state authority having such appropriate authority.
Building.
Any structure built for the support, shelter and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or movable property of any kind. When subdivided in a manner sufficient to prevent the spread of fire, each portion so subdivided may be deemed a separate building.
Dilapidated.
No longer adequate for the purpose or use for which it was originally intended.
Dormitory.
A building or a group of rooms in a building used for institutional living and sleeping purposes by five or more persons.
Dwelling.
Any enclosed space wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating; provided that temporary housing as hereinafter defined shall not be classified as a dwelling. Industrialized housing and modular construction which conform to nationally accepted industry standards and used or intended for use for living, sleeping, cooking and eating purposes shall be classified as dwellings.
Dwelling unit.
A room or group of rooms located within a dwelling forming a single habitable unit with facilities used or intended to be used by a single family for living, sleeping, cooking and eating purposes.
Egress.
An arrangement of exit facilities to assure a safe means of exit from buildings.
Guest.
An individual who shares a dwelling unit in a nonpermanent status for not more than 30 days.
Hazardous waste.
Toxic, caustic, or flammable materials.
Household.
One or more individuals living together in a single dwelling unit and sharing common living, sleeping, cooking and eating facilities.
Lodging house.
Any building, or portion thereof, containing not more than five guestrooms which are used by not more than five guests where rent is paid in money, goods, labor or otherwise.
Multiple dwelling.
Any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units.
Objectionable, unsightly, or unsanitary matter.
Any matter or object which is offensive to ordinary sensitivities of a person, is not conducive to high aesthetic appearance and quality of a home or neighborhood, or is a health or safety hazard or potential health or safety hazard.
Occupant.
Any individual, over one year in age, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in or having possession of a dwelling unit or a rooming unit; except that in dwelling units a guest shall not be considered an occupant.
Operator.
Any person who has charge, care, control or management of a building, or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let.
Owner.
Any person claiming the ownership or title of real or personal property, including but not limited to:
(1) 
Holder of fee simple title;
(2) 
Holder of life estate;
(3) 
Holder of a leasehold estate for an initial term of five years or more;
(4) 
A buyer in possession, or having right of possession, under a contract or deed;
(5) 
A mortgagee, receiver, executor, or trustee in possession or control, or having right of possession or control, of real property; and
(6) 
Any agent who is responsible for managing, leasing or operation of property.
Person.
Any individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, cooperative or government agency.
Pool.
A permanent swimming pool, spa, hot tub over 18 inches deep if public or semi-public, and three feet deep if private, located at ground level, above ground or below ground, filled or empty.
Premises.
A platted lot or part thereof or unplatted lot or parcel of land or plot of land, either occupied or unoccupied by any dwelling or non-dwelling structure, and includes any such building, accessory structure or other structure thereon.
Proper or properly.
As defined and specified herein or, when not so defined or specified, in accordance with the applicable provisions of this code and ordinances of the city.
Rooming house.
See “Lodging house.”
Screening wall.
Wood, vegetation, or a combination of both, at least six feet in height. The term “screening wall” shall mean:
(1) 
A solid, opaque screening fence or wall at least six feet in height;
(2) 
Vegetation consisting of solid hedgerow or evergreen shrubs, or trees and shrubs, providing full screening from the ground to a minimum of six feet;
(3) 
Any combination of the above; or
(4) 
Any other form of compatible and appropriate screening as approved by the city.
Structure.
Any residential building, nonresidential building, dwelling, condominium, townhouse, apartment unit, detached garage, shed, awning, fence, screening wall, sign, swimming pool, excavation, or any other edifice, erection or material, or any other improvement placed or located on any property within the city.
Supplied.
Paid for, furnished by, provided by, or under the control of the owner, operator or agent.
Temporary housing.
Any tent, trailer, mobile home or any 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 utility system on the premises for more than 30 consecutive days.
(1984 Code, art. 7-2; 1993 Code, sec. 152.003; 2006 Code, sec. 18-223; Ordinance 114, sec. 4, adopted 5/16/78; Ordinance 417, sec. 3(B)–(H), adopted 12/1/97; Ordinance adopting 2015 Code)