(1) 
The definitions in LMC § 16.32.046 through § 16.32.230 are provided for the sole purpose of proper interpretation and administration of this chapter.
(2) 
Words used in the singular include the plural and words used in the plural include the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine gender and words used in the feminine gender include the masculine gender.
(3) 
Definitions used but not specifically defined in this chapter shall have the meaning defined in the International Building Code. Where terms, phrases and words are not defined, they shall have their ordinary accepted meanings within the context with which they are used. Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, copyright 1986, shall be considered as providing ordinarily accepted meanings.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Abate"
shall mean to put an end to, or otherwise diminish the intensity of, any condition causing a dwelling, structure, building, and premises to be dangerous or unfit for occupancy and/or use.
(Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Apartment"
means a dwelling unit in an apartment house as defined in this chapter.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Apartment house"
means any building, or portion thereof, which is designed, built, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or which is occupied as the home or residence of three or more families living independently of each other in dwelling units as defined in this chapter.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Approved"
as applied to a material, device, condition or mode of construction or installation means approved by the building official under the provisions of this chapter or recommendations of nationally recognized technical organizations or laboratories such as the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the U.S. Bureau of Standards, the National Board of Fire Underwriters, the American Standards Assn., Inc., or the American Gas Association Laboratories.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Area,"
for the sole purpose of defining this term in LMC § 16.32.067 and § 16.32.197, shall mean a section of the city of Longview as identified by resolution of the city council of the city of Longview as needing revitalization.
(Ord. 3042 § 1, 2008; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Basement"
means that portion of a building between floor and ceiling, which is partly below and partly above grade (as defined in this chapter), but so located that the vertical distance from grade to the floor below is less than the vertical distance from grade to ceiling. (See definition of "Story," LMC § 16.32.200.)
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Blighted area"
shall mean 25 percent of an area which, by reason of the substantial physical dilapidation, deterioration, defective construction, material, and arrangement and/or age or obsolescence of building or improvements, whether residential or nonresidential, inadequate provision for ventilation, light, proper sanitary facilities, or open spaces as determined by competent appraisers on the basis of an examination of the building standards of the municipality; inappropriate uses of land or buildings; existence of overcrowding of buildings or structures; defective or inadequate street layout; faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility or usefulness; excessive land coverage; insanitary or unsafe conditions; deterioration of site; existence of hazardous soils, substances, or materials; diversity of ownership; tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land; defective or unusual conditions of title; improper subdivision or obsolete platting; existence of persistent and high levels of unemployment or poverty within the area; or the existence of conditions that endanger life or property by fire or other causes, or any combination of such factors, is conducive to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency or crime; substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of the municipality or its environs, or retards the provision of housing accommodations; constitutes an economic or social liability; and/or is detrimental, or constitutes a menace, to the public health, safety, welfare, or morals in its present condition and use.
(Ord. 3042 § 1, 2008; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Building"
means any structure built for the support, shelter, or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind, including all sanitary sewer lines connected thereto and not owned by the city.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 2265 § 1, 1986; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Cellar"
means that portion of a building between the floor and ceiling which is wholly or partly below grade (as defined in this chapter) and so located that the vertical distance from grade to the floor below is equal to or greater than the vertical distance from grade to ceiling. (See definition of "Story," LMC § 16.32.200.)
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Commission"
means the building appeals commission as herein provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Court"
means an open, unoccupied space, bounded on two or more sides by the walls of a building. An inner court is a court entirely within the exterior walls of a building or buildings. All other courts are outer courts.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Dwelling"
means any building or any portion thereof which is not an "apartment house," a "lodginghouse," or a "hotel" as defined in this chapter, which contains one or two "dwelling units" or "guest rooms," used, intended, or designed to be built, used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or which are occupied for living purposes.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Dwelling unit"
means two or more habitable rooms which are occupied or which are intended or designed to be occupied by one family with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Exit"
means a continuous and unobstructed means of egress to a public way, and shall include intervening doorways, corridors, ramps, stairways, smoke-proof enclosures, horizontal exits, exterior courts, and yards.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Family"
means an individual or two or more persons related by blood or marriage, or a group of not more than five persons (excluding servants) who need not be related by blood or marriage, living together in a dwelling unit.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Grade"
(ground level) means the average of the finished ground level at the center of all walls of a building. In case walls are parallel to and within five feet of a sidewalk, the aboveground level shall be measured at the sidewalk.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Guest"
means any person hiring or occupying a room for living or sleeping purposes.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Guest room"
means any room or rooms used, or intended to be used, by a guest for sleeping purposes. Every 100 square feet of superficial floor area in a dormitory is a guest room.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Habitable room"
means any room meeting the requirements of this chapter for sleeping, living, cooking or eating purposes excluding such enclosed places as closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, service rooms, connecting corridors, laundries, unfinished attics, foyers, storage spaces, cellars, utility rooms and similar spaces.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Hotel"
means any building containing six or more guest rooms intended or designed to be used, or which are used, rented or hired out to be occupied, or which are occupied for sleeping purposes by guests, whether rent is paid in money, goods, labor, or otherwise. It does not include any jail, hospital, asylum, sanitarium, orphanage, prison, detention home or other institution in which human beings are housed and detained under legal restraint.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Hot water"
means water at a temperature of not less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Kitchen"
means a room used, or designed to be used, for the preparation of food.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Lodginghouse"
means any building or portion thereof containing not more than five guest rooms which are used by not more than five guests where rent is paid in money, goods, labor or otherwise. A lodginghouse shall comply with all requirements of this chapter for dwellings.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Occupied space"
means the total area of all buildings or structures on any lot or parcel of ground projected on a horizontal plane excluding permitted projections as allowed by LMC Title 19.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Owner"
includes the owner or owners of the freehold of the premises or any lesser estate therein, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, an assignee for rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, or other person, firm or corporation in control of a building.
"Owner"
shall also mean the owner or taxpayer shown in the records of the Cowlitz County assessor-treasurer, recorded with the Cowlitz County auditor, or as otherwise known to the city of Longview, and shall include any manager or other representative of the owner, or other person with responsibility for or control over the structure or premises.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Person"
shall mean and include any individual, business, corporation, organization, or entity.
(Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
A lot, plot or parcel of land, easement or public way, including any structures thereon.
(Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
For the definition of "rooming house," see "Lodginghouse," LMC § 16.32.175.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Service room"
means any room used for storage, bath or utility purposes, and not included in the definition of habitable rooms.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Slum"
shall mean 25 percent of any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health and morals.
(Ord. 3042 § 1, 2008; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Story"
means that portion of the building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above, except that the topmost story shall be that portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above. If the finished floor level directly above a basement or cellar is more than six feet above grade such basement or cellar shall be considered a story.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Substandard building"
means any dwelling, building, structure, or portion thereof, or the premises on/in which there exists any of the conditions listed in LMC § 16.32.465 through § 16.32.530 which are dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the occupants or use of such dwelling, building, structure, or premises, the occupants of neighboring dwellings, or other residents of such municipality. Such conditions may include the following, without limitations and including those conditions listed in RCW 35.80.010 and 35.80.030: defects therein increasing the hazards of fire or accident, inadequate sanitary facilities, dilapidation, disrepair, structural defects, uncleanliness, overcrowding, or inadequate drainage.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Superficial floor area"
means the net floor area within the enclosing walls of the room in which the ceiling height is not less than five feet, excluding equipment such as wardrobes, cabinets, kitchen units, or fixtures.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Used"
means used or designed or intended to be used.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Vent shaft"
means a court used only to ventilate or light a water closet, bath, toilet, or utility room or other service room.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Window"
means a glazed opening, including glazed doors, which open upon a yard, court, or recess from a court, or a vent shaft open and unobstructed to the sky.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)
"Yard"
means an open, unoccupied space, other than a court, unobstructed from the ground to the sky, except where specifically provided by this chapter, on the lot which a building is situated.
(Ord. 1131 § 1, 1962; Ord. 1391 § 1, 1968; Ord. 3325 § 2, 2017; Ord. 3396 § 2, 2019)