A. 
Word usage.
(1) 
In the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter, all words other than the terms herein specifically defined shall have the meanings implied by their context in this chapter or their ordinarily accepted meanings as generally used; words in the present tense shall include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.
(2) 
Meaning of certain words. Whenever the words "accessory structure," "building," "establishment subject to licensing," "nursing home," "premises" or "structure" are used in this chapter, they shall be construed, unless expressly stated to the contrary, to include the plurals of these words and as if they were followed by the words "or any part thereof." The word "shall" shall be defined as mandatory.
B. 
Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter and of any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto:
APPROVED
As defined and specified by the Director in rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
BOARD
The Board of Appeals.
BUILDING
A combination of materials to form a construction adapted to permanent or continuous occupancy for use for public, institutional, business or storage purposes.
DETERIORATION
The condition of a building or part thereof, characterized by holes, breaks, rot, crumbling, cracking, peeling, rusting or other evidence of physical decay or neglect, lack of maintenance or excessive use.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Division of Zoning and Code Enforcement.
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, or any member thereof, from a sidewalk, street, alleyway, licensed open-air parking lot or from any adjoining or neighboring premises.
EXTERIOR OF THE PREMISES
Open space on the premises outside of any building thereon.
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rodents and vermin by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible material that may serve as their food; by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or by other approved means of pest elimination.
FIRE HAZARD
(1) 
Any device or condition likely to cause fire and which is so situated as to endanger either persons or property.
(2) 
The creation, maintenance or continuance of any physical condition by reason of which there exists a use, accumulation or storage of combustible or explosive material sufficient in amount or so located or in such a manner as to put in jeopardy, in event of ignition, either persons or property.
(3) 
The obstruction to or of fire escapes, ladders which may be used as escape, stairways, aisles, exits, doors, windows, passageways or halls, likely, in the event of fire, to interfere with the operations of the Fire Division or of the safety and ready egress of occupants.
(4) 
The violation of any rule now or hereafter promulgated by the Fire Division or the City of Pawtucket.
FLOOR SPACE
The horizontally projected floor area inside of and between exterior walls or partitions or any combination thereof.
INFESTATION
The presence of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests on the premises which constitute a health hazard.
NUISANCE
(1) 
Any public nuisance known at public law or in equity jurisprudence, or as provided by the statutes of the State of Rhode Island or the ordinances of the City of Pawtucket.
(2) 
Any attractive nuisance which may prove detrimental to the health or safety of children whether in a building, on the premises of a building or upon an unoccupied lot. This includes but is not limited to abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations, abandoned iceboxes, refrigerators, motor vehicles, any structurally unsound fences or structures, lumber, trash, fences, debris or vegetation, such as poison ivy, oak or sumac, which may prove a hazard for inquisitive minors.
(3) 
Physical conditions dangerous to human life or detrimental to the health of persons on or near the premises where the conditions exist.
(4) 
Overcrowding of a room with occupants in violation of this chapter.
(5) 
Insufficient ventilation or illumination in violation of this chapter.
(6) 
Inadequate or insanitary sewage or plumbing facilities in violation of this chapter.
(7) 
Insanitary conditions or anything offensive to the senses or dangerous to health in violation of this chapter.
(8) 
Whatever renders air, food or drink unwholesome or detrimental to the health of human beings.
(9) 
Fire hazards.
OPERATOR
Any person who has charge, care or control of a structure, or a part thereof, whether with or without the knowledge and consent of the owner.
OWNER
Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others, shall have legal or equitable title to any premises, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof, or shall have charge, care or control of any structure, as owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix, trustee, receiver or guardian of the estate, or as a mortgagee in possession regardless of how such possession was obtained. Any person who is a lessee subletting or reassigning any part or all of any structure shall be deemed to be a co-owner with the lessor and shall have joint responsibility over the portion of the premises sublet or assigned by said lessee.
PERSON
Includes any individual, group of individuals, firm, corporation, association or partnership.
PLUMBING
Includes all of the following supplied facilities, equipment and devices: gas pipes, water pipes, toilets, lavatories, sinks, laundry tubs, installed dishwashers, garbage disposal units, installed clothes-washing machines, catch basins, wash basins, bathtubs, shower baths, waste and sewer pipes, cesspools, septic tanks, drainage fields, drains, vents, traps and any other gas burning or water using fixtures and appliances, together with all connections to water, waste and sewer or gas pipes.
PREMISES
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or structures thereon.
PROPER OR PROPERLY
As defined and specified herein or in rules and regulations adopted pursuant hereto; or when not so defined or specified, in accordance with the applicable ordinances of the City of Pawtucket.
RUBBISH
All noncombustible refuse.
STRUCTURE
Combination of any materials, whether fixed or portable, forming a construction, including buildings.
WEATHERING
Deterioration, decay or damage caused by exposure to the elements.
This chapter shall be known as the "Nonresidential Standards Ordinance."
A. 
It is hereby found and declared that:
(1) 
There exist in the City of Pawtucket numerous nonresidential structures and premises which are substandard due to dilapidation, deterioration and disrepair; structural defects; uncleanliness; lack of adequate ventilation, light, sanitary and hot water facilities; occupancy of unfit structures; and other conditions and defects which increase the hazards of illness, disease, fire, accidents and other calamities; and
(2) 
These conditions, singly or in combination, endanger the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people of the City of Pawtucket and give impetus to the development, continuation, extension and aggravation of blighted and substandard conditions.
B. 
It is further declared that the establishment and enforcement of minimum standards for nonresidential structures by the City of Pawtucket is essential to the protection of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare.
A. 
The purpose of this chapter is to:
(1) 
Protect the public health, safety, morals and welfare by establishing minimum standards governing the maintenance, appearance, condition and occupancy of nonresidential premises.
(2) 
Establish minimum standards governing utilities, facilities and other physical components and conditions essential to make the aforesaid facilities fit for occupancy and use.
(3) 
Fix certain responsibilities and duties upon owners and operators and distinct and separate responsibilities and duties upon occupants.
(4) 
Authorize and establish procedures for the inspection of nonresidential premises.
(5) 
Fix penalties for the violations of this chapter.
(6) 
Provide for the right of access across adjoining premises to permit repairs.
(7) 
Provide for the repair, demolition or vacation of premises unfit for occupancy or use.
B. 
This chapter is hereby declared to be remedial and essential for the public interest and it is intended that this chapter be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes as stated herein.
[Amended 7-25-1996 by Ch. No. 2420]
Every nonresidential building and the premises on which it is situated in the City, used or intended to be used for commercial, business or industrial occupancy, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter, whether or not such building shall have been constructed, altered or repaired before or after the enactment of this chapter, and irrespective of any permits or licenses which shall have been issued for the use or occupancy of the building or premises for the construction or repair of the building, or for the installation or repair of equipment or facilities prior to the effective date of this chapter. This chapter establishes minimum standards for the initial and continued occupancy and use of all such buildings, and does not replace or modify standards otherwise established for the construction, repair, alteration or use of the building, equipment or facilities contained herein, except as provided in § 288-81 below. Where there is mixed occupancy, the nonresidential use therein shall be nevertheless regulated by and subject to the provisions of this chapter.