§ 8-58. Definitions.

In this article:

Basement means the part of a building that is wholly or partly below ground level.

Bathroom means an enclosed space containing one (1) or more bathtubs, showers, or both, and when may also include toilets, lavatories, or fixtures serving similar purposes.

Cellar means a room below ground level in a house, typically used for storing wine or coal.

Departments means the building and community services department designated by the city manager to enforce and administer this article.

Director means the director of the building and community services designated by the city manager to enforce and administer this article and includes representatives, agents, or department employees designated by the director.

Dwelling means a structure or building occupied as a residence.

Floor space means the total area of all habitable space.

Grade means the natural surface of the ground, or surface ground after completion of any change in contour.

Habitable space means the space occupied by one (1) or more persons while living, sleeping, eating, and cooking; excluding kitchenettes, bathrooms, toilet rooms, laundries, pantries, dressing rooms, closets, storage spaces, foyers, hallways, utility rooms, heater rooms, boiler rooms, and basement or cellar recreation rooms.

Kitchen means a space, sixty (60) square feet or more in floor area with a minimum width of five (5) feet, used for cooking or preparation of food.

Kitchenette means a space, less than sixty (60) square feet in floor area, used for cooking or preparation of food.

Operating condition means free of leaks, safe, sanitary, and in good working order.

Owner means the record title holder according to the Ellis County records.

Person means any individual, corporation, organization, partnership, association, or any other legal entity.

Plumbing fixtures means gas pipes, water pipes, toilets, laboratories, sinks, laundry tubs, dishwashers, garbage disposal units, clothes washing machines, catch basins, wash basins, bathtubs, shower baths, sewer pipes, sewage system, septic tanks, drains, vents, traps, and other fuel-burning or water-using fixtures and appliances, together with all connections to pipes.

Premises or property means a lot, plot, or parcel of land, including any structures on the land.

Property manager means a person who for compensation has managing control of real property.

Public nuisance means a premises or structure that:

a.

Is dangerous to the physical health or safety of an occupant or other person; or

b.

Because of violations of this article, its state of disrepair is such that it could cause injury, damage, harm, or inconvenience to the community in the use and enjoyment of property, materially interfering with the proper use or comfort and enjoyment of surrounding property, taking into consideration the nature and use of the properties in the area and the character of the community in which they are situated, which condition would be substantially offensive and annoying to persons of ordinary sensibilities, tastes, and habits living in the community.

Public sewer means a sewer operated by a public authority or public utility and available for public use.

Sanitary means any condition of good order and cleanliness that precludes the probability of disease transmission.

Structure means that which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work, artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner.

( Ord. No. 3095, 2-18-19 )