Norwich, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 310 § 310-2

The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter. A. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated unless a different meaning is indicated clearly by the context, as used in this Code: ACCESSORY STRUCTURE A structure the use of which is incidental to that of the main building and which is attached thereto or located on the same premises. BASEMENT That portion of a building partly or completely below grade. (See "story above grade.") BUILDING A combination of materials to form a construction, adapted to permanent or continuous occupancy or use for public, institutional, residence, business or storage purposes. CELLAR A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground and having 1/2 or more than 1/2 of its clear floor-to-ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground. DETERIORATION The condition or appearance of a building, or any part thereof, characterized by holes, rot, breaks, crumbling, cracking, peeling, rusting or other evidence of physical decay, neglect or lack of maintenance. DWELLING Any structure designed for use by human occupants for sleeping and living purposes. DWELLING UNIT A single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. ENFORCEMENT OFFICER A Building Inspector of the City of Norwich, or his designated qualified representative, any officer of the Norwich Police, any professional firefighter of the Norwich Fire Department, the Electrical Inspector and Health Department when their assistance is requested by the enforcement officer. 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 from a sidewalk, street, alleyway, open-air parking lot or any adjoining or neighboring premises. EXTERIOR OF THE PREMISES Those portions of a building which are exposed to public view and the open space of any premises outside of any building erected thereon. EXTERMINATION The control and elimination of insects, rodents, or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food; by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping, or by any other recognized and legal pest elimination methods approved by the enforcement officer. FIRE HAZARD Anything or act which increases, or may cause an increase in, the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than that customarily recognized as normal by persons in the public service of preventing, suppressing or extinguishing fires, or which may obstruct, delay or hinder, or may become the cause of an obstruction, delay or hindrance to the prevention, suppression or extinguishment of fires, or any fire hazard identified in these codified ordinances. See also "nuisance." GARBAGE The animal or vegetable waste resulting from handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food. Accumulations of rubbish, such as vehicle parts, tires, scrap lumber, construction materials, old appliances, and leaves and branches, in a property yard are also considered garbage. See also "refuse" and "rubbish." HABITABLE ROOM A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundry, pantries, foyers, or communicating corridors, closets and storage spaces. INFESTATION The presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects, rodents, or other pests. MULTIPLE DWELLING Any dwelling containing more than two dwelling units. NUISANCE (1) Any public nuisance known as provided by the statutes of the state or ordinance of the City; (2) Conditions dangerous to human life or detrimental to the health of persons on or near the premises where the conditions exist and where the condition is made perilous by active and negligent operation thereof; (3) Unsanitary conditions or anything dangerous to health, in violation of this Code; and (4) Fire hazards. OCCUPANT Any individual over one year of age living, sleeping, cooking, or eating in, or having actual possession of, a dwelling unit or rooming unit. OWNER Any person, agent, 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 Includes any individual, firm, corporation, association, or partnership. PLUMBING Includes all of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes-washing machines, catch basins, drains, vents, and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer, or gas lines. PREMISES A lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or structures thereon. PROPERTY AGENT (1) A local contact that the owner must appoint if the property owner resides outside of Chenango County, New York, to act on behalf of the property owner if a property maintenance issue arises. The property agent must be at least 18 years of age, must be a competent representative of the owner with decision-making authority and reside in Chenango County, New York. (2) Any person who has charge, care or control of a building, structure, dwelling or premises, or any part thereof, with the knowledge and consent of the owner. REFUSE All putrescent and nonputrescent solid wastes, except body wastes, including but not limited to garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, feces, dead animals and solid market and industrial wastes. See also "garbage" and "rubbish." RESIDENTIAL HEATING FACILITIES Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 65° F. (18° C.) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms based on the winter design dry-bulb temperature for the locality indicated in Table 302.1 of the Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State. Cooking appliances shall not be used to provide space heating to meet the requirements of this definition. ROOMING HOUSE A building arranged or occupied for lodging, with or without meals, for compensation and not occupied as a one- or two-family dwelling. ROOMING UNIT Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping but not for cooking or eating purposes. RUBBISH Combustible or noncombustible waste materials, except garbage, and the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal and other combustible material, paper, rag, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass crockery, and dust. STORY ABOVE GRADE Any story having its finished floor surface entirely above grade, except that a basement shall be considered as a story above grade where the finished surface of the floor above the basement is: (1) More than six feet (1,829 mm) above grade plane. (2) More than six feet (1,829 mm) above the finished ground level for more than 50% of the total building perimeter. (3) More than 12 feet (3,658 mm) above the finished ground level at any point. STRUCTURE A combination of materials, fixed or portable, forming a construction. SUPPLIED Paid for, furnished, or provided by or under the control of the owner or operator. TEMPORARY HOUSING Any tent, trailer, or other structure used for human shelter which is designated to be transportable and which is not attached to the ground, to another structure, or to any utilities system on the same premises for more than 30 consecutive days. B. Meaning of certain words. Whenever the words "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "rooming house," "rooming unit" and "premises" are used in this chapter they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof."