The following words and terms, when used in this article, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Danger or hazard to public health or safety” means a condition, as determined by the County Manager or his designee, in which it is reasonably certain or foreseeable that the healthful or sanitary condition or safety of the general body of people in the County is being or will be reduced or that the healthful or sanitary conditions or safety of persons whom it is in the general County interest to protect is being reduced. Dangers to health or safety may include, by way of illustration and not limitation, trees or parts thereof in danger of falling on the County right-of-way or other public lands, and conditions which may cause disease (including allergic reactions), harbor vermin and other animals, provide shelter or cover for unlawful activities, or be a source for the spread of litter or weeds to the property of others.
“Infestation” means the presence within or around property of any rats.
“Inoperative motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer” means any motor vehicle which is not in operating condition or which, for a period of ninety (90) days or longer, has been partially or totally disassembled by the removal of tires and wheels, the engine, or other essential parts required for operation of the vehicle. An inoperative vehicle shall also be considered a vehicle with an observable condition which indicates a state such that it is economically impractical to make such vehicle operative within a reasonable period of time, or which constitutes a health, fire or safety hazard.
“Occupant” means any person who has possessory rights or exercises the right to possession of any dwelling unit or rooming unit and who has the right to control or exercises control over the physical conditions of such dwelling unit or rooming unit.
“Owner” means any person who, alone or jointly, or severally with others:
(1) Shall hold legal title to the property provided that each title may be less than a fee simple; or
(2) Shall have charge, care, or control of property, dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner, lessee, agent executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian.
“Property” means any land, whether unimproved or improved with buildings or other structures and whether unoccupied or occupied by any person.
“Rodent proofing” means a form of construction which will prevent the ingress or egress of rodents to or from a given building and their access to food, water, or harborage. It consists of the closing and keeping closed every opening in foundations, basements, cellars, exterior and interior walls, ground or first floors, attics, roofs, sidewalk gratings, sidewalk openings, and other places that may be reached and entered by rodents by climbing, burrowing or other methods, and by the use of materials impervious to rodent gnawing and other methods approved by the County Manager.
“Vacant property” means property, whether or not improved, which is not occupied by any person. (2-21-81; 4-24-82; Ord. No. 85-43, 2-1-86; Ord. No 96-7, 5-11-96)