§ 18-147. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Building means any structure, whether public or private, that is adapted to or used for a multiple-dwelling occupancy, for the transaction of business, for the rendering of professional services, for amusement or for the display, sale or storage of goods, wares, merchandise, articles or equipment. The term "building" includes multiple dwellings, hotels, apartment houses, roominghouses, office buildings, public buildings, stores, theaters, markets, restaurants, grain processors, abattoirs, warehouses, workshops, garages, outhouses, sheds, barns and other structures or premises used as an accessory to dwelling or business purposes.

Food and foodstuffs mean and include, besides human food, grain and other feed for animals and fowl.

Occupant means the individual, partnership, corporation or public agency who or which owns, has the use of or occupies any building or part or fraction thereof, whether he, she or it is the actual owner or a tenant. In the case of vacant buildings or property or any vacant portion of a building or property, the owner or lessee shall have the responsibility of any occupant of a building.

Owner means the actual owner of the building, whether an individual, partnership, corporation or public agency.

Rat control means the distribution of rat poison, the setting of rat traps or such other methods as may be approved by the health officer.

Rat harborage means any condition under which rats may find shelter or protection.

Ratproof means a form of ratproofing that will prevent a rat from entering or leaving a given space or building or gaining access to food, water or harborage in occupied or unoccupied premises or on vacant land. It consists of the closing and keeping closed of every opening in all foundations, basements, cellars, exterior walls, ground or first floors, roofs, sidewalk gratings, sidewalk openings and other places that may be reached and entered by rats by climbing, burrowing or otherwise, and includes keeping all premises free of any condition likely to encourage rat harborage.

(Code 1989, § 1860.01; Ord. No. 688, 11-18-1986)