§ 18-92. 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:

Applicable codes means any optional housing or abatement standard provided in O.C.G.A. tit. 8, ch. 2, as adopted by ordinance or operation of law, or other property maintenance standards as adopted by ordinance or operation of law, or general nuisance law, relative to the safe use of real property; any fire or life safety code as provided for in O.C.G.A. tit. 25, ch. 2 and any building codes adopted by local ordinance prior to October 1, 1991, or the minimum standard codes provided in O.C.G.A. tit. 8, ch. 2, after October 1, 1991, provided that such building or minimum standard codes for real property improvements shall be deemed to mean those building or minimum standard codes in existence at the time such real property improvements were constructed, unless otherwise provided by law.

Closing means causing a dwelling, building or structure to be vacated and secured against unauthorized entry.

Complete demolition means the removal and legal disposal of the entire structure to include, but not limited to, footings, foundations, floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, utilities, all accessory structures, and other elements as required by the building official.

Drug crime means an act which is a violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2 et seq. known as the "Georgia Controlled Substance Act."

Dwellings, buildings or structures means any building or structure or part thereof used and occupied for human habitation or commercial, industrial or business uses, or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses, improvements and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith and also includes any building or structures of any design. As used in this article, the term "dwellings, buildings or structures" shall not mean or include any farm, any building or structure located on a farm or any agricultural facility or other building or structure used for the production, growing, raising, harvesting, storage or processing of crops, livestock, poultry or other farm products.

Governing authority means the mayor/council of the city.

Interested party means:

(1)

The owner;

(2)

Persons in possession of said property and premises;

(3)

Those parties having an interest in the property as revealed by a certification of title to the property conducted in accordance with the title standards of the state bar;

(4)

Those parties having filed a notice in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 48-3-9; and

(5)

Any other party having an interest in the property whose identity and address are reasonably ascertainable from the records of the municipality or records maintained in the county courthouse or by the clerk of court; provided, however, "interested party" shall not include the holder of the benefit or burden of any easement or right-of-way whose interest is properly recorded which interest shall remain unaffected.

Municipality means the City of Riverdale, Georgia.

Owner means the holder of the title in fee simple and every mortgagee of record.

Partial demolition means the removal and legal disposal of a portion of a structure, specified and approved in writing by the building official.

Public authority means any member of the governing authority, any director of a public housing authority or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of government (municipal, county or state) relating to health, fire, life safety, building regulations, or to other activities concerning dwellings, buildings, or structures, or use of private property within the city.

Public officer means the city manager, his/her designees, law enforcement officers, fire safety officers and code enforcement officers, along with any officer or employee of the city to whom the city manager delegates the authority to exercise the powers prescribed by this article.

Repair means altering or improving a dwelling, building or structure so as to bring the structure into compliance with the applicable codes in the jurisdiction where his property is located and the cleaning or removal of debris, trash and other materials present and accumulated which create a health or safety hazard in or about any dwelling, building or structure.

Resident means any person residing in the jurisdiction where the property is located on or after the date on which the alleged nuisance arose.

( Ord. No. 03-2014, § 1(Exh. A), 5-28-14 )

State law reference

Similar provisions, O.C.G.A. § 41-2-8.