§ 8.24.010. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

"Building" means any structure, whether public or private, that is adapted for occupancy as a residence, the transaction of business, the rendering of professional services, amusement, the display, sale or storage of goods, wares or merchandise or the performance of work or labor, including office buildings, public buildings, stores, theaters, markets, restaurants, workshops and all other houses, sheds and other structures on the premises used for business purposes.

"Occupant" means the person that has the use of, controls or occupies any business building or any portion thereof, whether owner or tenant. In the case of vacant business buildings or any vacant portion of a business building, the owner, agent or other person having custody of the building shall have the responsibilities of an occupant of a building.

"Owner" means the owner of any building or structure, whether individual, firm, partnership or corporation.

"Rat harborage" means any condition which provides shelter or protection for rats, thus favoring their multiplication and continued existence in, under or outside a structure of any kind.

"Rat-stoppage" means a form of rat-proofing to prevent the ingress of rats into buildings from the exterior or from one building to another. It consists essentially of the closing of all openings in the exterior walls, ground or first floors, basements, roofs and foundations that may be reached by rats from the ground by climbing or by burrowing, with material or equipment impervious to rat-gnawing.

(Prior code § 8-501)