§ 18-451. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

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.

Drug crime means an act which is a violation of O.C.G.A. Tit. 16, Ch. 13, Art. 2, known as the "Georgia Controlled Substances 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, therewith and also includes any building or structure 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 board of commissioners of the city.

Graffiti means any inscriptions, words, figures, paintings, or other defacements that are written, marked, etched, scratched, sprayed, drawn, painted, or engraved on or otherwise affixed to any surface of public or private property by means of any aerosol paint container, broad-tipped marker, gum label, paint stick, graffiti stick, etching equipment, brush, or other device capable of scarring or leaving a visible mark on any surface without prior authorization from the owner or occupant of the property.

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 of Georgia;

(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 Milledgeville, Georgia.

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

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, who is authorized to exercise the powers prescribed by article, and any officer or employee of the city to whom he delegates such authority.

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 the 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. O-0909-012, Exh. A, 9-22-2009)