General definitions.

Southaven Code of Ordinances § 4-65

in effect

Sec. 4-65. - General definitions. SECTION 2 GENERAL DEFINITIONS APPROVED. Acceptable to the code official. BLIGHTED PROPERTY. Any structure, premises, or property that displays any of the following conditions set forth in Chapter 3, Section 2 of this Ordinance that evidence such an extreme state of disrepair or lack of maintenance that such condition is visible from a public street. CODE OFFICIAL. The official, as set forth in Chapter 1, Part 2, Section 3.1 and 3.2 of this code, who is charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or any duly authorized representative. CONDEMN. To adjudge unfit for occupancy. DETACHED. When a structural element is physically disconnected from another and that connection is necessary to provide a positive connection. DETERIORATION. To weaken, disintegrate, corrode, rust or decay and lose effectiveness. DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. EXTERIOR PROPERTY. The open space on the premises and on adjoining property under the control of owners or operators of such premises. GARBAGE. Any discarded material resulting from the inhabitance of a residential unit, including animal or vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food. INFESTATION. The presence, within or contiguous to, a structure or premises of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests. INOPERABLE MOTOR VEHICLE. A vehicle which cannot be driven upon the public streets for reason including, but not limited to being unlicensed, wrecked, flat tire(s), abandoned, in a state of disrepair, or incapable of being immediately moved under its own power. OCCUPANT. Any individual living or sleeping in a building, or having possession of a space within a building. OWNER. Any person or corporation having legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court. PARKING LOT. An area utilized for parking cars, excluding single-family dwellings. PERSON. An individual, corporation, partnership or any other group acting as a unit. PEST ELIMINATION. The control and elimination of insects, rodents, or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that serve as their food or water; by other approved pest-elimination methods. PREMISES. A lot, plot or parcel of land, easement or public way, including any structures thereon. RUBBISH. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage; the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible materials, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust and other similar materials. SHRUB. A woody plant smaller than a tree, having multiple permanent stems branching from or near the ground. STRICT LIABILITY OFFENSE. An offense in which the prosecution in a legal proceeding is not required to prove criminal intent as a part of its case. It is enough to prove that the defendant either did an act which was prohibited, or failed to do an act which the defendant was legally required to do. STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed or a portion thereof. TENANT. A person, corporation, partnership or group, whether or not the legal owner of record, occupying a building or portion thereof as a unit. TREE. A woody perennial plant, typically having a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground. WEED. Any grass, annual plant or vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. WORKMANLIKE. Executed in a skilled manner; e.g., generally plumb, level, square, in line, undamaged and without marring adjacent work. YARD. An open space on the same lot with a structure. (Res. of 11-3-15; Res. of 10-3-23(2); Res. of 4-15-25(1))

Source: City of Southaven, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/southaven/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CO_TITIVBUBURE_CH2CO_ARTIIIPRMACO_DIV2DE_S4-65GEDEFetched: 11/1/2026