Definitions.

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 7-72

in effect

Sec. 7-72. - Definitions. The following words and terms wherever used and referred to in this article shall have the following respective meanings for the purpose of the article, unless a different meaning clearly appears in the context: Authorized officer. The term "authorized officer" shall be taken to mean the public safety and housing officer or their designee. Dwelling. The word "dwelling" shall be taken to mean any building, structure or part thereof, used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith. Governing body. The term "governing body" shall mean the city council. Living room. The term "living room" shall be taken to mean a room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, or cooking purposes, excluding bathroom, toilet-room, laundries, pantries, foyers or community corridors, closets and storage spaces. Municipality. The word "municipality" shall be taken to mean the city. Occupant. The word "occupant" shall be taken to mean any person(s) living and sleeping, either or both, in a dwelling or rooming unit. Operator. The word "operator" shall be taken to mean any person who has charge, care or control of a building or part thereof in which dwelling units and/or rooming units are let. Owner. The "owner" shall be taken to mean the holder of the title in fee simple and every mortgagee of record. Parties in interest. The term "parties in interest" shall be taken to mean all individuals, associations, corporations and others who have interest of record in a dwelling and any who are in possession thereof. Public authority. The term "public authority" shall be taken to mean any housing authority or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the city or the state relating to health, fire, building regulations, or to other activities concerning dwellings in the city. Public officer. The term "public officer" shall be taken to mean the public safety and housing officer who is authorized by this article to exercise the power prescribed by this article and by S.C. Code 1976, §§ 31-15-10 through 31-15-120, and any amendments thereto. Unsafe equipment. The term "unsafe equipment" shall be taken to mean any boiler, heating equipment, elevator, moving stairway, electrical wiring or device, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises or within the dwelling which is in such disrepair or condition that such equipment is a hazard to life, health, property or safety of the public or occupants of the premises or dwelling. Unsafe dwelling. The term "unsafe dwelling" shall be taken to mean a dwelling that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the dwelling by not providing the minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such dwelling contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible. Where terms are not defined in this article and are defined in the building code as adopted pursuant to state law, they shall have the meanings ascribed to them as in the building code. Where terms are not defined under the provisions of this article or under the provisions of the building code, they shall have ascribed to them their ordinarily accepted meanings or such as the context herein may imply. (Ord. No. 2010-110, § 1, 7-20-10)

Source: City of Charleston, South Carolina, Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/sc/charleston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH7BUBURE_ARTIVHO_DIV1GE_S7-72DEFetched: 11/7/2026