§ 1.24.020. Definitions.

A.

"Administrative hearing officer" means the city manager, or any person designated by the city manager to preside over administrative enforcement hearings and administrative appeal hearings held pursuant to this chapter. However, such person shall not preside over any hearing in which such person also serves as enforcement officer.

B.

"Animal" means all nonhuman members of the animal kingdom, including domestic, exotic and livestock species.

C.

"Building" and "structure" mean and include, but are not limited to, any house, garage, carport, duplex, apartment, condominium, mobile home, storage shed, any commercial establishment, warehouse, fence, wall, or other structure affixed to or upon real property, or any assemblage of materials on the private property of another for the purpose of human habitation.

D.

"City" means the area within the territorial city limits of the city of Rohnert Park and all territory outside the city over which the city has jurisdiction by virtue of any constitutional or charter provisions, or any ordinance or law.

E.

"City manager" means the city manager, the assistant city manager, or any person or persons designated by the city manager to act in his or her stead in connection with this chapter.

F.

"Enforcement officer" means the city manager, or any person designated by the city manager to enforce the provisions of this code. Such employees may be employed in any city department.

G.

"Fee" means a charge for services provided or a benefit conferred.

H.

"Fine" means a sum imposed as punishment for an offense.

I.

"Immediate hazard or threat" means the declaration of an intention or the ability to cause harm, danger or risk to the safety of persons or property.

J.

"Inoperative vehicle" means any vehicle that cannot operate safely or legally upon the street or highways of the state and includes any vehicle that does not have current valid registration. With respect to a motor vehicle, in addition to the foregoing, inoperative vehicle means a vehicle that is not then capable of self-propulsion.

K.

"Motor vehicle"/ "Vehicle" shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in California Vehicle Code Sections 415 and 670, as may be amended from time to time.

L.

"Owner" and "property owner" as used in this chapter, and unless otherwise required by the context, shall mean the owner or owners of record of real property as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll of Sonoma County, or as otherwise known to the planning director or such other city official as may be designated by the city manager by virtue of more recent and reliable information.

1.

With regards to animals, an "owner" or "owner/guardian" means any person who keeps or has charge of or provides custody or care to an animal for at least thirty consecutive days. This definition shall exclude veterinarians who are treating or caring for an animal in the regular practice of veterinary medicine as well as the owners or operators of an animal grooming business, kennel or pet shop while engaged in the regular practice of such business. Use of the term "owner/guardian" in place of "owner" shall not imply or bestow any change in legal status or ownership of animals by the use of such term.

M.

"Penalty" means the punishment imposed on a wrongdoer, usually in the form of imprisonment or a fine.

N.

"Person" means any natural person, firm, association, business or organization, corporation, partnership, trust, estate, or any other legal entity recognized by law as the subject of legal rights or duties.

O.

"Property" means any parcel of land which is identified in the secured roll of the Sonoma County Assessor, all residential, commercial and other real property, including, but not limited to, front yards, side yards, backyards, driveways, walkways, alleys and sidewalks, and shall include any building or structure, whether fixed or moveable, located on such property.

P.

"Public nuisance" means any act which is declared to be a nuisance by the provisions of Civil Code Section 3480 of the State of California, or by any other provisions of the laws of the State of California, or of this Municipal Code. In addition, a nuisance is hereby declared to include any violation of this code, and any condition of property which renders any property within the city of Rohnert Park harmful to property or persons who may occupy or go upon such property.

Q.

"Responsible party" means any occupant, lessor, lessee, manager, licensee, or other person having control over a structure or parcel of land. A responsible party may be a property owner.

R.

"Vehicle owner" shall have the same meaning as the legal owner and/or registered owner as those terms are defined in the California Vehicle Code Sections 370 and 505, as may be amended from time to time.

S.

"Violation" means a breach of the law, including but not limited to, a violation of Civil Code Section 3480 by any property owner or any responsible party.

T.

"Visual blight" means any unreasonable or unlawful condition or use of premises or of a building exterior which by reason of its appearance as viewed at ground level from the public right-of-way or from neighboring premises, is detrimental to the surrounding area and the property of others, or is detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of individuals residing within the community.

(Ord. No. 852, § 2.A.(Exh. 1), 12-11-2012)