§ 8-153. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Abandoned vehicle shall mean a vehicle which does not have a current license plate or registration for a period of at least ten (10) days.

Code officer shall mean authorized personnel of the Polk County Code Enforcement Division.

Debris shall mean material which is stored externally and is not otherwise covered and shall include without limitation discarded household items, refuse, rubbish, garbage, trash or junk, can, bottle, container, paper, tobacco product, tire, and used, scrap or discarded lumber, pipe, steel, plumbing fixtures, insulation, and other building material.

Distressed vehicle shall mean any vehicle used on public streets or waterways that is incapable of being moved under its power.

Division shall mean the Polk County Building and Codes Division, the division within the Polk County government that is responsible for the enforcement of codes and ordinances of Polk County, or other division designated by the county manager to carry out the provisions of this article.

Improved lot shall mean any property with a building or an erected structure or an incomplete or partially demolished structure.

Land development code shall mean the Polk County Land Development Code.

Lot shall mean any tract or parcel of land.

Junk shall mean any litter, waste materials of any kind, dead or decaying vegetation or vegetative refuse, dead animals, used or unserviceable automobiles, vessel and machinery parts, used and nonfunctional furniture and applicances, and used and nonfunctional tools, equipment, implements or other waste material.

Owner shall mean any and all persons with legal and/or equitable title to real property in Polk County, as their names and addresses are shown upon the records of the Polk County Property Appraiser Office. The use of word owner in the singular shall include the plural when applicable.

Person shall mean any individual, estate, trust, firm, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association or other legal entity.

Property shall mean any tract or parcel of land.

Special magistrate shall mean the Polk County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate that is authorized by the board of county commissioners of Polk County to hear violations of county ordinances and codes.

Unimproved lot shall mean any property without a structure.

Vehicle shall mean any device propelled by power other than human power designed to travel along the ground or water by use of wheels, treads, runners, propellers or other similar means or slides to transport persons or property, or pull machinery, including without limitations, automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, tractor, buggies, wagons, boats and recreational vehicles.

(Ord. No. 08-047, § 4, 9-10-08; Ord. No. 14-006, § 1, 2-4-14)