Unless otherwise expressly stated, for the purpose of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

     Agent of the owner. A person who is authorized to act on behalf of the owner, as herein defined, with regard to repairs and maintenance of a dwelling or rooming unit.

     Apartment house. Any dwelling or combination of related dwellings having the same owner, located in a contiguous area, and operated as a single business entity, in which the operator provides for lease three (3) or more dwelling units.

     Census tracts. Those areas established as census tracts for the 1970 Census of Population and Housing in the City of Columbia by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.

     Contiguous area. Any lots, plots or parcels of land which actually touch each other or which are a part of the same city block and abut upon a common public street or alleyway.

     Director. The director of the department of public works of the city, or his authorized representative.

     Dwelling. Any building, mobile home, or other structure which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for residential occupancy, but this word shall not include temporary housing.

     Dwelling unit. One or more rooms arranged for the use of one or more individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit, with cooking, living, sanitary and sleeping facilities.

     Existing apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit. A dwelling or dwellings operated as an apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling, or single rental unit on the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived.

     New apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit. A dwelling constructed or operated as an apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit after the effective date of this ordinance which was not operated as an apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling, or single rental unit on the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived.

     Occupant. Any person over one year of age (including owner or operator) living in a dwelling or rooming unit or having actual possession of such dwelling or rooming unit.

     Office of the manager. An office located on the premises for which a certificate of compliance is issued or sought, where an agent of the owner may be contacted on a regular basis.

     Operate, operating and operation. Owning or acting as lessor or manager of any apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit which is leased or rented in the city. Proof of any of the following acts shall be prima facie evidence of "operation":

    (1)    Being owner of an apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit leased or rented for residential purposes; or

    (2)    Acting as agent for the owner of an apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit as herein defined; or

    (3)    Making application for a business license or certificate of compliance under the provisions of this article for an apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit; or

    (4)    Signing of a lease or document to lease a dwelling or rooming unit in an apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit on behalf of or as lessor or landlord, provided that the act of subleasing of a dwelling or rooming unit shall not constitute operation, absent proof of other acts constituting operating within the meaning of this article;

        except on a showing by the person with respect to subparagraphs (2), (3) or (4):

        a.    That he is not authorized to act on behalf of the owner with regard to repairs and maintenance of a dwelling or rooming unit; and

        b.    Of the identity or name of the person who is authorized to act on behalf of the owner with regard to repairs and maintenance of a dwelling or rooming unit.

     Operator. The owner and any person operating an apartment, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit in the city.

     Owner. The owner or owners or the mortgagee in possession of the apartment house, rooming house, two-family dwelling or single rental unit, as the case may be.

     Premises. A lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or structures thereon.

     Rooming house. A dwelling consisting of three (3) or more rooming units leased separately, none of which include cooking facilities, but which may include a common kitchen to be shared by three (3) or more occupants. This definition shall also include the housing provided by fraternities and sororities organized for students of any college or university; however, a hotel, motor hotel or motel licensed under Missouri statute shall not, be deemed a rooming house for purposes of this article.

     Rooming unit. Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes.

     Single rental unit. Any dwelling unit existing in a dwelling in which the operator thereof provides, for lease, up to but not to exceed one dwelling unit.

     Temporary housing. Any tent, trailer or other structure used for human shelter which is designed to be transportable and which is not attached to the ground, to another structure, or to any utilities system on the same premises for more than thirty (30) consecutive days.

     Two-family dwelling. Any dwelling or combination of related dwellings having the same owner, located in a contiguous area, and operated as a single business entity, in which the operator provides for lease two (2) dwelling units.

(Code 1964, § 11.1110; Ord. No. 12032, § 1, 10-3-88)

     Cross reference(s)--Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.