441.500. Definitions.
Definitions.
441.500. As used in sections 441.500 to 441.643, the following termsmean:
(1) "Abatement", the removal or correction, including demolition, ofany condition at a property that violates the provisions of any dulyenacted building or housing code, as well as the making of such otherimprovements or corrections as are needed to effect the rehabilitation ofthe property or structure, including the closing or physical securing ofthe structure;
(2) "Agent", a person authorized by an owner to act for him;
(3) "Code enforcement agency", the official, agency, or board thathas been delegated the responsibility for enforcing the housing code by thegoverning body;
(4) "Community", any county or municipality;
(5) "County", any county in the state;
(6) "Dwelling unit", premises or part thereof occupied, used, or heldout for use and occupancy as a place of abode for human beings, whetheroccupied or vacant;
(7) "Governing body", the board, body or persons in which the powersof a community are vested;
(8) "Housing code", a local building, fire, health, propertymaintenance, nuisance or other ordinance which contains standardsregulating the condition or maintenance of residential buildings;
(9) "Local housing corporation", a not-for-profit corporationorganized pursuant to the laws of the state of Missouri for the purpose ofpromoting housing development and conservation within a specified area of amunicipality or an unincorporated area;
(10) "Municipality", any incorporated city, town, or village;
(11) "Neighborhood association", any group of persons organized forthe sole purpose of improvement of a particular geographic area havingspecific boundaries within a municipality, provided that such associationis recognized by the municipality as the sole association for such purposewithin such geographic area;
(12) "Notice of deficiency", a notice or other order issued by thecode enforcement agency and requiring the elimination or removal ofdeficiencies found to exist under the housing code;
(13) "Nuisance", a violation of provisions of the housing codeapplying to the maintenance of the buildings or dwellings which the codeofficial in the exercise of reasonable discretion believes constitutes athreat to the public health, safety or welfare;
(14) "Occupant", any person occupying a dwelling unit as his or herplace of residence, whether or not that person is occupying the dwellingunit as a tenant from month to month or under a written lease, undertakingor other agreement;
(15) "Owner", the record owner or owners, and the beneficial owner orowners when other than the record owner, of the freehold of the premises orlesser estate therein, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee ofrents, receiver, personal representative, trustee, lessee, agent, or anyother person in control of a dwelling unit;
(16) "Person", any individual, corporation, association, partnership,or other entity.
(L. 1969 p. 537 § 1, A.L. 1992 H.B. 1434 & 1490, A.L. 1993 S.B. 376, A.L. 1998 H.B. 977 & 1608, A.L. 2001 H.B. 133)