Chapter 4 — DEFINITIONS
Patterson Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Patterson
401 Definitions. For the purpose of this code, certain terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in either this chapter or as specified in the 2013 California Building Code as amended and adopted by the City. Where terms are not defined, they shall have their ordinary accepted meanings within the context with which they are used. Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, copyright 2002, shall be considered as providing ordinary accepted meanings. Words in the singular include the plural and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and the feminine the masculine.
BUILDING CODE is the 2013 California Building Code as amended and adopted by the City.
CONGREGATE RESIDENCE is any building or portion thereof which contains facilities for living, sleeping and sanitation, as required by this code, and may include facilities for eating and cooking, for occupancy by other than a family. A congregate residence may be a shelter, convent, monastery, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house but does not include jails, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels or lodging houses.
DWELLING UNIT is a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
EFFICIENCY DWELLING UNIT is a dwelling unit containing only one habitable room and meeting the requirements of Section 1208.4 of The California Building Code as amended and adopted by the City.
HEALTH OFFICER is the legally designated head of the Department of Health of this jurisdiction.
HOT WATER is hot water supplied to plumbing fixtures at a temperature of not less than 110°F.
LODGING HOUSE is any building or portion thereof containing not more than five guest rooms where rent is paid in money, goods, labor or otherwise.
MECHANICAL CODE is the 2013 California Mechanical Code as amended and adopted by the City.
NUISANCE. The following shall be defined as nuisances:
(1) Any public nuisance known at common law or in equity jurisprudence.
(2) Any attractive nuisance which may prove detrimental to children whether in a building, on the premises of a building, or on an unoccupied lot. This includes any abandoned wells, shafts, basements or excavations; abandoned refrigerators and motor vehicles; or any structurally unsound fences or structures; or any lumber, trash, fences, debris or vegetation which may prove a hazard for inquisitive minors.
(3) Whatever is dangerous to human life or is detrimental to health, as determined by the health officer.
(4) Overcrowding a room with occupants.
(5) Insufficient ventilation or illumination.
(6) Inadequate or unsanitary sewage or plumbing facilities.
(7) Uncleanliness, as determined by the health officer.
(8) Whatever renders air, food or drink unwholesome or detrimental to the health of human beings, as determined by the health officer.
PLUMBING CODE is the 2013 California Plumbing Code as amended and adopted by the City.
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