Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes > Chapter 160D > Article 12 - Minimum Housing Codes

• Administrative hearing: A proceeding to gather facts needed to make an administrative decision. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
• Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Charter: As defined in N. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• City: As defined in N. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Determination: A written, final, and binding order, requirement, or determination regarding an administrative decision. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Development: Any of the following:

  a. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102

• Dwelling: Any building, structure, manufactured home, or mobile home, or part thereof, used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Fee simple: Absolute title to property with no limitations or restrictions regarding the person who may inherit it.
• following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
• Governing board: The city council or board of county commissioners. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Grantor: The person who establishes a trust and places property into it.
• in writing: may be construed to include printing, engraving, lithographing, and any other mode of representing words and letters: Provided, that in all cases where a written signature is required by law, the same shall be in a proper handwriting, or in a proper mark. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). ^{Source: OCC}
• Legislative hearing: A hearing to solicit public comment on a proposed legislative decision. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
• Local government: A city or county. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Mortgagee: The person to whom property is mortgaged and who has loaned the money.
• Person: An individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private corporation, trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, interstate body, the State of North Carolina and its agencies and political subdivisions, or other legal entity. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Planning board: Any board or commission established pursuant to N. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Property: All real property subject to land-use regulation by a local government. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
• state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Subdivision: The division of land for the purpose of sale or development as specified in N. See North Carolina General Statutes 160D-102
• Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.