The following words and terms, when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) Act - Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annotated, Article 9102.
2. (2) Building - Any structure used and intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
3. (3) Commencement of Construction - Placement of engineering stakes, delivery of lumber or other construction materials to the job site, erection of batter boards, formwork or other construction related work.
4. (4) Completion of Construction - That phase of a construction project which results in occupancy or the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
5. (5) Construction Documents - Working drawings and specifications used for construction of a building or facility.
6. (6) Contract Provider - The individual, company, or authority under contract with the department to perform plan reviews, inspections, or both.
7. (7) Designated Agent - An individual designated by the owner to act on the owner's behalf.
8. (8) Facility - All or any portion of buildings, structures, site improvements, complexes, equipment, roads, walks, passageways, parking lots, or other real property.
9. (9) Lessee - with respect to state leased or occupied space, the state agency that enters into a contract with a building owner. In instances of free space or where a written contract is non-existent, reference to the lessee shall mean the occupying state agency.
10. (10) Owner - The person or persons, company, corporation, authority, commission, board, governmental entity, institution or any other unit that holds title to the subject building or facility. For purposes under these rules and the Act, an owner may designate an agent.
11. (11) Religious Organization - An organization that qualifies as a religious organization as provided in Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Tax Code, Title 1, Subtitle C, Chapter 11, §11.20(c).
12. (12) Renovated, Modified or Altered - Any construction activity, including demolition, involving any part or all of a building or facility. Cosmetic work and normal maintenance do not constitute a renovation, modification or alteration.
13. (13) State Agency - A board, commission, department, office, or other agency of State government.
14. (14) Variance Application - The formal process by which the owner petitions the department to rule on the impracticability of applying one or more of the standards or specifications to a building or facility.

Source Note:The provisions of this §68.10 adopted to be effective June 1, 1994, 19 TexReg 3485; amended to be effective December 5, 1999, 24 TexReg 10855; amended to be effective June 26, 2000, 25 TexReg 6122.