§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.
In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances and resolutions of the city, the following definitions and rules of construction shall apply, unless otherwise specifically provided or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council:
Bond. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient.
Charter. The word "Charter" shall mean the City of Norton Charter of 1988 as it now exists and as it may be amended in the future.
City; municipality. The word "city" or "municipality" shall mean the City of Norton, Virginia.
Code. When the term "Code" or "this Code" is used, without further qualification, it shall mean the "Code of the City of Norton, Virginia," as designated in section 1-1.
Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day. If the last day be a Sunday or a legal holiday, that day shall be excluded.
Council. The term "council" or "city council" shall mean the council of the City of Norton.
County. The word "county" shall be construed as if the words "of Wise, Virginia" followed it.
Court. The word "court" shall mean and include any court vested with appropriate jurisdiction under the Constitution and laws of the commonwealth.
Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.
Health director, etc. The terms "health director," "health officer" and similar terms shall mean the director of the county health department or his authorized agent.
In the city. The words "in the city" shall mean any territory jurisdiction of which, for the exercise of its regulatory power, has been conferred on the city by general or special law.
Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three (3) or more public officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons.
Judge. The word "judge" shall mean and include any judge, associate judge or substitute judge of any court.
Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.
Motor vehicle, etc. The terms "motor vehicle," "semitrailer," "trailer" and "vehicle" shall have the respective meanings assigned to them by section 46.1-1 of the Code of Virginia.
Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one (1) person and thing, and a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one (1) person or thing, as well as to several persons or things.
Oath. The word "oath" shall be construed to include an affirmation in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.
Occupant. The word "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall mean any person who holds a written or oral lease of, or actually occupies the whole or a part of, such building or land, either alone or with others.
Officers, boards, etc. Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, board, commission, department or other agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the City of Norton, Virginia." A reference to a specific officer shall also be construed as if followed by the words "or his duly authorized deputy, assistant, representative or agent," subject, however, to the provisions of section 15.1-19.5 of the Code of Virginia.
Official time standard. Whenever particular hours are referred to, the time applicable shall be official standard time or daylight saving time, whichever may be in current use in the city.
Owner. The word "owner," applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or a part of such building or land.
Person. The word "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.
Preceding; following. The words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.
Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
Signature or subscription includes a mark when a person cannot write.
State; commonwealth. The words "state" and "commonwealth" shall be construed as if the words "of Virginia" followed.
State Code. The term "State Code" or "Code of Virginia" or "Virginia Code" shall mean the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.
Street. The word "street" shall include public avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the city, and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines. It shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council.
Swear; sworn. The word "swear" or "sworn" shall be equivalent to the word "affirm" or "affirmed" in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.
Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
Written or in writing shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
Year. The word "year" shall mean a calendar year and the word "year" alone shall be equivalent to the expression "year of our Lord."
(Code 1975, § 1-2; Ord. of 11-16-82(3), § 4)
State Law reference— Similar definitions and rules of construction applicable to state law, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.3 et seq.
(Code 1975, § 1-2; Ord. of 11-16-82(3), § 4)
State law reference
Similar definitions and rules of construction applicable to state law, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.3 et seq.