§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.
In the construction of this Code and of all other ordinances of the county, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors or unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
Board of supervisors, board. Whenever the term "board of supervisors," "board" or "governing body" is used, it shall be construed to mean the board of supervisors of the County of King George, Virginia.
Code. Wherever the term "Code" or "this Code" is used without further qualification, it shall mean the Code of the County of King George, Virginia, as designated in section 1-1.
Code of Virginia. References to the "Code of Virginia" shall mean the Code of Virginia as amended. Any reference to an act of the Virginia General Assembly shall be such act as amended.
Computation of time. When an ordinance requires that an act be performed in a prescribed amount of time before a motion or proceeding, the day of such motion or proceeding shall not be counted against the time allowed, but the day on which such act is performed may be counted as part of the time. When ordinance requires that an act be performed within a prescribed amount of time after any event or judgment, the day on which the event or judgment occurred shall not be counted against the time allowed.
County shall be construed as if the words "of King George" followed it.
Gender shall mean a word importing the masculine gender only may extend and be applied to females and to corporations as well as males. The terms "because of sex or gender" or "on the basis of sex or gender" or terms of similar import, when used in reference to discrimination, shall be construed to include, but shall not be limited to, because of or on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. Women affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all purposes as persons not so affected but similar in their abilities or disabilities.
Health officer shall mean the legally designated health authority of the state department of health for this county or his authorized representative.
Highway shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel in the commonwealth, including the streets and alleys, and, for law-enforcement purposes, the entire width between the boundary lines of all private roads or private streets that have been specifically designated "highways" by an ordinance adopted by the board of supervisors of the county, city, or town in which such private roads or streets are located.
Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three or more public officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons.
May. The word "may" is permissive.
Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things, as well as to one person or thing, and a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one 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.
Officers, boards, etc. Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, employee department, board, commission or other agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the County of King George, Virginia." A reference to a particular officer shall also be construed as if followed by the words "or, and his duly authorized deputy, assistant or representative," subject, however, to the provisions of the Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1502.
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 county.
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 include any individual, corporation, partnership, association, company, business, trust, joint venture or other legal entity.
Preceding, following. The words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.
Section numbers. Whenever reference is made to a specific section, e.g. section 1-1, without further qualification, it shall be deemed to refer to that section of this Code.
Shall. The word "shall" is mandatory.
Signature or subscription includes a mark when a person cannot write.
State, commonwealth. The words "the state" or "this state" or "the commonwealth" or "this commonwealth" shall mean the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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; writing; writings; in writing. The words "written," "writing," "writings," and "in writing" shall include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Code of Virginia title 59.1, ch. 42.1 (Code of Virginia § 59.1-479 et seq.) is or is not affixed.
Year. Unless otherwise expressed, the word "year" shall be construed to mean a calendar year; and the word "year" alone shall be equivalent to the expression "year of our Lord."
(Min. of 9-2-2008)
Cross reference— Rules of construction and definitions in state law, Code of Virginia, § 1-202 et seq.
(Min. of 9-2-2008)
Cross reference
Rules of construction and definitions in state law, Code of Virginia, § 1-202 et seq.