(A) General rule. Words and phrases shall be construed according to rules of grammar and according to their common and approved usage; but technical words and phrases and such other as have acquired a special meaning, or are defined in this code, are construed according to such special meaning or their definition.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CITY, MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, or MUNICIPALITY. The City of Apple Valley, Minnesota.
CODE, THIS CODE or THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES. This municipal code as modified by amendment, revision and adoption of new titles, chapters or sections.
COUNTY. Dakota County, Minnesota.
MAY. “May” is permissive.
MONTH. A calendar month.
OATH. Oath includes “affirmation” in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath; and in like cases, “swear” includes “affirm” and “sworn,” “affirmed.”
OFFICER, OFFICE, EMPLOYEE, COMMISSION or DEPARTMENT. An officer, office, employee, commission or department of this municipality unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
PERSON. Extends to and includes an individual, corporation, partnership, or other unincorporated associations. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms PERSON or WHOEVER as applied to any unincorporated association shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers or agents thereof.
PRECEDING or FOLLOWING. Next before or next after, respectively.
SHALL. “Shall” is mandatory.
SIGNATURE. The signature of a person (a) must be in the handwriting of the person or, (b) if the person is unable to write, (i) the person’s mark or name written by another at the request and in the presence of the person or, (ii) by a rubber stamp facsimile of the person’s actual signature, mark, or a signature of the person’s name or mark made by another and adopted for all purposes of signature by the person with a motor disability and affixed in the person’s presence.
STATE. The State of Minnesota.
SUBCHAPTER. A division of a chapter, designated in this code by a heading in the chapter analysis and a capitalized heading in the body of the chapter, setting apart a group of sections related by the subject matter of the heading. Not all chapters have subchapters.
WRITING or WRITTEN. Includes any mode of representing words and letters.
YEAR. A calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.