In the construction of the City Code, Charter, ordinances and resolutions, the following rules shall be observed, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
And. The word “and” means in addition to. Example: An applicant must submit a driver’s license and birth certification as means of identification. Interpretation: An applicant must submit both of the two documents. Compare “or” below.
City. The words “the city” or “this city” shall be construed as if the words “of Boynton Beach” followed it and shall extend to and include its several officers, agents and employees.
City Council/Commission. Whenever the words “City Council” are used, they shall be construed to mean the City Commission of the City of Boynton Beach, and all references within the Charter and Code of Ordinances of the City of Boynton Beach to the term “City Council” are henceforth defined as synonymous to the term “City Commission”; and further, that any reference to the term “Councilman” shall be synonymous to the term “Commissioner” as provided for in Ordinance No. 87-4.
Code 1958. Any reference herein to “Code 1958” shall be construed to mean the “Code of Ordinances, City of Boynton Beach, Florida”, adopted October 20, 1958, by Ordinance Number 315, as from time to time amended and supplemented through and including Ordinance Number 77-37, adopted January 3, 1978.
Computation of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this Code, the day of the act, event or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in which event the period shall run until the end of the next day which is neither a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
County. The words “the county” or “this county” shall mean the county of Palm Beach.
Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only may extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.
Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person and thing.
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, and in such cases the words “swear” or “sworn” shall be equivalent to the words “affirm” and “affirmed.”
Or. The word “or” means in the alternative. Example: An applicant must submit a driver’s license or birth certification as means of identification. Interpretation: An applicant need only submit one of the two documents.
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 of a part of such building or land.
Person. The word “person” shall extend and be applied to associations, clubs, societies, firms, partnerships, co-partnerships, and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.
Personal property includes every species of property except real property.
Shall. The word “shall” is mandatory. When used in connection with action required by the City Commission it denotes required and therefore ministerial action not subject to discretionary application.
State. The words “the state” or “this state” shall be construed to mean the State of Florida.
Tense. Words used in the present or past tense include the future as well as the present or past. (Code 1958, § 1-2; Ord. No. 87-4, § 2, 2-3-87; Ord. No. 13-018, § 2, 6-18-13)
State law reference-General statutory definitions and rules of construction, F.S. Ch. 1.