(A) Rules of interpretation. This code shall be construed by the following rules unless such construction is plainly repugnant to the legislative intent or context of the provision.
(1) Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, ordinary, and usual sense. Technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(2) Words imputing joint authority to three (3) or more persons shall be construed as imputing authority to a majority of such persons, unless otherwise declared in the section giving such authority.
(3) Where a section requires an act to be done which, by law, an agent or deputy may perform in addition to the principal, the performance of the act by an authorized deputy or agent is valid.
(4) Words denoting the masculine gender shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter genders; words in the singular shall include the plural, and words in the plural shall include the singular; the use of a verb in the present tense shall include the future, if applicable.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code of ordinances, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CLERK-TREASURER. The Clerk- Treasurer of the Town of Brownsburg.
COMPUTATION OF TIME. Except when otherwise provided, the time within which an act is required to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day, unless the last day be Sunday or a holiday, in which case it shall also be excluded.
COUNCIL. The Brownsburg Town Council.
COUNTY. Hendricks County.
ET SEQ. is the Latin phrase meaning “and the following.”
HIGHWAY. Includes bridges, roads, and streets, unless otherwise expressly provided.
I.C. shall refer to state law found in the Indiana Code.
LAW. Denotes applicable federal law, the Constitution and statutes of the State of Indiana, the Ordinances of the Town of Brownsburg, and, when appropriate, any and all rules and regulations which may be promulgated thereunder.
MAY is permissive.
MONTH. One (1) calendar month.
MUST and SHALL are both mandatory.
OATH. Includes an affirmation or declaration in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in such cases the words “swear” and “sworn” shall be equivalent to the words “affirm” and “affirmed.”
OWNER. Applied to a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of such building or land.
PERSON. Extends to and includes person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee, or receiver. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms PERSON or WHOEVER as applied to any unincorporated entity shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers or agents thereof.
PERSONAL PROPERTY. Includes money, goods, chattels, things in action, and evidences of debt.
PRECEDING and FOLLOWING. When referring to sections or divisions in this code, refer to the sections or divisions next following or next preceding that in which the words occur, unless some other section is designated.
PROPERTY. Includes real and personal property.
PUBLIC PLACE. Any street or highway, sidewalk, park, cemetery, school yard or open space adjacent thereto and any lake or stream.
REAL PROPERTY. Shall include lands, tenements, and hereditaments.
SIDEWALK. That portion of the street between the curb line and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
SIGNATURE or SUBSCRIPTION. Includes a mark when the person cannot write.
STATE. The State of Indiana.
STREET. All streets, highways, avenues, lanes, alleys, courts, squares, places, curbs, or other public ways in the Town which have been or may hereafter be dedicated and open to public use, or such other public property so designated in any law of this state.
SUBSTANTIAL PROPERTY INTEREST. Any right in real property that may be affected in a substantial way by actions authorized by Planning and Development laws of the State of Indiana, including a fee interest, a life estate, a future interest, a present possessory interest, or an equitable interest of a contract purchaser.
TENANT or OCCUPANT. Applies to a building or land, and shall include any person holding a written or oral lease of, or who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.
TOWN. The Town of Brownsburg, Indiana, or the area within the territorial limits of the Town of Brownsburg, Indiana, and such territory, outside of the Town of Brownsburg over which the Town has jurisdiction or control by virtue of any constitutional or statutory provision.
TOWNSHIP. Brown and Lincoln Townships, as designated.
WRITTEN and IN WRITING. Include printing, lithographing, or other modes of representing words and letters. Where the written signature of a person is required, the terms mean the proper handwriting of the person, or the person's mark.
YEAR. One (1) calendar year, unless otherwise expressly provided.
(I.C. 1-1-4-5(a))