For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AND / OR. The word “and” may be read as “or”, and the word “or” may be read as “and”, if the sense requires it.
ANOTHER. When used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons but also every other owner of property.
BOND. Includes an undertaking.
CERTIFIED MAIL. Includes registered mail.
CHILD. Includes child by adoption.
COUNCIL. The Legislative Authority of the municipality.
COUNTY. The county or counties in which the municipality is located.
FIRE CHIEF. Shall include the Chief of the Fire Department if a Fire Department has been established in the municipality, and shall include the Fire Prevention Officer if no Fire Department has been established in the municipality.
IMPRISONED. Shall have the same meaning as in R.C. § 1.05.
INTERNET. The international computer network of both federal and non-federal interoperable packet switched data networks, including the graphical subnetwork known as the World Wide Web.
KEEPER or PROPRIETOR. Includes all persons, whether acting by themselves or as a servant, agent or employee.
LAND or REAL ESTATE. Includes rights and easements of incorporeal nature.
LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY. The Legislative Authority of the municipality.
MAY. Is permissive.
MUNICIPALITY, CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE or MUNICIPAL CORPORATION. When used in this code, shall denote the municipality irrespective of its population or legal classification.
O.A.C. Refers to the Ohio Administrative Code.
OATH. Includes affirmation.
OF UNSOUND MIND. The person lacks the relevant mental capacity.
OWNER. When applied to property, includes any part owner, joint owner or tenant in common of the whole or part of that property.
PERSON. Includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership and association.
PERSONAL PROPERTY. Includes all property except real property.
PLAN OF SEWERAGE, SYSTEM OF SEWERAGE, SEWER, and SEWERS. Includes sewers, sewage disposal works and treatment plants, and sewage pumping stations, together with facilities and appurtenances necessary and proper therefor.
PREMISES. As applied to property, includes land and buildings.
PROPERTY. Includes real, personal, mixed estates, and interests.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY. Includes boards of education; the municipal, county, state or federal government, its officers or an agency thereof; or any duly authorized public official.
PUBLIC PLACE. Includes any street, sidewalk, park, cemetery, school yard, body of water or watercourse, public conveyance, or any other place for the sale of merchandise, public accommodation or amusement.
R.C. Refers to the Ohio Revised Code.
REAL PROPERTY. Includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.
REGISTERED MAIL. Includes certified mail.
SHALL. Is mandatory.
SIDEWALK. That portion of the street between the curb line and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
STATE. The State of Ohio.
STREET. Includes alleys, avenues, boulevards, lanes, roads, highways, viaducts and all other public thoroughfares within the municipality.
SWEAR. Includes affirm.
TENANT or OCCUPANT. As applied to premises, includes any person holding a written or oral lease, or who actually occupies the whole or any part of the premises, alone or with others.
UNDERTAKING. Includes a bond.
WEEK. Seven consecutive days.
WHOEVER. Includes all persons, natural and artificial; partners; principals, agents and employees; and all officials, public or private.
WRITING. Includes printing.
WRITTEN or IN WRITING. The terms include any representation of words, letters, symbols or figures; this provision does not affect any law relating to signatures.
YEAR. Twelve consecutive months.
(R.C. §§ 1.02, 1.05, 1.44, 1.59, 701.01) (Rev. 2024)