In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances of the city, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Council or the text clearly requires otherwise:
AND, OR.
The word "and" may be read as "or" and the word "or" as "and" where the sense requires it.
BOND.
When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient.
CITY.
The words "the city" shall mean the City of Dillon, in the County of Dillon and the State of South Carolina, except as otherwise provided.
COMPUTATION OF TIME.
The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last. If the last day be Sunday, it shall be excluded.
COUNCIL or CITY COUNCIL.
The words "the Council" or "the City Council" shall mean the City Council of Dillon, South Carolina.
COUNTY.
The word "county" shall be construed to mean the County of Dillon in the State of South Carolina.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY.
Whenever a provision appears in this Code requiring or authorizing the head of a department or other officer of the city to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize such department head or other officer to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to do the required act or perform the required duty unless the terms of the provision specifically designate otherwise.
GENDER.
Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.
IN THE CITY.
The words "in the city" shall mean and include any territory within the corporate limits of the City of Dillon, South Carolina, and the police jurisdiction thereof, and any other territory over which regulatory power has been conferred on the city by general or special act, except as otherwise specified.
INTERPRETATION.
In the interpretations and application of any provision of this Code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirement adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provisions of this Code impose greater restrictions upon the subject matter than any general provisions imposed by this Code, the provisions imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be applicable.
JOINT AUTHORITY.
All words giving joint authority to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons, or officers.
MONTH.
The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.
NUMBER.
Words used in the singular include the plural and the plural shall include the singular number.
OATH; SWEAR, SWORE.
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" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed."
OWNER.
The word "owner" applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of such building or land.
PERSON.
The word "person" shall include a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual.
PERSONAL PROPERTY.
Includes every species of property except real property, as defined in this section.
PRECEDING, FOLLOWING.
The words "preceding" and "following" shall mean next before and next after, respectively.
PROPERTY.
The word "property" shall include lands, tenements, and hereditaments.
ROADWAY.
The word "roadway" shall mean that portion of a street, improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
SHALL.
The word "shall" is mandatory; "may" is discretionary.
SIDEWALK.
The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
SIGNATURE or SUBSCRIPTION.
Includes a mark when the person cannot write.
STATE.
The words "the state" or "this state" shall be construed to mean the State of South Carolina.
STREET.
The word "street" shall include avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the city, and shall mean the entire width thereof between opposed abutting property lines; it shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the City Council.
TENANT
or
OCCUPANT.
The words "tenant" or "occupant" applied to a building or land shall include any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.
TIME.
Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
WRITING.
The words "writing" and "written" shall include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters.
YEAR.
The word "year" shall mean a calendar year.