(A) Rules of interpretation. This code shall be construed by the following rules unless the 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 or more persons shall be construed as imputing authority to a majority of the persons, unless otherwise declared in the section giving the 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. Defined terms are set forth in this section in bold, italics, and all-caps. The defined terms appear in this code without this special formatting. The same formatting principle also applies to terms defined in other sections of this code. For the purpose of this code of ordinances, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BOARD. The Board of Commissioners of the County of Elkhart, State of Indiana.
COUNCIL. The Elkhart County Council, State of Indiana.
COUNTY. The County of Elkhart, State of Indiana.
HIGHWAY. Includes any alley, bridge, road and street unless otherwise expressly provided.
MONTH. One calendar month.
PERSON. Any natural person or any business, legal or government entity or association.
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.
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
and
SHERIFF'S OFFICE. When in reference to the Sheriff of Elkhart County, State of Indiana, the terms SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
and
SHERIFF'S OFFICE are interchangeable in this code, having the same meaning.
STATE. The State of Indiana.
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 calendar year, unless otherwise expressly provided.
(C) Hierarchy. This code is organized into titles, chapters, subchapters and sections. Titles are designated with roman numerals. Chapters and sections are designated with arabic numerals. Subchapters are not numbered and are not part of every chapter. Where subchapters are included in a chapter, they are designated in that chapter’s table of contents in centered, bold, italicized font between section groupings.
(I.C. 1-1-4-5) (Prior Code, § 1-1-4-1)