§ 2-1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.
   In the interpretation and construction of this Code, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless they are inconsistent with the acts of the legislature, decisions of the courts of the state, or the context clearly requires otherwise.
      (1)   Whenever the term ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS shall appear in this Code, it shall mean the administrative officer to the board of county commissioners.
      (2)   The term BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS shall mean the board of county commissioners for Frederick County, Maryland.
      (3)   Wherever the term CLERK in reference to the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners shall appear in the Code, it shall mean the administrative officer to the Board of County Commissioners.
      (4)   Except where otherwise specifically provided, the words THIS CODE shall mean the Code of Public Local Laws of Frederick County, 1979, as established in § 2-1-1 above.
      (5)   In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by law for the doing of any act, the day of the act, event or default after which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be included. The last day of the period so computed is to be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday, in which event, the period runs until the end of the next day, which is neither a Saturday, nor a Sunday, nor a holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven days, immediate Saturdays, Sundays and holidays shall be excluded in the computation. A half holiday shall be considered as other days and not as a holiday.
      (6)   The words COUNTY or THE COUNTY means Frederick County, in the State of Maryland.
      (7)   Words purporting to give a joint authority to three or more public officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or persons.
      (8)   The word MONTH means a calendar month.
      (9)   Words importing the singular number may extend and be applied to several persons or things and words importing the plural number may include the singular.
      (10)   The word OATH shall be deemed to include an affirmation, and the word SWORN shall be construed to include the word AFFIRMED.
      (11)   “Or” may be read “and” and “and” may be read “or,” if the sense requires it.
      (12)   The word OWNER, applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenants by the entireties, tenant in partnership or joint tenant of the whole or a part of such building or land.
      (13)   The word PERSON means any individual, partnership, corporation, joint stock association or any city or state, or any subdivision thereof, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or personal representative thereof.
      (14)   PERSONAL PROPERTY includes every species of property, except real property as defined by this section.
      (15)   The words PRECEDING and FOLLOWING means next before and next after, respectively.
      (16)   The word PROPERTY shall include real and personal property.
      (17)   REAL PROPERTY shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments and shall embrace all chattels real.
      (18)   The words STATE, THE STATE or THIS STATE mean the State of Maryland.
      (19)   The word STREET means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatsoever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public as a matter of right for purposes of vehicular traffic.
      (20)   Words in the present tense include the future.
      (21)   The word WRITTEN and IN WRITING may include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters, but when the written signature of any person is required by law to any official or public writing or bond required by law, it shall be in the proper handwriting of such person, or in case he is unable to write, by his proper mark.
      (22)   The word YEAR means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.
(Code 1959, § 1-2; 1991, Chapter 19, § 1)