In the construction of this Code, and other ordinances of the city, the following rules shall be observed, unless such interpretation and construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council:
Charter. The Charter of the City of Fremont.
City. The City of Fremont.
City council. The word “council” or the words “city council” mean the legislative body of the City of Fremont.
Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done, as provided in this Code or in any order issued pursuant to this Code, when expressed in days, shall be computed as prescribed by state statute.
County. The word “county” means the County of Newaygo.
Gender. Words importing masculine gender shall apply to females and to firms, associations, partnerships and corporations.
Joint authority. All words purporting to give 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 other persons unless it is otherwise expressly declared in the Code section, ordinance or resolution granting the authority.
Month. The word “month” means a calendar month.
Number. Words in either the singular or plural numbers shall include either or both numbers and may apply in any instance to a particular person or persons.
Oath; affirmation; sworn; affirmed. The word “oath” shall be construed to include the word “affirmation” in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath; and in like cases the word “sworn” shall be construed to include the word “affirmed.”
Officers. The several officers’ titles mean such officers of the city.
Owner. The word “owner,” applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, land contract vendee, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or of a part of such building or land.
Person. The word “person” includes individuals, firms, joint adventures, partnerships, corporations, clubs and all associations or organizations of natural persons, either incorporated or unincorporated, howsoever operating or named, and whether acting by themselves or by a servant, agent or fiduciary, and includes all legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns thereof.
Preceding; following. The words “preceding” and “following” mean next before and next after, respectively.
Property. The word “property” includes real and personal property.
Public place. The term “public place” means any street, alley, park, cemetery, public building, any place of business or assembly, parking lot, parking area or any other premises open to the public or frequented by the public, whether publicly or privately owned.
Seal. In all cases in which the seal of any court or public office shall be required to be affixed to any paper issuing from such court or office, the word “seal” shall be construed to mean the impression of such seal on such paper alone, as well as the impression of such seal affixed thereto by means of a wafer or wax.
Shall; may. The word “shall” is mandatory; the word “may” is permissive.
Signature; subscription. The words “signature” and “subscription” include a mark when the person cannot write.
State. The State of Michigan.
Sundays; legal holidays. Whenever any act required to be done pursuant to the provisions of this Code or any ordinance falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, that act shall be performed on the next succeeding business day.
Tense. Words used in the present or past tense shall be construed as including the future as well as the present or past.
Time. Whenever time is referred to, it means Eastern Standard Time or the time officially in force in the city.
Week. The word “week” means seven days.
Written; in writing. The words “written” or “in writing” may include any form or reproduction or expression of language.
Year. The word “year” means a calendar year. The word “year” shall be equivalent to the words “year of our Lord.”
For charter provisions as to rules of construction and definitions, see Char., 15.7, 15.12, 15.13.
For state law as to rules of construction for statutes, see M.C.L.A. §§ 8.3 et seq.