In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances of the county, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Council or the context clearly requires otherwise.
And, or. The word “and” may be read as “or”, and the word “or” may be read as “and”, where the sense requires it.
Bond. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing shall be sufficient.
Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day, and if the last day is Sunday or a legal holiday, that shall be excluded.
Council; County Council. The Council of the County of Greenville, South Carolina.
County. The County of Greenville in the State of South Carolina, unless otherwise provided.
Gender. Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.
Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to 3 or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.
May; Shall. The word may is permissive; the word shall is mandatory.
Month. A calendar month.
Number. Words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural includes the singular number.
Oath; Swear, Sworn. 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.
Official time standard. Whenever certain hours are named, they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the county.
Owner. Applied to 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. 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 herein defined.
Preceding; following. Next before and next after, respectively.
Property. Includes real and personal property.
Real property and real estate. Include lands, tenements and hereditaments.
Road; highway. The words road and highway shall have the same meaning as the word street, as such word is defined in this section.
Sidewalk. 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, excluding parkways.
Signature or subscription. 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. Any public way, road, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct, bridge and the approaches thereto within the county, and shall mean the entire width thereof between opposed abutting property lines; it shall be construed to include a footpath or sidewalk, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the County Council.
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.
Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
Writing; written. Include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters.
Year. A calendar year.
Statutory reference:
Similar state law, see S.C. Code §§ 2-7-30, 15-1-30, 15-1-50
Tense, see S.C. Code § 2-7-30