(A) Rules of interpretation. This code shall be construed by the following rules unless such 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 such persons, unless otherwise declared in the section giving such 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. For the purpose of this code of ordinances, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. The Board of County Commissioners.
CLERK. The Clerk of the County.
CODE or CODE OF ORDINANCES. The Howard County Code of ordinances as modified by amendment, revision and adoption of new titles, chapters or sections.
COUNCIL. The County Council.
COUNTY. Howard County, Indiana.
HIGHWAY. Includes bridges, roads and streets, unless otherwise expressly provided.
MAY. The term is permissive.
MONTH. One calendar month.
OWNER. Applied to a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership or joint tenant of the whole or a part of the building or land, either alone or with others.
PERSON. An individual, firm, corporation, association, fiduciary or governmental entity.
PERSONAL PROPERTY. Includes every type of property except real property.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. Means the Police Department of the county, and may also be referred to as the Police Force.
POPULATION. The population according to the most recent federal special or decennial census. This definition applies even if the reference is to the most recent federal decennial census.
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.
PROPERTY. Includes both real and personal property.
REAL PROPERTY. The term includes all lands, tenements and hereditaments.
SHALL. The term is mandatory.
SIDEWALK. That portion of a street between the curb lines of the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
STATE. The State of Indiana.
STREET. Except as may otherwise be provided in the Traffic Code, the entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public as a matter of right.
WRITTEN and IN WRITING. Shall 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.
(`83 Code, § 10.05)
Cross-reference:
State definitions, see I.C. 1-1-4-5