(A) General rule. Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, or ordinary and usual sense. However, technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CITY. The area within the corporate boundaries of the city as presently established or as amended by ordinance, annexation or other legal actions at a future time. The term CITY when used in this code may also be used to refer to the City Council and its authorized representatives.
CODE, THIS CODE or THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES. This Lakeland Municipal Code, as modified by amendment, revision, and adoption of new titles, chapters, or sections.
COUNCIL. The City Council of the City of Lakeland.
COUNTY. The County of Washington, State of Minnesota.
GOVERNING BODY. The City Council of the City of Lakeland.
MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
MONTH. A calendar month.
OATH. An affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in those cases the words SWEAR and SWORN shall be equivalent to the words AFFIRM and AFFIRMED. All terms shall mean a pledge taken by the person and administered by an individual authorized by state law.
OFFICER, OFFICE, EMPLOYEE, COMMISSION, or DEPARTMENT. An officer, office, employee, commission, or department of this city unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
PERSON. Extends to and includes an individual, person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee, or receiver. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms PERSON or WHOEVER as applied to any unincorporated entity shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers or agents thereof.
PRECEDING or FOLLOWING. Next before or next after, respectively.
PROPERTY. Tangible or intangible, real, personal, or mixed property.
SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory.
SIDEWALK. That portion of the street between the curb line and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians.
SIGNATURE or SUBSCRIPTION. Includes a mark when the person cannot write.
STATE. The State of Minnesota.
STREET. Any public way, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, alley, or other public thoroughfare. Each of these words shall include the others and, if the context permits, shall also include "sidewalks."
(Prior Code, § 103.01)
SUBCHAPTER. A division of a chapter, designated in this code by a heading in the chapter analysis and a capitalized heading in the body of the chapter, setting apart a group of sections related by the subject matter of the heading. Not all chapters have SUBCHAPTERS.
WRITTEN. Any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
YEAR. A calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.
(C) Other definitions. Certain chapters of this code contain other definitions applicable particularly to these chapters. In case of any conflict between the definitions in division (B) of this section and the other definitions, the other definitions shall prevail in the chapters where applicable.
(Prior Code, § 103.02)
(D) Minnesota definitions to apply. Unless clearly in conflict with definitions or other provisions of this code, or otherwise clearly inapplicable, definitions established for the State of Minnesota by statutes or case law shall apply to this municipal code.
(Prior Code, § 103.03)