The construction of all ordinances of this town shall be by the following rules, unless that construction is plainly repugnant to the intent of the legislative body or of the context of the same ordinance.
(A) And or or. Either conjunction shall include the other as if written “and/or,” if the sense requires it.
(B) Gender; singular and plural; tenses. 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.
(C) General term. A general term following specific enumeration of terms is not to be limited to the class enumerated unless expressly so limited.
(D) Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language. However, technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to that meaning.
(E) Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done, as provided by law, shall be computed in the manner prescribed by Rule 6 of the State Rules of Civil Procedure as may be amended from time to time.
(G.S. § 1-593)
(F) Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers, unless otherwise expressly declared in the law giving the authority.
(G.S. § 12-3(2))
(1991 Code, § 10.05)
Statutory reference:
Similar statutory rules of construction, see G.S. § 12-3