§ 153.030 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND WORDS.
   (A)   Generally. For the purpose of interpreting this chapter, certain words or terms are herein defined. The definitions shall apply to the usage of words throughout this chapter except where specifically exempted. Definitions, as they are to be applied to specific sections of the chapter, are found in §§ 153.121(B) and 153.346.
   (B)   Interpretation of terms and words.
      (1)   Words used in the present tense include the future tense.
      (2)   Words used in the singular number include the plural, and words used in the plural number include the singular, unless the context of the particular usage clearly indicates otherwise.
      (3)   The word PERSON includes a firm, association, organization, partnership, corporation, trust and company as well as an individual.
      (4)   The word LOT includes the word PLOT or PARCEL.
      (5)   The word BUILDING includes the word STRUCTURE.
      (6)   The words SHALL and MUST are always mandatory (and not merely directory). The word MAY is directory and not mandatory.
      (7)   The words USED or OCCUPIED as applied to any land or building shall be construed to include the words INTENDED, ARRANGED, DESIGNED OR DESIGNATED TO BE USED OR OCCUPIED.
      (8)   The word MAP or ZONING MAP or CITY ZONING MAP shall mean the official zoning map of the City of Lincolnton, North Carolina.
      (9)   Any word denoting gender includes the female and the male.
      (10)   The term CITY COUNCIL shall mean the City Council of Lincolnton, North Carolina.
      (11)   The term PLANNING BOARD shall mean the Planning Board of the City of Lincolnton, North Carolina.
      (12)   The term BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT shall mean the Board of Adjustment of the City of Lincolnton, North Carolina.
      (13)   The term LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN shall mean the Lincolnton land development plan adopted by the Lincolnton City Council on July 13, 2003, and any amendments thereto.
      (14)   The term ADMINISTRATOR shall mean the Zoning Administrator of the City of Lincolnton, North Carolina and/or the Subdivision Administrator of the City of Lincolnton, North Carolina. Furthermore, this position may also be referred to as the Unified Development Administrator.
      (15)   The term PLANNING DEPARTMENT shall mean the Planning Department of the City of Lincolnton, North Carolina.
      (16)   The term CITY MANAGER shall mean the City Manager of the City of Lincolnton, North Carolina.
      (17)   The term DEEDS OFFICE shall mean the Office of the Register of Deeds of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
      (18)   The term BUILDING SIDE shall include front, rear, right and left sides unless otherwise noted.
      (19)   Where there is a discrepancy between the text in this chapter and an illustration that is used to depict the text, the text shall prevail.
(Prior UDO, § 4.1)