(A) General. All provisions, terms, phrases, and expressions contained in this Zoning Ordinance shall be construed such that the true intent of the City Council may be fully implemented.
(B) Computation of time. The time in which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day; if the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, that day shall be excluded.
(1) "Day" means a calendar day.
(2) "Month" means a calendar month.
(3) "Year" means a calendar year.
(C) Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision requires a city employee to do some act or perform some duty, it is to be construed to authorize the employee to delegate a subordinate to perform the required act or duty, unless the terms of the provision specify otherwise.
(D) Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but 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 such meaning.
(E) Text, tables, and illustrations. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this ZO and any illustrations, the text shall control. In case of a conflict between the text and a table, the text shall control. In case of a conflict between a table and an illustration, the table shall control.
(F) References to governmental authority. Where this Zoning Ordinance references a local, state, or federal regulation or publication, the reference is to the most recent edition or version, unless otherwise noted. If the referenced document has been repealed and not replaced by another regulation or publication, the requirement of compliance is no longer in effect.
(G) Examples. The use of the terms "including," "such as," or similar language are intended to provide examples, not to be exhaustive lists of all possibilities.
(H) Additional rules of construction.
(1) The terms "shall," "will," or "must" are mandatory and are synonymous. The term "may" is discretionary.
(2) The term "and" indicates that all items being referred to are connected, inclusive, and applicable. The term "or" indicates that one or more of the items being referred to shall apply.
(3) Unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, words used in the present tense include the future tense and vice-versa.
(4) Words used in the plural number include the singular and vice-versa.
(5) "Person" includes an individual, a corporation, a partnership, and an incorporated association of persons such as a club.
(6) The term "building" includes a "structure"; a "building" or "structure" includes any part of the building. A structure is however not necessarily a building.
(7) The term "lot" includes plots and tracts.
(8) The terms "used" or "occupied" as applied to any land or building shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied."
(9) Words not defined in this Zoning Ordinance but defined in any other parts of the city's Code of Ordinances shall be deemed to have the meaning provided in the city's Code of Ordinances. Words not defined in this Zoning Ordinance or in any other part of the city's Code of Ordinances shall have the most appropriate meaning provided in a dictionary in common usage.
(Ord. 15039, passed 4-11-2022)