For the purposes of these regulations, the following rules of construction apply.
(A) Interpretations shall be guided by statements of intent.
(B) The term "this article" shall refer to the "Town of Mocksville Zoning Ordinance".
(C) The words "shall", "must" and "will" are mandatory, implying an obligation or duty to comply with the particular provision.
(D) The word "may" is permissive, except when the context of the particular use is negative, then it is mandatory (e.g., "may not").
(E) The word "should", whether used in the positive or the negative, is a suggested guideline.
(F) References to "days" will always be construed to be business days, excluding weekends and holidays, unless the context of the language clearly indicates otherwise.
(G) For purposes of interpreting this article, certain words, concepts and ideas are defined in § 8-3.10.3. Except as defined herein, all other words used in this article shall have their everyday dictionary definition.
(H) Words used in the present tense include the future tense and words used in the future tense include the present tense.
(I) Words used in the singular number include the plural and words used in the plural number include the singular.
(J) The word "person" includes a firm, association organization, partnership, corporation, trust and company as well as an individual.
(K) The word "lot" includes the word "plot", "parcel" or "tract".
(L) The word "building" includes the word "structure" and the word "structure" includes the word "building".
(M) The words "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.
(N) Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine gender.
(O) The word "street" includes the words road, avenue, place, way, drive, lane, boulevard, highway and any other facility principally designed for motor vehicle traffic, except an alley or an easement solely for utilities or pedestrians.
(P) The terms "Town Board" and "Board of Commissioners" shall mean the Town Board of Commissioners of the Town of Mocksville, North Carolina.
(Q) The term "Planning Board" shall mean the Planning Board of the Town of Mocksville, North Carolina.
(R) The term "Zoning Administrator" shall mean the Zoning Administrator of the town of Mocksville, North Carolina.
(S) The term "Subdivision Administrator" shall mean the Subdivision Administrator of the town of Mocksville, North Carolina.
(T) The term "Manager" or "Town Manager" shall mean the Town Manager of the town of Mocksville, North Carolina.
(U) The term "Board of Adjustment" shall mean the Board of Adjustment of the town of Mocksville, North Carolina".
(V) The term "State" shall mean the state of North Carolina.
(W) Any reference to a section shall mean a section of The Town of Mocksville Zoning Ordinance, unless otherwise specified.
(2003 Code, § 8-3.10.1) (Updated 2009)