For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Also, in the interpretation and construction of this code and of all ordinances and resolutions of the town, the following rules of construction and definitions shall be observed unless otherwise specifically provided or unless they are inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Town Council or the context clearly requires otherwise.
ALLEY. A permanent service right-of-way providing a secondary means of access to abutting properties, which shall be construed to include, but not be limited to, rights-of-way known as Poplar Alley, Center Lane, Cooper’s Alley, and Hill Alley.
BOND. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing with such surety, if any, as the Town Council may direct, shall be sufficient.
CHARTER. The Charter of the town as it now exists or as it may be amended in the future.
CODE. Whenever the term “code” or “this code” is referred to without further qualification, it shall mean the Code of the Town of Occoquan, Virginia, as designated in § 10.01.
CODE OF VIRGINIA. The Code of Virginia of 1950, as now or hereafter amended.
COMPUTATION OF TIME. The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day; and if the last day is Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, that day shall be excluded.
COUNCIL or TOWN COUNCIL. The Council of the Town of Occoquan, Virginia.
COUNTY. The County of Prince William, Virginia.
FOLLOWING. When used by way of reference to any section, shall be construed to mean next following that in which such reference is made.
GENDER. A word importing the masculine gender only may extend and be applied to the feminine and neuter genders as well as to the masculine gender.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. The Health Department of Prince William County or the duly authorized agent of such department.
HEALTH OFFICER. The Health Director of the Prince William County Health Department, or his or her duly authorized agent.
IN THE TOWN. Any territorial jurisdiction for which the exercise of its regulatory power has been conferred on the town by public or private law.
MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
MONTH. A calendar month.
NUMBER. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things, as well as to one person or thing; and a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one person or thing, as well as to several persons or things.
OATH. Includes an affirmation in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substituted for an OATH.
OCCUPANT or TENANT. As applied to a building or land shall mean any person who holds a written or oral lease of or actually occupies the whole or part of such building or land, either alone or with others.
OFFICERS or AGENCIES. Whenever a reference is made to a particular officer, employee, department, board, commission, or agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words “of the Town of Occoquan, Virginia”.
OFFICIAL TIME STANDARD. Whenever particular hours are specified in this code relating to the time within which any act shall or shall not be performed by any person, the time applicable shall be official United States Eastern Standard Time, or Daylight Saving Time, whichever may be in current use in the town.
OWNER. As applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant, or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of such building or land.
PERSON. Includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, company, business, trust, joint venture, organization, or other legal entity, by whatever term customarily known.
PRECEDING. When used by way of reference to any section, shall be construed to mean next preceding that in which such reference is made.
PROPERTY. Includes any real and personal property and any right or interest therein.
PUBLIC GROUNDS. The parks and all public lands owned by the town, and those parts of public places which do not form traveled parts of streets.
SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory.
SIDEWALK. Any portion of a street between the curbline, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent right-of-way or easement line intended for the use of pedestrians.
SIGNATURE, SUBSCRIPTION. Includes a mark when the person cannot write, his or her name being written near it and being witnessed by a person who writes his or her own name as a witness.
STATE, THE STATE, COMMONWEALTH, or THE COMMONWEALTH. The Commonwealth of Virginia.
STREET. Includes avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, bridges, and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares, but not alleys, in the town, and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines.
SWEAR or SWORN. Equivalent to the term AFFIRM or AFFIRMED in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.
TENSE. Words used in the past or present tense shall include the future, as well as the past and present.
TOWN or THE TOWN. The Town of Occoquan, in Prince William County, Virginia.
VA CODE. See CODE OF VIRGINIA.
WRITTEN or IN WRITING. Includes typewriting, printing on paper, and any other mode of representing words, letters, or figures.
YEAR. Unless otherwise expressed, shall be construed to mean a calendar year; and the term “year” alone shall be equivalent to the expression “year of our Lord”.
(1998 Code, § 1-2)