(A) General rule. Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, ordinary and usual sense. However, technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. The governing body of the City of Oxford, North Carolina.
CHARTER. The Charter of the City of Oxford, North Carolina.
CITY. The City of Oxford, North Carolina.
CODE,THIS CODE or THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES. This municipal code, as modified by amendment, revision and adoption of new chapters, articles or sections.
COUNTY. Granville County, North Carolina.
GOVERNOR. The Governor of North Carolina.
JOINT AUTHORITY. All words giving a joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving the authority to a majority of the persons or officers.
MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
MONTH. A calendar month.
OATH. An affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and, in such cases, the words SWEAR and SWORN shall be equivalent to the words AFFIRM and AFFIRMED.
OFFICER, OFFICE, EMPLOYEE, COMMISSION or DEPARTMENT. An officer, office, employee, commission or department of the municipality unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
OWNER. Applied to any property, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, of the whole or a part of the property.
PERSON.
(a) Extends to and includes person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee or receiver.
(b) Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms
PERSON or WHOEVER, as applied to any unincorporated entity, shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers or agents thereof.
PERSONAL PROPERTY. Every species of property, except real property.
PRECEDING or FOLLOWING. Next before or next after, respectively.
PROPERTY. Includes real and personal property.
REAL PROPERTY. Includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.
SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory.
SIDEWALK. Any portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
SIGNATURE or SUBSCRIPTION. Includes a mark when the person cannot write.
STATE. The State of North Carolina.
STREET. Any public way, road, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, parkway, dedicated alley, lane, viaduct, bridge and the approaches thereto within the city and shall mean the entire width of the right-of-way between abutting property lines.
TENANT or OCCUPANT. When applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or a part of the building or land, whether alone or with others.
WRITTEN. Any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
YEAR. A calendar year unless otherwise expressed.