A. Whenever any word in any section of this city code importing the plural number is used in describing or referring to any matters, parties or persons, any single matter, party or person shall be deemed to be included, although distributive words may not have been used. When any subject matter, party or person is referred to in this city code by words importing the singular number only, or a particular gender, several matters, parties or persons and the opposite gender and bodies corporate shall be deemed to be included; provided, that these rules of construction shall not be applied to any section of this city code which contains any express provision excluding such construction or where the subject matter or context may be repugnant thereto.
B. The word "ordinance" contained in the ordinances of the city has been changed in the content of this city code to "title", "chapter", "section" and/or "subsection" or words of like import for organizational and clarification purposes only. Such change to the city's ordinances is not meant to amend passage and effective dates of such original ordinances. (2002 Code)
Whenever the following words or terms are used in this code, they shall have such meanings herein ascribed to them, unless the context makes such meaning repugnant thereto:
AGENT: A person acting on behalf of another with authority conferred, either expressly or by implication.
CITY OR THIS CITY: The city of Sayre.
CODE: The city code of the city of Sayre, Oklahoma.
COMPUTATION OF TIME: Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done in a certain length of time before any proceeding shall be had, the day on which the notice is given or the act is done shall be counted in computing the time but the day on which the proceeding is to be had shall not be counted.
COUNCIL OR CITY COUNCIL: The city council of the city of Sayre, Oklahoma.
COUNTY OR THIS COUNTY: The county of Beckham, state of Oklahoma.
EMPLOYEES: Whenever reference is made in this code to a city employee by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words "of the city of Sayre".
FEE: A sum of money charged by the city for the carrying on of a business, profession or occupation.
GENDER: A word importing either the masculine or feminine gender only shall extend and be applied to the other gender and to persons, firms, partnerships and corporations as well.
JOINT AUTHORITY: All words giving "joint authority" to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.
LAW: Includes applicable federal law, provisions of the constitution and statutes of the state of Oklahoma, the ordinances of the city, and, when appropriate, any and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
LICENSE: The permission granted for the carrying on of a business, profession or occupation.
MANAGER, BUSINESS MANAGER OR CITY MANAGER: The city manager of the city.
MAYOR: The mayor of the city.
MONTH: A calendar month.
NONTECHNICAL AND TECHNICAL WORDS: Words and phrases which are not specifically defined shall be construed according to the common and accepted 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.
NUISANCE: Anything offensive to the sensibilities of reasonable persons, or any act or activity creating a hazard which threatens the health and welfare of inhabitants of the city, or any activity which by its perpetuation can reasonably be said to have a detrimental effect on the property of a person or persons within the community.
NUMBER: A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person and thing. Words used in the plural number may also include the singular unless a contrary intention plainly appears.
OATH: Shall be construed to include 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".
OCCUPANT: As applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or any part of such building or land whether alone or with others.
OFFENSE: Any act forbidden by any provision of this code or the omission of any act required by the provisions of this code.
OFFICERS: Whenever reference is made in this code to a city officer by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words "of the city of Sayre".
OPERATOR: The person who is in charge of any operation, business or profession.
OR, AND: "Or" may be read "and", and "and" may be read "or", if the sense requires it.
OWNER: As applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or lessee of the whole or of a part of such building or land.
PERSON: Any public or private corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization, government or any other group acting as a unit, as well as a natural person, unless a contrary intention plainly appears.
PRECEDING, FOLLOWING: Next before and next after, respectively.
PROPERTY: Shall include real and personal property.
RETAILER: Unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be understood to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things direct to the consumer.
RIGHT OF WAY: The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway or other property.
STATE OR THIS STATE: The state of Oklahoma.
STATUTORY REFERENCES: References to statutes of the state of Oklahoma as they now are or as they may be amended to be.
STREET: Shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, highways, courts, places, squares, curbs and all other public ways in the city which are dedicated and open to public use.
TENANT: As applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or any part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.
TENSE: Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
WEEK: Seven (7) days.
WHOLESALER: The terms "wholesaler" and "wholesale dealer" as used in this code, unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be understood to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things to persons who purchase for the purpose of resale.
WRITTEN, IN WRITING: May include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters, but when the written signature of any person is required by law to any official or public writing or bond, it shall be in the proper handwriting of such person, or in case such person is unable to write, by such person's proper mark.
YEAR: A calendar year. (1989 Code § 1-102; amd. 2002 Code)
The catchlines of the several sections of the city code are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the content of the section and shall not be deemed or taken to be titles of such sections, nor be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any division or section hereof, nor unless expressly so provided, shall they be so deemed when any of such sections, including the catchlines, are amended or reenacted. (1989 Code § 1-103; amd. 2002 Code)