The construction of all ordinances of this Town shall be by the following rules, unless that construction is plainly repugnant to the intent of the legislative body or of the context of the same ordinance.
(A) AND or OR. Either conjunction shall include the other as if written "and/or," if the sense requires it.
(B) Gender; singular and plural; tenses. Words denoting the masculine gender shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter genders; words in the singular shall include the plural, and words in the plural shall include the singular; the use of a verb in the present tense shall include the future, if applicable.
(C) General term. A general term following specific enumeration of terms is not to be limited to the class enumerated unless expressly so limited.
(D) Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language. However, technical words and phrases and others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to that meaning.
(1989 Code, § 10.06)
Statutory reference:
Rules of statutory construction, see G.S. § 12-3