(A) Rules of interpretation. This code shall be construed by the following rules unless the construction is plainly repugnant to the legislative intent or context of the provision.
(1) Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, ordinary, and usual sense. Technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(2) Words imputing joint authority to three or more persons shall be construed as imputing authority to a majority of the persons, unless otherwise declared in the section giving the authority.
(3) Where a section requires an act to be done which, by law, an agent or deputy may perform in addition to the principal, the performance of the act by an authorized deputy or agent is valid.
(4) 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.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code of ordinances, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AND. May be read OR or AND if the sense requires it.
ANOTHER. When used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons but also every other owner of property.
COUNTY. Whitley County, Indiana.
I.C. Refers to the Indiana Code.
KEEPER or PROPRIETOR. Includes all persons, whether acting by themselves or as a servant, agent, or employee.
LAND or REAL ESTATE. Includes rights and easements of incorporeal nature.
MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
MONTH. A calendar month.
OATH. Includes an affirmation.
OWNER. When applied to property, includes any part owner, joint owner, or tenant in common of the whole or part of such property.
PERSON. Extends to and includes person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee, or receiver. 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 thereof.
PERSONAL PROPERTY. Includes all property except real.
PREMISES. As applied to property, includes land and buildings.
PROPERTY. Includes real, personal, mixed estates, and interests.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY. Includes boards of education; the municipal, county, state, or federal government, its officers or any agency thereof; or any duly authorized public official.
PUBLIC PLACE. Includes any street, sidewalk, park, cemetery, school yard, body of water or watercourse, public conveyance, or any other place for the sale of merchandise, public accommodation, or amusement.
REAL PROPERTY. Includes lands, tenements, and hereditaments.
REGISTERED MAIL. Includes certified mail.
SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory.
SIDEWALK. The portion of the street between the curb line and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
STATE. The State of Indiana.
STREET. Includes alleys, avenues, boulevards, lanes, roads, highways, viaducts, and all other public thoroughfares within the town.
SUBCHAPTER. A division of a chapter, designated in this code by an underlined heading in the chapter analysis and a capitalized heading in the body of the chapter, setting apart a group of sections related by the subject matter of the heading. Not all chapters have SUBCHAPTERS.
TENANT or OCCUPANT. As applied to premises, includes any person holding a written or oral lease, or who actually occupies the whole or any part of the premises, alone or with others.
TOWN. The Town of South Whitley, Indiana.
TOWN COUNCIL. The Town Council of the town.
WRITING. Includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
YEAR. A calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.
(Prior Code, § 10.04) (I.C. 1-1-4-1)