In the construction of this code and of all ordinances, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the town council or the context clearly requires otherwise.
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 or Sunday or a legal holiday, that day shall be excluded.
Council. The words "the council" or "council" shall mean the town council of the Town of Valdese.
County. The words "the county" or "county" shall mean the County of Burke, in the State of North Carolina, except as otherwise provided.
Gender. Words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.
Joint authority. All words giving a 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.
Mayor. The words "the mayor" or "mayor" shall mean the mayor of the Town of Valdese.
Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.
Number. Words used in the smgular mclude the plural, and words used in the plural include the singular number.
Oath. The word "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."
Owner. The word "owner" 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. The word "person" shall include a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization and any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual.
Personal property. The words "personal property" include every species of property except real property as herein defined.
Preceding, following. The words "preceding" and "following" shall mean next before and next after respectively.
Property. The word "property" shall include real and personal property.
Real property. The words "real property" shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.
Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curb line and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
Signature, subscription. The words "signa ture" or "subscription" include a mark when the person cannot write.
State. The word "state" shall be construed to mean the State of North Carolina except as otherwise provided.
Street. The word "street" shall mean and include any public way, road, highway, street, avenue, boulevard, parkway, alley, land, viaduct, or bridge and the approaches thereto within the town.
Tenant, occupant. The words "tenant" or "occupant" applied to a building or land shall include any person who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land whether alone or with others.
Time. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
Town. The words "the town" shall mean the Town of Valdese, in the County of Burke and State of North Carolina, except as otherwise provided.
Writing. The words "writing" and "written" shall include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters.
Year. The word "year" shall mean a calendar year except as otherwise provided.