§ 152.003 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

   The following rules shall apply in the construction and interpretation of this chapter and of the terms used herein:

   (A)   The present tense includes the future tense;

   (B)   The masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter;

   (C)   The singular number includes the plural, and vice versa;

   (D)   The word SHALL is always mandatory; the word MAY is always permissive;

   (E)   The word PERSON includes a partnership, association, firm, trust, club, company, or corporation as well as the individual;

   (F)   The word USED, OCCUPIED, or LOCATED, as applied to any land, building, use, structure, or premises shall be construed to include the words “intended, arranged, or designed to be used, occupied, or located”; and

   (G)   The word LOT shall include the words “plot” and “parcel”.

(1977 Code, § 5-1-3)