In the construction of the ordinances of this municipality, the following rules and definitions shall be observed and applied unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of these ordinances.
(A) Rules of interpretation.
(1) General rule. All words and phrases shall be construed and understood according to the common use and understanding of the language; the technical words and phrases, and such other words and phrases as may have acquired a particular meaning in law, shall be construed, and understood, according to such particular meaning.
(2) Gender - singular and plural. Unless otherwise indicated from the context of the ordinance, all words used in the singular shall include the plural, and all words used in the masculine gender shall extend to, and apply to, the feminine gender.
(3) Tenses. The use of any verb in the present tense shall include the future and past tense when applicable.
(4) Joint authority. 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.
(5) Acts. 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.
(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.
BUSINESS. Includes any trade, profession, calling, activity, operation, or enterprise for which a license is required by any ordinance of this municipality.
CITY. The City of West Haven.
CITY COUNCIL. As used throughout this code, means the legislative body of the City of West Haven.
CITY MARSHAL or MARSHAL. As used in this code, all have the same meaning and may be used interchangeably.
CLERK. The individual appointed to act as the Clerk of the City of West Haven.
CONSOLIDATED FEE SCHEDULE. The schedule of fees adopted by the West Haven City Council setting forth some of the various fees charged by the city.
COUNTY. Weber, Utah.
HIGHWAY or ROAD. Includes public bridges, and may be equivalent to the words “county way,” “county road,” “common road,” and “state road.”
LICENSE. Includes any certificate or license issued by this municipality.
LOCATION. Whenever any act, conduct, or offense is prohibited, or required, and no reference is made to location, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the act, conduct, or offense prohibited, or required, shall be within the boundaries of this municipality.
MONTH. One calendar month.
OFFENSE. Any act, action, or conduct prohibited by this code, or the failure to perform any acts required in this code.
OFFICER or OFFICIALS. As used in this code, means any elected or appointed person employed by the municipality, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
OWNER. Applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant, or lessee of a whole, or part, of such building or land.
PERSON. Includes all individuals, both male and female; any governmental agency; corporation; partnership; association; company; and every other form of organization, whether formed voluntarily or involuntarily.
PRECEDING and FOLLOWING. When referring to sections or divisions in this code, refer to the sections or divisions next following or next preceding that in which the words occur, unless some other section is designated.
PROPERTY. Includes both real and personal property.
STATE. The State of Utah.
STREET. Includes alleys, lanes, courts, boulevards, public ways, public squares, public places, sidewalks, gutters and culverts, crosswalks, and intersections.
TENANT or OCCUPANT. Applied to a building or land, shall apply to any person who occupies all, or any part of, such building or land, either alone or with others.
WEEK. Any seven-day period.
WRITTEN and IN WRITING. Include printing, lithographing, or other modes of representing words and letters. Where the written signature of a person is required, the terms mean the proper handwriting of the person or the person’s mark.
YEAR. One calendar year, unless otherwise expressly provided.
(Ord. 26-2023, passed 1-3-2024)