§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.
In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances of the county, the following definitions and rules of construction shall be observed, unless otherwise specifically provided or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the board of supervisors:
Generally. The rules of construction given in the Code of Virginia shall govern, so far as applicable, the construction of all words not defined in this section or elsewhere in this Code.
Board of supervisors; board. Whenever the term "board of supervisors" or "board" is used, it shall be construed to mean the board of supervisors of the County of Franklin.
Code. The term "Code" or "this Code," when used without further qualification, shall mean the Code of the County of Franklin, Virginia, as designated in section 1-1.
Commonwealth; state. The words "commonwealth" and "state" shall mean the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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 Sunday or a legal holiday, that day shall be excluded.
County. The word "county" shall mean the County of Franklin in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Following. The word "following," when used by way of reference to any section or sections in the Code, shall be construed to mean next following that in which such reference is made.
Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only may extend and be applied to females and to corporations as well as to males.
Health officer. The term "health officer" shall mean the legally designated health authority of the state board of health for this county. Such definition shall also apply to the term "health director," "director of public health" or any other term of like import.
Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.
Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things, as well as to one person or thing; and a word importing the plural number only may extend and be applied to one person or thing, as well as to several persons or things.
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.
Occupant. The word "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall mean any person who holds a written or oral lease of, or actually occupies the whole or a part of, such building or land, either alone or with others.
Officers, boards, etc. Whenever reference is made to a particular officer, department, board, commission or other agency, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the County of Franklin, Virginia." A reference to a particular officer shall also be construed as if followed by the words "or his duly authorized representative, deputy or assistant," subject, however, to the provisions of section 15.1-19.5 of the Code of Virginia.
Official time standard. Whenever particular hours are referred to, the time applicable shall be official standard time or daylight saving time, whichever may be in current use in the county.
Or; and. "Or" may be read as "and" and "and" may be read as "or," if the sense so requires.
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 firm, partnership, association of persons, corporation, body politic, organization or any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual.
Police officers. Reference to "police officers" shall include the sheriff and his deputies, state police officers, United States marshals and their deputies and all other law-enforcement officers having authority to make arrests, but shall not include private citizens who may make arrests under the common law for felonies and breaches of the peace committed in their presence.
Preceding. The word "preceding," when used by way of reference to any section or sections in this Code, shall be construed to mean next preceding that in which such reference is made.
Property. The word "property" shall mean real, personal or mixed property.
Public grounds. The words "public grounds" shall mean the parks and all public lands owned by the county and those parts of public places which do not form travelled parts of streets, as defined in this section.
Shall. The word "shall" is mandatory.
Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
State Code. References to the "State Code" or the "Code of Virginia" shall mean the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.
Street; highway; road. The words "street", "highway" and "road" shall include streets, avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the county, and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines.
Swear; sworn. The word "swear" or "sworn" shall be equivalent to the word "affirm" or "affirmed" in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath.
Written; in writing. The words "written" and "in writing" shall include typewriting, printing on paper and any other mode of representing words, letters and figures.
Year. The word "year" shall mean a calendar year.
(Code 1974, § 1-2)
State Law reference— Similar definitions and rules of construction applicable to state law, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.3 et seq.
(Code 1974, § 1-2)
State law reference
Similar definitions and rules of construction applicable to state law, Code of Virginia, § 1-13.3 et seq.