Town of Mineral, VA Article I Construction

[Adopted effective 1-1-1982 as §§ 1-2 and 1-5 of the 1982 Code]

§ 1-1 Rules of construction.

In the interpretation and construction of this Code and of all ordinances and resolutions of the Town, the following rules of construction and definitions shall be observed, unless they are inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Council or the context clearly requires otherwise:

A. Bond. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing with such surety, if any, as the Council may direct shall be sufficient.

B. Computation of time.[1] 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.

[1] Editor's Note: For similar state law, see § 1-210, Code of Virginia.

C. Council. The words "Council" or "the Council" shall mean the Council of the Town of Mineral, Virginia.

D. County. The words "county" or "the county" shall mean the County of Louisa in the State of Virginia.

E. Following. The word "following," when used by way of reference to any section, shall be construed to mean next following that in which such reference is made.

F. Gender.[2] A word importing the masculine gender only may extend and be applied to females and to corporations as well as males.

[2] Editor's Note: For similar state law, see § 1-216, Code of Virginia.

G. Health Officer. The term "Health Officer" shall be taken to mean the Director of Public Health of Louisa County or his authorized representative.

H. In the Town. The words "in the Town" shall mean any territory jurisdiction of which for the exercise of its regulatory power has been conferred on the Town by public or private law.

I. May. The word "may" is permissive.

[Added 1-12-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-01]

J. Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.

K. Number.[3] 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.

[3] Editor's Note: For similar state law, see § 1-227, Code of Virginia.

L. Oath.[4] 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.

[4] Editor's Note: For similar state law, see § 1-228, Code of Virginia.

M. Occupant or tenant. The word "occupant" or "tenant," 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.

N. Official time standard. Whenever particular hours are specified in this Code relating to the time within which any act shall or shall not be performed by any person, the time applicable shall be Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever may be in current use in the Town.

O. 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.

P. Person.[5] The word "person" shall include a firm, partnership, association of persons, corporation, organization or any other group acting as a unit.

[5] Editor's Note: For similar state law, see § 1-230, Code of Virginia.

Q. Preceding. The word "preceding," when used by way of reference to any section, shall be construed to mean next preceding that in which such reference is made.

R. Property. The word "property" shall mean real, personal or mixed property.

S. Public grounds. The words "public grounds" shall mean the parks and all public lands owned by the Town and those parts of public places which do not form travelled parts of streets as defined in this section.

T. Shall. The word "shall" shall be mandatory.

U. Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curbline, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.

V. Signature; subscription. The words "signature" and "subscription" shall include a mark when the person cannot write, his name being written near it and being witnessed by a person who writes his own name as a witness.

W. State; commonwealth. The words "the state," "this state," "the commonwealth" and "this commonwealth" shall mean the Commonwealth of Virginia.

[Amended 1-12-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-01]

X. Street. The word "street" shall include avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the Town and shall mean the entire width thereof between abutting property lines. It shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Council.

Y. Swear; sworn.[6] 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.

[6] Editor's Note: For similar state law, see § 1-250, Code of Virginia.

Z. Town. The words "Town" or "the Town" shall mean the Town of Mineral, in the County of Louisa and State of Virginia.

AA. Written; in writing. The words "written" and "in writing" shall include typewriting, printing on paper and any other mode of representing words and letters.

§ 1-2 Catchlines of sections. [1]

The catchlines of the several sections of this Code are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the contents of the section and shall not be deemed or taken to be titles of such sections, nor as any part of the section, nor, unless expressly so provided, shall they be so deemed when any of such sections, including the catchlines, are amended or reenacted.

[1] Editor's Note: For similar state law applicable to statutes, see § 1-217, Code of Virginia.