In
the construction of this Code and of all ordinances, resolutions,
etc., the following definitions and rules of construction shall be
observed, unless it shall be otherwise expressly provided in any Section
or ordinance, or unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the
Board of Aldermen, or unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
CITY
The words "the City" or "this City" shall mean the City of Rock Hill, Missouri.
COMPUTATION OF TIME
The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed
by excluding the first (1st) day and including the last. If the last
day is Sunday it shall be excluded.
COUNTY
The words "the County" shall mean the County
of St. Louis, Missouri.
GENDER
When any subject matter, party or person is described or
referred to by words importing the masculine, females as well as males,
and associations and bodies corporate as well as individuals, shall
be deemed to be included.
JOINT AUTHORITY
Words importing joint authority to three (3) or more persons
shall be construed as authority to a majority of the persons, unless
otherwise declared in the law giving the authority.
NUMBER
When any subject matter, party or person is described or
referred to by words importing the singular number, the plural and
separate matters and persons and bodies corporate shall be deemed
to be included. The plural shall also be deemed to include the singular.
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
May extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate,
and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Includes money, goods, chattels, things in action and evidences
of debt.
PRECEDING, FOLLOWING
When used by way of reference to any Section of the Code,
shall mean the Section next preceding or next following that in which
the reference is made, unless some other Section is expressly designated
in the reference.
PROPERTY
Includes real and personal property.
PUBLIC WAY
The words "public way" shall include any
street, alley, boulevard, parkway, highway, sidewalk or other public
thoroughfare.
REAL PROPERTY
The terms "real property", "premises", "real estate" or "lands" shall
be deemed to be coextensive with lands, tenements and hereditaments.
SHALL, MAY
"Shall" is mandatory. "May" is permissive.
SIDEWALK
The portion of the street between the curb line and the adjacent
property line, intended for the use of pedestrians.
SIGNATURE
Where the signature of any person is required, the proper
handwriting of such person or his/her mark shall be intended.
STATE
The words "the State" or "this State" shall mean the State of Missouri.
STREET
Shall mean and include any public way, highway, street, avenue,
boulevard, parkway, alley or other public thoroughfare, and each of
such words shall include every other of them.
TENANT
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.
WRITTEN and IN WRITING and WRITING WORD FOR WORD
Includes printing, lithographing, or other mode of representing
words and letters, but in all cases where the signature of any person
is required, the proper handwriting of the person, or his/her mark,
is intended.
YEAR
The word "year" shall mean a calendar year,
unless otherwise expressed, and the word "year" shall
be equivalent to the words "year of our Lord".