[Ord. #856, § 1300 et seq.; New]
Unless the provisions of the context otherwise require, these general provisions, rules of construction and definitions shall govern the construction of this Code. The provisions of this Code and all proceedings under it are to be construed with a view to effect its objects and to promote justice.
The present tense includes the past and future tenses and the future, the present.
The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.
The singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
Shall is mandatory and may is permissive.
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 be a Sunday, a legal holiday, or a day on which the offices of the City are closed, that day shall be excluded.
Writing and written shall include printing, typewriting and any other mode of communication using paper or similar materials which is in general use, as well as legible handwriting. Writing includes any form or recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. Whenever any notice, report, statement or record is required or authorized by this Code, it shall be made in writing in the English language unless it is expressly provided otherwise.
Effect of Headings. Section and subsection headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any section or subsections hereof.
Reference to Acts or Omissions Within this City. This Code shall refer only to the omission or commission of acts within the territorial limits of the City and to that territory outside of the City over which the City has jurisdiction or control by virtue of the Constitution, or any law, or by reason of ownership or control of property.
Prohibited Acts Include Causing, Permitting, or Suffering. Whenever in this Code any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include causing, permitting, aiding, abetting, suffering, or concealing such act or omission.
Acts by Deputy. Whenever a power is granted to, or a duty is imposed upon a public officer, or employee, the power may be exercised, or the duty may be performed by a deputy of such officer or employee or by a person otherwise duly authorized pursuant to law or ordinance, unless this Code expressly provides otherwise.
Service of Notice. Whenever a notice is required to be given under this Code, unless different provisions herein are otherwise specifically made, such notice may be given either by personal delivery thereof to the person to be notified, or by deposit thereof in the United States mail, in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to such person to be notified, at his last known business or residence address as the same appears in the public records of the City or other records pertaining to the matter to which such notice is directed. Service by mail shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of deposit in the post office.
Proof of Notice. Proof of giving any notice may be made by the certificate of any officer or employee of the City, or by affidavit of any person over the age of 18 years, which shows service in conformity with this Code, or other provisions of law applicable to the subject matter concerned.
Whenever a specific time is used in this Code, it shall mean the prevailing and established time in effect in the State of California during any day in any year.
Any citation of a law or ordinance contained in this Code shall be deemed to refer to such law or ordinance as amended, whether or not such designation is included in the citation.
Chapter shall mean one of the major divisions of the Code identified by an Arabic number and divided by the subject matter.
"Section" shall mean a major subdivision of a Chapter.
"Subsection" shall mean a subdivision of a section, identified by a decimal number.
"Paragraph" shall mean a subdivision under a subsection, identified by an alphabetical letter or Arabic number.