In the construction of this code and of all ordinances and resolutions passed by the city council, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council:
Generally. Words shall be construed in their common and usual significance unless the contrary is clearly indicated.
Biological sex."Biological sex" means an individual person's biological sex, either male or female, at birth.
City administrator, city manager, city secretary, chief of police, or other city officers.The term "city administrator," "city manager," "city secretary," "chief of police," or other city officer or department shall be construed to mean the city administrator, city manager, city secretary, chief of police, or such other municipal officer or department, respectively, of the City of Edwardsville, Kansas.
Codes official.Whenever the terms "chief building official," "building official," "building inspector," "code enforcement officer," "electrical inspector," "health officer," "plumbing inspector," or "public official," are used in this code, such term is to be interpreted and construed as meaning the codes official, who shall be the officer or officers appointed and empowered to carry out duties as specified in this code.
Computation of time.Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done a certain length of time before any proceeding shall be had, the first day is excluded and the last day is included. If the last day of any period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period is extended to include the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
Council.Whenever the term "council" or "city council" or "the council" is used, it shall mean the city council of the City of Edwardsville, Kansas.
County.The term "county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Wyandotte, Kansas.
Delegation of authority.Whenever a provision of this Code of Ordinances requires or authorizes an officer or employee of the city to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize such officer or employee to designate, delegate, and authorize subordinates to perform the act or duty unless the terms of the provision specifically designate otherwise.
Father.The term "father" means a parent who is of the male sex.
Female.The term "female" or "woman" or "girl" when referring to a human person shall mean an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed upon maturity to produce ova.
Gender.A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships, associations and corporations, as well as to males.
Governing body.The mayor and city council of the city, or those persons appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or the city council as provided in this code.
In the city.All territory over which the city now has or shall hereafter acquire jurisdiction for the exercise of its police powers or other regulatory powers.
Joint authority.Words purporting to give authority to three (3) or more officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons, unless it is otherwise declared.
K.S.A.Kansas Statutes Annotated.
Male.The term "male" or "man" or "boy" when referring to a human person shall mean an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed upon maturity to fertilize the ova of a female.
May.The word "may" is permissive.
Month.The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.
Mother.The term "mother" means a parent who is of the female sex.
Number.Any word importing the singular number shall include the plural, and any word importing the plural number shall 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."
Official time standard.Whenever certain hours are named in this code, they shall mean standard time or daylight-saving time, as may be in current use in the city.
Or, and.The word "or" may be read "and," and the word "and" may be read "or," as the sense requires it.
Owner.The word "owner," applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or of a part of such building or land.
Person.The word "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, corporations, firms, partnerships, organizations, business trusts, estates, trusts, and bodies politic and corporate, as well as to individuals.
Preceding, following.The terms "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.
Property.The word "property" shall mean and include real and personal property.
Public official.Any public official of the city, including but not limited to the mayor, councilmembers and officials appointed by the governing body.
Real property.The term "real property" shall mean and include lands, tenements, and hereditaments.
Sidewalk.The word "sidewalk" shall mean that portion of a street between the curbline/edge of street and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
State.The term "the state" or "this state" shall be construed to mean the State of Kansas.
Street.The word "street" shall have its commonly accepted meaning and shall include highways, sidewalks, alleys, avenues, recessed parking areas, and other public rights-of-way, including the entire right-of-way.
Tenant or occupant.Applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a written or oral lease of, or who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, whether alone or with others.
Tense.Words used in the past or present tense include the future, as well as the past and present.
Written or in writing.The term "written" or "in writing" shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
Year.The word "year" shall mean a calendar year.
(Ordinance 931, sec. 1, adopted 3/24/14; Ordinance adopting Code; Ordinance 1091 adopted 10/27/2025)