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.
Agent.A person acting on behalf of another with authority conferred, either expressly or by implication.
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 Pilot Point, Texas.
Code.The municipal code of the City of Pilot Point.
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 Pilot Point, Texas.
County.The term “county” or “this county” shall mean the County of Denton, Texas.
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.
Employees.Whenever reference is made in this code to a city employee by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words “of the City of Pilot Point.”
Fee.A sum of money charged by the city for the carrying on of a business, profession or occupation.
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 terms “governing body,” “city council” and “council” shall mean the city council of this municipality. The term “councilmember” shall mean and refer to a member of the governing body of this municipality.
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.
License.The permission granted for the carrying on of a business, profession or occupation.
May.The word “may” is permissive.
Misdemeanor.Any offense so designated by law as punishable by fine, by confinement in jail or by both fine or confinement in jail.
Month.The word “month” shall mean a calendar month.
Nuisance.Anything offensive to the sensibilities of reasonable persons or any act or activity creating a hazard which threatens the health and welfare of inhabitants of the city or any activity which, by its perpetuation, can reasonably be said to have a detrimental effect on the property of a person or persons within the community.
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.”
Occupant.As applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or any part of such building or land whether alone or with others.
Offense.Any act forbidden by any provision of this code or the omission of any act required by the provisions of this code.
Officers, departments.Whenever reference is made in this code to a city officer or department by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words “of Pilot Point.”
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.
Operator.The person who is in charge of any operation, business or profession.
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.
Personal property.Shall include every description of money, goods, chattels, effects, evidence of rights in action and all written instruments by which any pecuniary obligation, right or title to property is created, acknowledged, transferred, increased, defeated, discharged or diminished and every right or interest therein.
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.
Real property.The term “real property” shall mean and include lands, tenements and hereditaments.
Retailer.Unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be understood to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things direct to the consumer.
Right-of-way.The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway or other property.
Sidewalk.The word “sidewalk” shall mean that portion of a street between the curbline 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 Texas.
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.As applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or any part of such buildings 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.
Wholesaler.The term “wholesaler” and “wholesale dealer” as used in this code, unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be understood to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things to persons who purchase for the purpose of resale.
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 adopting Code)